Phi here is Latin small letter phi at Unicode U+0278 — a phonetic letter used in IPA and linguistics (ɸ). HTML5 has no named entity — use ɸ or ɸ.
Remember
Character ɸ
Unicode U+0278
Named entity (none)
Hex entity ɸ
Decimal ɸ
CSS escape \0278
Hex, decimal, and CSS all produce the same Latin letter. Do not confuse it with Greek φ (φ) or Φ (Φ).
Reference
Quick Reference
One table for every form you will actually use.
Form
Code
Where it goes
Hex entity
ɸ
HTML
Decimal entity
ɸ
HTML
CSS escape
\0278
Stylesheet content
Named entity
None
Not available for U+0278
Greek lookalikes
φ / Φ
U+03C6 / U+03A6 — different
When to Use Which
Situation
Use
IPA / phonetic Latin phi
ɸ
Need a decimal entity
ɸ
Generated text via ::before / ::after
content: "\0278"
Greek math / golden ratio (Φ)
Φ (U+03A6 — not this page)
Greek small letter phi (φ)
φ (U+03C6 — not this page)
See it
Live Preview
Latin phi in phonetic context, compared with Greek lookalikes.
ExampleIPA: /ɸɑ/
Large glyphɸ
Hex entityɸ → ɸ
vs Greekɸ | φ | Φ
With entitiesHex: ɸ | Decimal: ɸ
Code
Complete HTML Example
One page that shows Latin Phi with hex, decimal, and CSS forms. Use View Output or open the live editor.
Hex + Decimal + CSS
Three ways to render U+0278 (Latin phi ɸ) — no named entity.
Using Hex Code: ɸ
Using HTML Code: ɸ
Using CSS Entity: ɸ
Phonetic: ɸ Latin phi
How It Works
1. Hex:ɸ inserts U+0278 from its hex value → ɸ.
2. Decimal: same character as 632 → ɸ. Same visual result.
3. CSS: use \0278 only inside content (e.g. on ::after).
4. No named form: do not use φ for U+0278 — that name is for Greek U+03C6.
Pitfalls & Tips
Common mistakes when working with Latin Phi.
vs Greek
Not φ / Φ
Those named entities are Greek U+03C6 / U+03A6. Latin phonetic phi is U+0278.
Math
Not golden-ratio Φ
Math and physics usually want Greek capital Phi. Prefer Φ (U+03A6) there.
Named
No Latin named entity
HTML5 does not define a name for U+0278. Use ɸ or ɸ.
Font
Check IPA coverage
Some fonts omit Latin Extended-B. Prefer a font with solid IPA / phonetic support.
CSS vs HTML
Do not mix escapes
\0278 belongs in CSS. ɸ / ɸ belong in HTML.
Semicolon
End references
Always finish with ; — write ɸ, not ɸ.
Compatibility
Browser Support
Latin Phi (U+0278) and its entity forms (ɸ, ɸ, CSS \\0278) are supported in all mainstream browsers with a font that includes Latin Extended-B.
✓ Universal support
Phi (ɸ)
Encode with hex, decimal, or CSS escape. No named entity. Latin phonetic letter — not Greek φ.
100%Browser coverage
Google ChromeSupported
Yes
Microsoft EdgeSupported
Yes
Mozilla FirefoxSupported
Yes
Apple SafariSupported
Yes
OperaSupported
Yes
Internet ExplorerIE 9+
Yes*
U+0278Full support
Bottom line: Prefer ɸ in HTML. Use \\0278 only inside CSS content.
Remember
Key Takeaways
Unicode: Latin Phi is U+0278 (decimal 632).
HTML: prefer ɸ (also ɸ; no named entity).
CSS: use \0278 inside content.
Lookalike: not Greek φ (φ) or Φ (Φ).
One line:U+0278 → ɸ (also ɸ / CSS \0278).
Frequently Asked Questions
Use ɸ (hex), ɸ (decimal), or the CSS escape \0278 in the content property. There is no named HTML entity for U+0278.
U+0278 (LATIN SMALL LETTER PHI). Hex 0278, decimal 632. It belongs to the Latin Extended-B block.
No. Use ɸ or ɸ. The named entities φ and Φ are for Greek letters U+03C6 and U+03A6, not this Latin letter.
Use it in phonetic and linguistic notation when you need the Latin IPA-style phi ɸ — not for Greek mathematics or the golden-ratio symbol.
No. U+0278 is LATIN SMALL LETTER PHI. U+03C6 (φ) is GREEK SMALL LETTER PHI. U+03A6 (Φ) is GREEK CAPITAL LETTER PHI. Different code points.
HTML entities (ɸ or ɸ) go in markup. The CSS escape \0278 is used in stylesheets (usually in content on ::before/::after). Both render ɸ.
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Did you know?
Latin small letter Phi is Unicode U+0278 (decimal 632) — in Latin Extended-B. HTML5 has no named entity — use ɸ or ɸ. Do not confuse with Greek φ (φ, U+03C6) or Φ (Φ, U+03A6).
