Prime (′) is the Unicode character at U+2032 in the General Punctuation block. Official name: PRIME. It is used for feet, arcminutes / minutes of time, and first-order primes in math — not for prime numbers.
Remember
Character ′
Unicode U+2032
Named entity ′
Hex entity ′
Decimal ′
CSS escape \2032
Not the same ″ · ' · ‴
Prefer ′ in HTML markup (lowercase p). You can also type ′ in UTF-8, or use numeric forms when needed.
Prime using Named Entity: ′
Prime using Hex Code: ′
Prime using HTML Code: ′
Prime using CSS Entity: ′
Typed directly: ′
Height: 5′ 10″
First derivative: f′(x)
How It Works
1. Named:′ is the HTML5 name for U+2032 → ′. Best default in markup (lowercase p).
2. Hex:U+2032 → ′ in HTML. Same glyph as the named form.
3. Decimal: same code point as 8242 → ′. Same result as hex and named.
4. CSS: use \2032 in content (not an HTML entity). #point::after appends that ′ after the paragraph text.
5. Typed / uses: paste ′ in UTF-8, or write 5′ 10″ and f′(x) for real-world examples.
Pitfalls & Tips
Common mistakes when working with Prime.
Case
Lowercase p matters
′ is single prime (′). ″ is double prime (″). The names are case-sensitive.
'
Not an apostrophe
The ASCII apostrophe ' (U+0027) is for quotes and contractions. Use ′ for units and math primes.
Numbers
Not prime numbers
Do not use ′ to mean prime numbers (2, 3, 5…). Write the word “prime” or use math notation instead.
″
Pair with double prime
For height like 5′ 10″, use ′ for feet and ″ for inches.
CSS vs HTML
Do not mix escapes
\2032 belongs in CSS strings. ′ / ′ / ′ belong in HTML.
Semicolon
End named entities
Always finish with ; — write ′, not &prime.
Compatibility
Browser Support
Prime (U+2032) and its entity forms (′, ′, ′, CSS \\2032) are supported in all mainstream browsers. Visible glyphs depend on punctuation font coverage.
✓ Universal support
Prime (′)
Encode with named, hex, decimal, CSS escape, or type the character — same code point everywhere encoding is supported.
100%Browser coverage
Google ChromeSupported
Yes
Microsoft EdgeSupported
Yes
Mozilla FirefoxSupported
Yes
Apple SafariSupported
Yes
OperaSupported
Yes
Internet ExplorerAll versions
Yes
U+2032 / entitiesFull support
Bottom line: Prefer ′ in HTML. Use ′ / ′ when numeric form is required, and \\2032 only inside CSS content.
Remember
Key Takeaways
Unicode: prime is U+2032 (decimal 8242) — glyph ′.
HTML: prefer ′ — also ′ / ′ / type ′.
CSS: use \2032 inside content for generated text.
Meaning:′ = feet / minutes / first prime — not ″, not ', not prime numbers.
Use ′ (named), ′ (hex), ′ (decimal), type ′ directly in UTF-8, or the CSS escape \2032 in content. Prefer ′ in normal HTML.
U+2032 (PRIME). Hex 2032, decimal 8242. It belongs to the General Punctuation block (U+2000–U+206F).
Yes. Use ′ (lowercase p). Numeric forms ′ and ′ also work. Do not use ″ — that is the double prime U+2033.
Use it for feet (e.g. 5′ 10″), arcminutes or minutes of time, and first-order primes in math (f′). Prefer ″ for inches / arcseconds / second derivatives.
No. ′ is a punctuation prime mark for units and derivatives — not for denoting prime numbers like 2, 3, or 5.
No. ′ is ′ (U+2032). The ASCII apostrophe ' is U+0027 — a different character used for quotes and contractions.
🤔
Did you know?
Prime is Unicode U+2032 (decimal 8242) — glyph ′ in the General Punctuation block. HTML5 names it ′ (lowercase p). Common uses: feet, arcminutes / minutes of time, and the first derivative in math (e.g. f′(x)). Double prime is ″ (U+2033). It does not mean prime numbers.
