HTML Entity for Proportional (∷)
What You'll Learn
How to display the proportion symbol (∷) in HTML using various entity methods. This operator expresses a proportion between ratios—for example a:b∷c:d means “a is to b as c is to d.”
This character is part of the Mathematical Operators Unicode block and can be rendered with a hexadecimal reference, a decimal reference, the named entity ∷, or a CSS escape in the content property. Do not confuse ∷ with the punctuation colon : or with U+221D (∝, proportional to).
⚡ Quick Reference — Proportional (Proportion)
U+2237Mathematical Operators block
∷Hexadecimal reference
∷Decimal reference
∷Most readable option
Name Value
──────────── ──────────
Unicode U+2237
Hex code ∷
HTML code ∷
Named entity ∷
CSS code \2237
Meaning Proportion (as in a:b::c:d)
Related U+221D = Proportional to (∝)
U+003A = Colon punctuation (:)
Block Mathematical Operators (U+2200–U+22FF)Complete HTML Example
A simple example showing ∷ using hexadecimal code, decimal HTML code, the named entity, and a CSS content escape:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<style>
#point::after{
content: "\2237";
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<p>Ratio (hex): 2:3 ∷ 4:6</p>
<p>Ratio (decimal): 2:3 ∷ 4:6</p>
<p>Ratio (named): 2:3 ∷ 4:6</p>
<p>Ratio (CSS): 2:3 <span id="point"></span> 4:6</p>
</body>
</html>🌐 Browser Support
The proportion entity is universally supported in all modern browsers:
👀 Live Preview
See ∷ rendered live in different contexts:
🧠 How It Works
Hexadecimal Code
∷ uses the Unicode hexadecimal value 2237 to display the proportion symbol. The x prefix indicates hexadecimal format.
Decimal HTML Code
∷ uses the decimal Unicode value 8759 to display the same character.
CSS Entity
\2237 is used in CSS stylesheets, particularly in the content property of pseudo-elements like ::before and ::after.
Named Entity
∷ is the semantic named entity for proportion — note the capital C; it is not the punctuation colon.
Same visual result
All four methods produce: ∷. Unicode U+2237 in the Mathematical Operators block (U+2200–U+22FF).
Use Cases
The proportion symbol (∷) commonly appears in:
Similar triangles and ratio statements: a:b ∷ c:d.
Mathematics texts expressing proportional relationships between ratios.
School math lessons on ratios, proportions, and cross-multiplication.
Online references and wikis on ratio and proportion notation.
Character tables and Mathematical Operators guides.
Comparing scale factors and equivalent ratio pairs in reports.
Pair ∷ with “is proportional to” or read as “as” in ratio context.
💡 Best Practices
Do
- Use
∷for readable proportion markup - Distinguish ∷ from ∝ (proportional to) and from
:(colon) - Pick one style (hex / decimal / named) per project
- Use MathML or LaTeX for complex multi-line formulas when appropriate
- Test rendering across browsers and math fonts
Don’t
- Substitute a plain colon
:when ∷ (∷) is the intended operator - Confuse ∷ with ∝ (proportional to, ∝)
- Assume
:(lowercase) renders ∷—it does not - Use CSS escape
\2237inside HTML text nodes - Use HTML entities in JS (use
\u2237instead)
Key Takeaways
Three HTML references all render ∷
∷ ∷ ∷For CSS stylesheets, use the escape in the content property
\2237Unicode U+2237 belongs to the Mathematical Operators block (U+2200–U+22FF)
Named entity is ∷ (capital C)—not the punctuation colon
Previous: Property Line (⅊) Next: Proportional To (∝)
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
∷ (hex), ∷ (decimal), ∷ (named), or \2237 in CSS content. All produce ∷.U+2237 (PROPORTION). Mathematical Operators block. Hex 2237, decimal 8759.∷) is the proportion operator for ratio statements like a:b ∷ c:d. ∝ (U+221D, ∝) is proportional to—a different symbol for direct proportionality.∷ is the standard HTML named entity for U+2237 (PROPORTION). It is not the punctuation colon (:).∷, ∷, and ∷ are equivalent in modern browsers and all render ∷.Explore More HTML Entities!
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