HTML Entity for Reference Mark (※)
What You'll Learn
How to display the Reference Mark (※) in HTML using hexadecimal, decimal, and CSS escape methods. This character is U+203B (REFERENCE MARK) in the General Punctuation block (U+2000–U+206F)—widely used for footnotes, citations, and editorial reference notes, especially in East Asian typography where it is called kome (米).
Render it with ※, ※, or CSS escape \203B. There is no named HTML entity. Do not confuse ※ with an asterisk (*), dagger (†), or section sign (§).
⚡ Quick Reference — Reference Mark
U+203BGeneral Punctuation (U+2000–U+206F)
※Hexadecimal reference
※Decimal reference
—Use numeric codes only
Name Value
──────────── ──────────
Unicode U+203B
Hex code ※
HTML code ※
Named entity (none)
CSS code \203B
Meaning Reference mark (kome)
Also called Japanese kome (米), annotation mark
Related U+2020 = dagger (†)
U+002A = asterisk (*)
U+00A7 = section sign (§)
Block General Punctuation (U+2000–U+206F)Complete HTML Example
A simple example showing ※ using hexadecimal code, decimal HTML code, and a CSS content escape:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<style>
#point::after{
content: "\203B";
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<p>Reference mark (hex): ※</p>
<p>Reference mark (decimal): ※</p>
<p id="point">Reference mark (CSS): </p>
</body>
</html>🌐 Browser Support
The Reference Mark (※) is widely supported in all modern browsers:
👀 Live Preview
See the Reference Mark (※) in common typographic contexts:
🧠 How It Works
Hexadecimal Code
※ uses the Unicode hexadecimal value 203B to display the reference mark.
Decimal HTML Code
※ uses the decimal Unicode value 8251 for the same character.
CSS Entity
\203B is used in CSS stylesheets in the content property of pseudo-elements for icons or labels.
Reference mark result
All three methods render ※. Unicode U+203B in General Punctuation. Next: Registered Trade Mark Sign.
Use Cases
The Reference Mark (※) is commonly used in:
Inline reference markers linking to notes at the bottom of articles or pages.
Academic papers, bibliographies, and editorial reference annotations.
Japanese, Korean, and Chinese content using kome-style reference marks.
Technical docs, legal text, and manuals with cross-reference notes.
Character pickers, entity documentation, and punctuation symbol guides.
Pair ※ with linked footnote text; use aria-describedby for screen readers.
💡 Best Practices
Do
- Use
※or※for inline reference marks - Link footnote markers to their corresponding note with
<a href> - Set
<meta charset="utf-8">for reliable rendering - Use ※ when East Asian reference typography is expected
- Pick one numeric style per project for consistency
Don’t
- Confuse ※ with asterisk *, dagger †, or section sign §
- Use padded Unicode notation like U+0203B—the correct value is
U+203B - Use CSS escape
\203Bin HTML text nodes - Rely on ※ alone without a linked or visible footnote for accessibility
- Assume every font renders General Punctuation identically—test your typeface
Key Takeaways
Two HTML numeric references plus CSS for U+203B
※ ※For CSS stylesheets, use \203B in the content property
Unicode U+203B — REFERENCE MARK (kome)
Distinct from asterisk *, dagger †, and section sign §
Previous: Type 7 Plastics (♹) Next: Registered Trade Mark Sign
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
※ (hex), ※ (decimal), or \203B in CSS content. There is no named entity. All three render ※.U+203B (REFERENCE MARK). General Punctuation block (U+2000–U+206F). Hex 203B, decimal 8251. Also called kome in Japanese typography.Explore More HTML Entities!
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