HTML Entity for Scales (⚖)
What You'll Learn
How to display the Scales symbol (⚖) in HTML using hexadecimal, decimal, and CSS escape methods. This character is U+2696 (BALANCE SCALE) in the Miscellaneous Symbols block (U+2600–U+26FF)—the classic scales-of-justice icon used in legal, judicial, and balance-themed content.
Use ⚖, ⚖, or CSS \2696. There is no named HTML entity. Do not confuse ⚖ with U+264E (♎, Libra zodiac sign) or U+2695 (⚕, staff of Aesculapius).
⚡ Quick Reference — Scales
U+2696Miscellaneous Symbols
⚖Hexadecimal reference
⚖Decimal reference
—Use numeric codes only
Name Value
──────────── ──────────
Unicode U+2696
Hex code ⚖
HTML code ⚖
Named entity (none)
CSS code \2696
Meaning Balance scale (scales of justice)
Related U+264E = Libra (♎, zodiac sign)
U+2695 = Staff of Aesculapius (⚕)Complete HTML Example
This example demonstrates the Scales symbol (⚖) using hexadecimal code, decimal HTML code, and a CSS content escape. There is no named HTML entity:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<style>
#point:after{
content: "\2696";
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<p>Scales using Hexadecimal: ⚖</p>
<p>Scales using HTML Code: ⚖</p>
<p id="point">Scales using CSS Entity: </p>
</body>
</html>🌐 Browser Support
The Scales symbol (⚖) is supported in all modern browsers when using numeric HTML entities or CSS escapes:
👀 Live Preview
See ⚖ rendered live in legal and balance contexts:
🧠 How It Works
Hexadecimal Code
⚖ uses Unicode hexadecimal 2696 to display ⚖ in HTML markup.
Decimal HTML Code
⚖ uses decimal Unicode value 9878 for the same character.
CSS Entity
\2696 is used in CSS stylesheets, particularly in the content property of pseudo-elements like ::before and ::after.
Same visual result
All three methods produce ⚖. Unicode U+2696 (BALANCE SCALE) in the Miscellaneous Symbols block. No named entity.
Use Cases
The Scales symbol (⚖) commonly appears in:
Law firm websites, attorney portfolios, and legal service pages.
Judicial content, court information, and legal education portals.
Fairness, equality, and human-rights messaging.
Comparison tools, pros/cons lists, and equilibrium concepts.
Professional logos and marketing for legal organizations.
Unicode and HTML entity reference pages.
💡 Best Practices
Do
- Use
⚖or⚖in HTML (no named entity) - Add
aria-label="Scales of justice"when the symbol conveys meaning alone - Use CSS
contentfor reusable legal icon components - Declare UTF-8 with
<meta charset="utf-8"> - Use respectfully in legal and judicial contexts
Don’t
- Confuse ⚖ (balance scale) with ♎ (Libra zodiac sign)
- Expect a named HTML entity for U+2696
- Put CSS escape
\2696in HTML text nodes - Use ⚖ casually where it implies official legal authority
- Assume every font renders ⚖ clearly at small sizes
Key Takeaways
Two HTML numeric references plus CSS insert ⚖
⚖ ⚖For CSS, use \2696 in the content property
Unicode U+2696 — BALANCE SCALE
No named entity—use hex or decimal
Not the same as ♎ (Libra zodiac sign)
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
⚖ (hex), ⚖ (decimal), or \2696 in CSS content. There is no named HTML entity. All three methods render ⚖.U+2696 (BALANCE SCALE). Miscellaneous Symbols block (U+2600–U+26FF). Hex 2696, decimal 9878. Commonly associated with justice and law.U+2696 (⚖) is BALANCE SCALE—scales of justice. U+264E (♎) is LIBRA—the zodiac/astrological sign. They serve different purposes despite both relating to balance.⚖ or ⚖) go in markup. The CSS escape \2696 belongs in stylesheets, typically in the content property of pseudo-elements. Both render ⚖.Explore More HTML Entities!
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