Scruple (℈) is the Letterlike Symbols character at Unicode U+2108 (SCRUPLE). It marks the apothecaries’ scruple — a historical weight of 20 grains (≈ 1.296 g).
Remember
Character ℈
Unicode U+2108
Hex entity ℈
Decimal ℈
Named entity (none)
CSS escape \2108
Not the same ℥ (ounce sign) · ℇ (Euler constant)
Hex, decimal, CSS, and a typed character all produce the same glyph: ℈. Prefer ℈ when you want an explicit entity. For the larger apothecaries’ unit, see Ounce Sign (℥).
Using Hex Code: ℈
Using HTML Code: ℈
Using CSS Entity: ℈
Weight: 3 ℈
How It Works
1. Hex:U+2108 → ℈ in HTML. The browser turns it into ℈.
2. Decimal: same code point as 8456 → ℈. Same result as hex.
3. Named: HTML5 does not define a named entity for this character — use hex or decimal instead.
4. CSS: use \2108 in content (not an HTML entity). #point::after appends that ℈ after the paragraph text.
Pitfalls & Tips
Common mistakes when working with Scruple.
Look-alikes
℈ ≠ ℥ ≠ ℇ
U+2108 is scruple. U+2125 is ounce sign. U+2107 is Euler constant — similar shapes, different meanings.
Named
No &…; name
Do not invent a name. Use ℈ or ℈.
Context
Historical, not modern dosing
Prefer SI units (mg, g) for clinical work. Use ℈ only when documenting historical apothecaries’ notation.
Fonts
Glyph coverage
Letterlike Symbols coverage varies. Test fonts and provide a fallback stack for rare unit glyphs.
CSS vs HTML
Do not mix escapes
\2108 belongs in CSS. ℈ / ℈ belong in HTML.
Semicolon
End references
Always finish with ; — write ℈, not ℈.
Compatibility
Browser Support
Scruple (U+2108) and its entity forms (℈, ℈, CSS \\2108) are supported in all modern browsers. Glyph coverage depends on the font.
✓ Universal encoding
Scruple (℈)
Encode with hex, decimal, or CSS escape — or type ℈ directly in UTF-8 HTML. No named entity.
100%Browser coverage
Google ChromeSupported
Yes
Microsoft EdgeSupported
Yes
Mozilla FirefoxSupported
Yes
Apple SafariSupported
Yes
OperaSupported
Yes
Internet ExplorerIE 9+
Yes*
U+2108Full support
Bottom line: Prefer ℈ for readable HTML. Use \\2108 only inside CSS content. Do not confuse with ounce sign or Euler constant.
Remember
Key Takeaways
Unicode: this symbol is U+2108 (decimal 8456) — apothecaries’ scruple.
HTML: prefer ℈ — or use ℈. No named entity.
CSS: use \2108 inside content for generated text.
Watch out: not the same as ounce sign (U+2125) or Euler constant (U+2107).
One line:U+2108 → ℈ / ℈ / CSS \2108 (no named entity).
Frequently Asked Questions
Use ℈ (hex), ℈ (decimal), or the CSS escape \2108 in the content property. All render ℈ when the font supports Letterlike Symbols. There is no named HTML entity.
U+2108 (SCRUPLE). Hex 2108, decimal 8456. It belongs to Letterlike Symbols (U+2100–U+214F). It is an apothecaries’ weight equal to 20 grains (≈ 1.296 g).
No. HTML5 does not define a named entity for U+2108. Use numeric references like ℈ or ℈.
Use it in historical pharmacy texts, apothecaries’ weight tables, medical history docs, and specialty references that need the traditional scruple glyph — not for modern clinical dosing.
HTML entities (℈ or ℈) go in markup. The CSS escape \2108 is used in stylesheets (usually in the content property of ::before/::after). Both render ℈.
U+2108 is SCRUPLE (20 grains). U+2125 is the OUNCE SIGN (larger apothecaries’ unit). U+2107 is EULER CONSTANT — a math look-alike, not a weight.
🤔
Did you know?
Scruple is Unicode U+2108 (decimal 8456) — SCRUPLE, an apothecaries’ weight equal to 20 grains (≈ 1.296 g). HTML5 has no named entity — use ℈ or ℈. Do not confuse it with the ounce sign (U+2125) or Euler constant (U+2107).
