HTML Entity for Set Minus (∖)
What You'll Learn
How to display the Set Minus (∖) in HTML using hexadecimal, decimal, named entity, and CSS escape methods. This character is U+2216 (SET MINUS) in the Mathematical Operators block (U+2200–U+22FF)—used for set difference in set theory (elements in one set that are not in another).
Render it with ∖, ∖, the named entity ∖, or CSS \2216. Do not confuse ∖ with U+2212 (−, arithmetic minus, −) or the ASCII hyphen -.
⚡ Quick Reference — Set Minus
U+2216Mathematical Operators
∖Hexadecimal reference
∖Decimal reference
∖Most readable for set theory
Name Value
──────────── ──────────
Unicode U+2216
Hex code ∖
HTML code ∖
Named entity ∖
CSS code \2216
Meaning Set difference (set minus)
Example A ∖ B
Not the same U+2212 = minus sign (−, −)
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: "\2216";
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<p>Set minus (hex): ∖</p>
<p>Set minus (decimal): ∖</p>
<p>Set minus (named): ∖</p>
<p id="point">Set minus (CSS): </p>
</body>
</html>🌐 Browser Support
The Set Minus (∖) is supported in all modern browsers:
👀 Live Preview
See the Set Minus in set theory and mathematical contexts:
∖ renders as ∖🧠 How It Works
Hexadecimal Code
∖ uses Unicode hexadecimal 2216 to display the set minus symbol.
Decimal HTML Code
∖ uses decimal Unicode value 8726 for the same character.
Named Entity
∖ is the standard named entity for U+2216—readable in set theory markup.
CSS Entity
\2216 is used in CSS stylesheets in the content property of pseudo-elements.
Same visual result
All four methods produce ∖. Unicode U+2216 in Mathematical Operators. Next: Shadowed White Circle.
Use Cases
The Set Minus (∖) commonly appears in:
Set difference notation (e.g. A ∖ B) in proofs and definitions.
Mathematics and computer science publications with set operations.
Textbooks, lecture notes, and tutorials on discrete mathematics.
Algorithm explanations involving set operations and data structures.
Educational content describing regions outside overlapping sets.
Math operator and HTML entity reference pages.
💡 Best Practices
Do
- Use
∖for readable set theory markup - Use ∖ for set difference, not arithmetic subtraction
- Consider MathML for complex multi-line equations
- Pair symbols with explanatory text on first use
- Pick one entity style per project for consistency
Don’t
- Confuse ∖ (set minus) with − (minus sign,
−) - Use padded Unicode notation like U+02216—the correct value is
U+2216 - Use CSS escape
\2216in HTML text nodes - Substitute ASCII hyphen
-for set difference notation - Assume every font renders ∖ clearly at small sizes
Key Takeaways
Four ways to render U+2216 in HTML and CSS
∖ ∖For CSS stylesheets, use \2216 in the content property
Unicode U+2216 — SET MINUS (set difference)
Not the same as minus sign − (−)
Previous: Service Mark (℠) Next: Shadowed White Circle
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
∖ (hex), ∖ (decimal), ∖ (named), or \2216 in CSS content. All four render ∖.U+2216 (SET MINUS). Mathematical Operators (U+2200–U+22FF). Hex 2216, decimal 8726, named ∖.∖) is set difference in set theory. − (U+2212, −) is the minus sign for arithmetic subtraction.∖ is the standard named HTML entity for U+2216 and is the most readable option in set theory markup.Explore More HTML Entities!
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