HTML Entity for Squared Minus (⊟)

What You'll Learn
How to display the Squared Minus (⊟) in HTML using named, hexadecimal, decimal, and CSS escape methods. This character is U+229F (SQUARED MINUS) in the Mathematical Operators block (U+2200–U+22FF)—a boxed minus sign used in mathematical notation.
Render it with ⊟, ⊟, ⊟, or CSS \229F. For complex formulas, consider MathML or LaTeX renderers; for inline operator symbols, HTML entities work well.
⚡ Quick Reference — Squared Minus
U+229FMathematical Operators
⊟Hexadecimal reference
⊟Decimal reference
⊟Most readable option
Name Value
──────────── ──────────
Unicode U+229F
Hex code ⊟
HTML code ⊟
Named entity ⊟
CSS code \229F
Meaning Squared minus
Block Mathematical Operators (U+2200–U+22FF)Complete HTML Example
A simple example showing ⊟ using the named entity, hexadecimal code, decimal HTML code, and a CSS content escape:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<style>
#point::after{
content: "\229F";
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<p>Squared minus (named): ⊟</p>
<p>Squared minus (hex): ⊟</p>
<p>Squared minus (decimal): ⊟</p>
<p id="point">Squared minus (CSS): </p>
</body>
</html>🌐 Browser Support
Squared Minus (⊟) is supported in all modern browsers when fonts include Mathematical Operators glyphs:
👀 Live Preview
See the squared minus operator in mathematical contexts:
🧠 How It Works
Named HTML Entity
⊟ is the semantic named entity for the squared minus operator—the most readable option in source HTML.
Hexadecimal Code
⊟ uses Unicode hexadecimal 229F to display ⊟ in HTML markup.
Decimal HTML Code
⊟ uses decimal Unicode value 8863 for the same character.
CSS Entity
\229F is used in CSS stylesheets in the content property of pseudo-elements like ::after.
Same visual result
All four methods produce ⊟. Unicode U+229F in Mathematical Operators (U+2200–U+22FF).
Use Cases
Squared Minus (⊟) commonly appears in:
Equations and formulas using boxed minus operators.
API references and developer guides with math operator notation.
Research documents and scholarly publications on mathematical concepts.
Tutorials and instructional materials about mathematical operators.
Technical reports requiring precise mathematical notation.
Web-based math tools and interactive learning applications.
💡 Best Practices
Do
- Use
⊟for readable source markup - Provide context when using ⊟ in mathematical expressions
- Use MathML or dedicated math renderers for complex nested formulas
- Pick one entity style (named, hex, or decimal) per project
- Test rendering with math-friendly fonts
Don’t
- Use padded Unicode notation like U+0229F—the correct value is
U+229F - Use CSS
\0229Fwith a leading zero—prefer\229F - Confuse ⊟ with regular minus − (
−) or hyphen-minus - - Expect HTML entities alone to handle full equation layout
- Put CSS escape
\229Fin HTML text nodes
Key Takeaways
Four HTML/CSS references all render ⊟
⊟ ⊟ ⊟For CSS stylesheets, use \229F in the content property
Unicode U+229F — SQUARED MINUS (⊟)
⊟ is the standard named entity for this operator
Previous: Squared Dot Operator Next: Squared Plus
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
⊟ (named), ⊟ (hex), ⊟ (decimal), or \229F in CSS content. All four render ⊟.U+229F (SQUARED MINUS). Mathematical Operators (U+2200–U+22FF). Hex 229F, decimal 8863, named ⊟.⊟ is more readable and easier to remember. Numeric codes (⊟ or ⊟) are explicit and work in all contexts. Both produce ⊟; prefer the named entity for readability.⊟, ⊟, or ⊟) go in markup. The CSS escape \229F is used in stylesheets, typically in the content property of ::before or ::after. Same visual result, different layers of the stack.Explore More HTML Entities!
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