HTML Entity for Union (∪)

Beginner
⏱️ 5 min read
📚 Updated: Jun 2026
🎯 1 Code Example
Unicode U+222A
HTML entity for Union (U+222A) — named ∪, hex, decimal, and CSS tutorial

What You'll Learn

How to display the Union symbol (∪) in HTML using named, hexadecimal, decimal, and CSS entity methods. This character is U+222A (UNION) in the Mathematical Operators block (U+2200–U+22FF)—the set union operator combining all elements from two sets.

Render it with ∪, ∪, ∪, or CSS escape \222A. Compare ∩ (intersection, U+2229, ∩) or ⋃ (n-ary union, U+22C3, ⋃) for related set operators.

⚡ Quick Reference — Union

Unicode U+222A

Mathematical Operators block

Hex Code ∪

Hexadecimal reference

HTML Code ∪

Decimal reference

Named Entity ∪

Standard HTML entity

Reference Table
Name           Value
────────────   ──────────
Unicode        U+222A
Hex code       ∪
HTML code      ∪
Named entity   ∪
CSS code       \222A
Meaning        Set union (binary)
Related        U+2229 = intersection (∩, ∩)
               U+22C3 = n-ary union (⋃, ⋃)
Block          Mathematical Operators (U+2200–U+22FF)
1

Complete HTML Example

A simple example showing ∪ using the named entity, hexadecimal code, decimal HTML code, and a CSS content escape:

html
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
 <style>
  #point::after{
   content: "\222A";
  }
 </style>
</head>
<body>
<p>Union (named): &cup;</p>
<p>Union (hex): &#x222A;</p>
<p>Union (decimal): &#8746;</p>
<p id="point">Union (CSS): </p>
</body>
</html>
Try it Yourself

🌐 Browser Support

U+222A and the &cup; named entity are supported in modern browsers when rendered with a font that includes Mathematical Operators:

Chrome 1+
Firefox 1+
Safari 1+
Edge 12+
Opera 4+
Android 4.4+
iOS Safari 1+

👀 Live Preview

See the Union symbol (∪) in mathematical and set-theory contexts:

Large glyph ∪
Set theory A ∪ B = {x | x ∈ A or x ∈ B}
Named entity A &cup; B
Venn diagram Elements in A ∪ B
Numeric refs &#x222A; &#8746;

🧠 How It Works

1

Named HTML Entity

&cup; is the most readable method for displaying the Union symbol. It is part of the standard HTML mathematical entity set.

HTML markup
2

Hexadecimal Code

&#x222A; uses the Unicode hexadecimal value 222A to display the Union symbol.

HTML markup
3

Decimal HTML Code

&#8746; uses the decimal Unicode value 8746 to display the same character.

HTML markup
4

CSS Entity

\222A is used in CSS stylesheets in the content property of pseudo-elements like ::before and ::after.

CSS stylesheet
=

Same visual result

All four methods produce: ∪. Unicode U+222A in the Mathematical Operators block. Prefer &cup; for readable source. Serve HTML as UTF-8.

✅

Use Cases

The Union symbol (∪) is commonly used in:

📊 Set theory

Combining elements from two sets in mathematical notation.

📝 Mathematical expressions

Equations, formulas, and proofs in academic content.

📖 Academic papers

Research documents and scholarly publications.

⚙️ Logic & CS

Boolean algebra and formal logic notation.

📚 Education

Textbooks, tutorials, and Venn diagram explanations.

🔬 Scientific content

Technical documentation and educational platforms.

💡 Best Practices

Do

  • Use &cup; for readable HTML in mathematical markup
  • Use math-friendly fonts (Cambria Math, STIX, Latin Modern Math)
  • Pair ∪ with set names or variables for screen reader context
  • Use &bigcup; (U+22C3) for indexed families of sets
  • Serve pages with UTF-8 (<meta charset="utf-8">)

Don’t

  • Confuse ∪ (union U+222A) with ∩ (intersection U+2229) or ⋃ (n-ary union U+22C3)
  • Use U+0222A or CSS \0222A—the correct value is U+222A and \222A
  • Put CSS escape \222A in HTML text nodes
  • Use a plain U character or letter U as a substitute for ∪
  • Assume decorative fonts include Mathematical Operators glyphs

Key Takeaways

1

Preferred named entity renders ∪

&cup;
2

Numeric HTML references also work

&#x222A; &#8746;
3

For CSS stylesheets, use \222A in content

4

Unicode U+222A — UNION (set union)

5

Four methods, one glyph — Mathematical Operators block

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Use &cup; (named), &#x222A; (hex), &#8746; (decimal), or \222A in CSS content. All four produce ∪.
U+222A (UNION). Mathematical Operators block (U+2200–U+22FF). Hex 222A, decimal 8746, named entity &cup;. Represents set union in mathematics.
In mathematical expressions, set theory, logic, academic papers, scientific content, educational materials, and any content representing the union of two sets.
&cup; renders U+222A (∪), the binary set union. &bigcup; renders U+22C3 (⋃), the n-ary union operator for indexed families of sets. Different characters for different mathematical contexts.
&cup; is the most readable method in HTML source. Numeric codes (&#8746; or &#x222A;) are equally valid. CSS escape \222A belongs in stylesheets.

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About the author

Mari Selvan M P
Mari Selvan M P 🔗

Developer, cloud engineer, and technical writer

  • Experience 12 years building web and cloud systems
  • Focus Full Stack Development, AWS, and Developer Education

I write practical tutorials so students and working developers can learn by doing—from databases and APIs to deployment on AWS.

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