Reversed open E (ɜ) is the Unicode character at U+025C in IPA Extensions. Official name: LATIN SMALL LETTER REVERSED OPEN E — an IPA vowel symbol (often written as a reversed epsilon). The URL says “uppercase,” but Unicode classifies it as a small letter.
Remember
Character ɜ
Unicode U+025C
Named entity (none)
Hex entity ɜ
Decimal ɜ
CSS escape \025C
Not the same ɛ · ɝ · ɞ
Prefer ɜ or ɜ in HTML markup. You can also type ɜ in UTF-8. Use it in phonetic transcription, not as a stand-in for Latin E.
Using Hex Code: ɜ
Using HTML Code: ɜ
Using CSS Entity: ɜ
Typed directly: ɜ
IPA: ɜ
How It Works
1. Hex:U+025C → ɜ in HTML. Preferred numeric form when you need an entity.
2. Decimal: same code point as 604 → ɜ. Same glyph as hex.
3. CSS: use \025C in content (not an HTML entity). #point::after appends that ɜ after the paragraph text.
4. Typed: paste ɜ in a UTF-8 page. lang="und" marks the IPA token as undetermined language.
5. No named entity: HTML5 does not define a name for U+025C — use numeric references or type the character.
Pitfalls & Tips
Common mistakes when working with U+025C.
Slug
URL says “uppercase” — Unicode says small
This path includes “uppercase,” but U+025C is LATIN SMALL LETTER REVERSED OPEN E. It is an IPA symbol, not a capital E.
vs ɛ
Not open E
ɛ (U+025B) faces the other way. ɜ and ɛ are different IPA vowels.
vs ɝ
Not the hooked form
ɝ (U+025D) adds a hook for rhotic vowels. Do not use ɜ when you need the hook.
Named
No named HTML entity
There is no named entity for U+025C. Use ɜ or ɜ.
Fonts
Needs IPA font coverage
Many UI fonts omit IPA Extensions. Prefer a stack that includes an IPA-capable font if the glyph must always show.
CSS vs HTML
Do not mix escapes
\025C belongs in CSS strings. ɜ / ɜ belong in HTML.
Compatibility
Browser Support
Reversed open E (U+025C) and its entity forms (ɜ, ɜ, CSS \\025C) are supported in all mainstream browsers. Visible glyphs depend on IPA font coverage.
✓ Universal support
Reversed Open E (ɜ)
Encode with hex, decimal, CSS escape, or type the character — same code point everywhere encoding is supported.
100%Browser coverage
Google ChromeSupported
Yes
Microsoft EdgeSupported
Yes
Mozilla FirefoxSupported
Yes
Apple SafariSupported
Yes
OperaSupported
Yes
Internet ExplorerAll versions
Yes
U+025C / entitiesFull support
Bottom line: Prefer ɜ or ɜ in HTML. Use \\025C only inside CSS content. There is no named entity.
Remember
Key Takeaways
Unicode: reversed open E is U+025C (decimal 604) — glyph ɜ.
HTML: no named entity — use ɜ / ɜ / type ɜ.
CSS: use \025C inside content for generated text.
Meaning:ɜ is an IPA small letter — not ɛ (open E), not ɝ (with hook).
One line:U+025C → ɜ / ɜ / CSS \025C (no named entity).
Frequently Asked Questions
Use ɜ (hex), ɜ (decimal), type ɜ directly in UTF-8, or the CSS escape \025C in content. There is no named HTML entity.
U+025C (LATIN SMALL LETTER REVERSED OPEN E). Hex 025C, decimal 604. It belongs to IPA Extensions (U+0250–U+02AF).
No. Use numeric references ɜ or ɜ, or type ɜ in UTF-8.
No. Despite the page URL, Unicode names it a small letter. It is an IPA symbol, not a capital E.
No. ɜ is the reversed open E. ɛ (U+025B) faces the other way. ɝ (U+025D) adds a hook (rhotic).
HTML entities (ɜ or ɜ) go in markup. The CSS escape \025C goes in stylesheet strings (usually content on ::before/::after).
🤔
Did you know?
Reversed open E is Unicode U+025C (decimal 604) — glyph ɜ in IPA Extensions (U+0250–U+02AF). Official name: LATIN SMALL LETTER REVERSED OPEN E. HTML5 has no named entity — use ɜ or ɜ. The URL says “uppercase,” but Unicode classifies this as a small letter. Do not confuse with open E U+025B (ɛ) or reversed open E with hook U+025D (ɝ).
