HTML Entity - Black Square
Black Square is a geometric shapes used in UI design, diagrams, and visual layouts. This HTML entity enables web developers to display this character reliably across all browsers without encoding issues.
U+25A0
▪
\25A0
Use this HTML entity in user interfaces, bullet lists, diagrams, and visual design elements like ■ for filled squares and ● for bullets.
About Black Square
The black square (■) is a solid geometric-shape character. Its code point is U+25A0, and in HTML you can write the named entity ▪ or the numeric forms ■ and ■.
It belongs to the Unicode Geometric Shapes block, alongside the white square (□, U+25A1), the small black square (▪, U+25AA) and the small white square (▫, U+25AB). Because the shapes come in several sizes, pick the one whose visual weight fits your layout rather than forcing a large square where a small one is intended.
The black square is widely used as a bullet or list marker, a decorative divider, and a compact status indicator. In print and typography it is a classic dingbat. On the web it often appears in placeholders, ratings and simple charts where a solid block communicates "filled" or "on".
Encoding and input: in HTML use ▪ or the numeric reference. You can also paste the character directly in a UTF-8 document, or insert it from a symbols or emoji picker. As a bullet, it is common to use it inside a list-style or as a decorative span rather than as meaningful text content.
Accessibility and semantics matter. A decorative square should not be read aloud by a screen reader, so mark purely visual uses with aria-hidden or place them in CSS-generated content. If a square conveys real information, such as a filled rating cell, provide a text label so the meaning is available to everyone.
Finally, be careful when matching or searching. The black square, the white square and the small variants are different code points that look similar at small sizes. If you use them as data markers, store the exact character and test how they render across the fonts and platforms your users rely on.
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using a letter or number instead of ■ for UI bullet points
Fix: Use ■ or ▪ for filled square bullets in lists. Using letters or numbers where a bullet is expected looks unprofessional.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the HTML entity for a black square?
Use ▪ or the numeric forms ■ and ■. All render the same ■ character (U+25A0).
What is the difference between ■ and □?
■ is the black (filled) square U+25A0, while □ is the white (outline) square U+25A1. They are different code points.
What are the small square variants for?
Unicode also provides small black and small white squares (U+25AA and U+25AB) for when a lighter weight fits better than the full-size shapes.
Can I use a black square as a bullet?
Yes. It is a common bullet style. Prefer setting it through list styling or as a decorative element, and keep it out of the accessible text.
Is it safe to use squares as data markers?
Yes, but store the exact code point. The black, white and small squares look similar at small sizes and are easy to mix up in data.
How should I make a decorative square accessible?
Mark purely visual squares with aria-hidden="true", or generate them with CSS. If the square carries meaning, add a text label.
Black Square
Select any code to highlight it before copying.
| Unicode | U+25A0 |
|---|---|
| Hex Code | ■ |
| HTML Code | ■ |
| HTML Entity | ▪ |
| CSS Code | \25A0 |
| Windows Shortcut | |
| Mac Shortcut | |