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Asterisk Symbol (*)
The asterisk (*) is the little star that points to footnotes, marks corrections, and hides passwords.
Asterisk codes
| Code | Value |
|---|---|
| Unicode code point | U+002A |
| Unicode name | Asterisk |
| HTML named entity | * |
| HTML decimal | * |
| HTML hex | * |
| CSS content code | \2A |
| JavaScript / JSON | \u002A |
| Windows Alt code | No standard Alt code — copy it from the card above |
Asterisk variants (7)
7 related glyphs — click any tile to copy it. Tiles with a page open that symbol's own page.
Meaning & usage
Asterisk is Greek for 'little star', and the symbol has flagged extra information for over two thousand years. It sends readers to footnotes (*terms apply), marks a corrected word in chat (I meant *their), stands in for letters in censored words, and multiplies numbers in spreadsheets and code. On a standard keyboard it is Shift+8, and on the number pad it has its own key — one reason it became computing's favourite spare symbol.
Examples in use
- Free delivery* (*on orders over $50)
- Sorry, I meant *tomorrow
- Price * quantity in a spreadsheet formula
How to type the asterisk
Windows
Press Shift+8 — the Asterisk is a standard keyboard character.
Mac
Press Shift+8 — the same as on Windows.
iPhone & Android
Most phone keyboards have no built-in key for *. Open this page on your phone, tap Copy, then paste it into your message or bio. (On Android, Gboard's emoji search finds some symbols by name.)
Linux
Press Ctrl+Shift+U, type 002a and press Enter (works in most GTK apps and terminals with IBus). Or copy it from this page.
Frequently asked questions
How do I type an asterisk?
Press Shift+8 on the main keyboard, or use the * key on the numeric keypad. On phones it is in the symbol keyboard.
What does *** mean in texting?
Three asterisks often separate scenes or sections in informal writing, censor a word, or set off an action like ***sigh***.
Why does * sometimes show as a box or question mark?
The box (called tofu) means the device or font viewing it has no drawing for U+002A (Asterisk). The character itself is fine — try a different font or a newer device, or use one of the variants on this page.
Is the Asterisk free to use?
Yes. * is a standard Unicode text character published in the Unicode Character Database. You may use it in personal and commercial documents, designs and products without permission or payment.
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Data: Unicode Character Database · Page updated 2026-11-13