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Dagger Symbol (†)
The dagger (†) is the second footnote mark — after the asterisk comes the dagger, pointing to notes and marking the deceased.
Dagger codes
| Code | Value |
|---|---|
| Unicode code point | U+2020 |
| Unicode name | Dagger |
| HTML named entity | † |
| HTML decimal | † |
| HTML hex | † |
| CSS content code | \2020 |
| JavaScript / JSON | \u2020 |
| Windows Alt code | No standard Alt code — copy it from the card above |
Dagger variants (3)
3 related glyphs — click any tile to copy it. Tiles with a page open that symbol's own page.
Meaning & usage
The †, also called an obelisk, is the asterisk's understudy: footnotes run *, †, ‡ (double dagger) in order. Genealogists and biographers put † before a death year (born 1901 † 1977), biologists mark extinct species with it (†dodo), and dictionaries flag obsolete words.
Its shape echoes a sword or cross, which is why it suits memorial uses. Alt+0134 types the single dagger on Windows.
Examples in use
- John Smith (1880–†1944) in old notation
- The dodo (†Raphus cucullatus) is extinct
- First note* … second note†
How to type the dagger
Windows
There is no Alt code or direct key for †. In Microsoft Word, type 2020 and press Alt+X to convert it. Everywhere else, click the Copy button at the top of this page and paste it (Ctrl+V) — that always works.
Mac
There is no Option-key shortcut for † on a Mac. Open the Character Viewer with Control+Command+Space, search for "Dagger", and double-click to insert — or copy it from this page.
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 2020 and press Enter (works in most GTK apps and terminals with IBus). Or copy it from this page.
Frequently asked questions
What order do footnote symbols go in?
The traditional order is asterisk *, dagger †, double dagger ‡, then section § and parallels — restarting on each page in books.
How do I type † on a keyboard?
On Windows, hold Alt and type 0134 on the numeric keypad. Or copy † from this page.
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+2020 (Dagger). The character itself is fine — try a different font or a newer device, or use one of the variants on this page.
Is the Dagger 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