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Section Symbol (§)

The section symbol (§) points to a numbered section of a document — 'see § 4.2' — and §§ means several sections at once.

Section Sign · U+00A7 · Math Symbols

Click the symbol or the button to copy it, then paste it anywhere — documents, messages, bios and code.

Section Symbol codes

Code	Value
Unicode code point	`U+00A7`
Unicode name	`Section Sign`
HTML named entity	`§`
HTML decimal	`§`
HTML hex	`§`
CSS content code	`\A7`
JavaScript / JSON	`\u00A7`
Windows Alt code	`Alt+0167`
LaTeX	`\S`

Section Symbol variants (3)

3 related glyphs — click any tile to copy it. Tiles with a page open that symbol's own page.

¶Pilcrow Sign †Dagger‡Double Dagger

Meaning & usage

§ is the lawyer's favourite symbol: it refers to a specific section of a law, contract or textbook without spelling out the word. Doubled up as §§ it covers multiple sections (§§ 12–15). The shape is thought to come from two S letters stacked — S for the Latin 'signum sectionis', the mark of a section.

Its partner ¶ (the pilcrow) marks paragraphs the same way. Type it with Alt+0167 on Windows or Option+6 on a Mac.

Examples in use

As defined in § 8 of the agreement
See §§ 3–5 for the exceptions
§ 230 of the Communications Act

How to type the section symbol

Windows

Hold the Alt key and type 0167 on the numeric keypad (Num Lock on), then release Alt. The code is Alt+0167. It also works in Word with the same keys.

Mac

Press Option+6 (Mac, US keyboard layout).

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 00a7 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 § on a keyboard?

On Windows, hold Alt and type 0167 on the numeric keypad. On a Mac, press Option+6. Or copy § from this page.

What is the difference between § and ¶?

The § sign marks a section — a larger division of a document. The ¶ sign (pilcrow) marks a paragraph. Legal writing cites both: § 4, ¶ 2.

Why is § sometimes doubled?

A doubled §§ is the plural: it refers to two or more sections at once, just as 'pp.' means multiple pages.

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+00A7 (Section Sign). The character itself is fine — try a different font or a newer device, or use one of the variants on this page.

Is the Section Symbol 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.