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Slash Symbol (/)
The slash (/) separates alternatives, builds fractions and web addresses — and it leans forward, unlike its cousin the backslash.
Slash codes
| Code | Value |
|---|---|
| Unicode code point | U+002F |
| Unicode name | Solidus |
| HTML named entity | / |
| HTML decimal | / |
| HTML hex | / |
| CSS content code | \2F |
| JavaScript / JSON | \u002F |
| Windows Alt code | No standard Alt code — copy it from the card above |
Slash variants (5)
5 related glyphs — click any tile to copy it. Tiles with a page open that symbol's own page.
Meaning & usage
The / is the hardest-working diagonal in text: and/or, per-unit prices ($5/kg), dates (12/11), fractions (1/2), poetry line breaks, and every web address ever typed. Its mirror image \ (backslash) belongs to Windows file paths and code escapes — the two are not interchangeable, which is why 'forward slash' is worth saying out loud. In speech, / is 'slash' or 'stroke' in British usage ('24/7' is 'twenty-four seven').
Examples in use
- https://symbolsbase.com/ — slashes build URLs
- Speed limit 50 km/h
- and/or — the famous doublet
How to type the slash
Windows
There is no Alt code or direct key for /. In Microsoft Word, type 002F 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 "Slash", 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 002f and press Enter (works in most GTK apps and terminals with IBus). Or copy it from this page.
Frequently asked questions
Slash vs backslash — which is which?
The slash / leans forward (top to the right) and is used in URLs, fractions and text. The backslash \ leans backward and lives in Windows paths like C:\Users and in programming escapes.
Why is / called a 'solidus' or 'virgule'?
Old names from its history: the solidus was a Roman coin whose name attached to shilling marks (5/-), and 'virgule' is French for the stroke used to separate verse lines.
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+002F (Solidus). The character itself is fine — try a different font or a newer device, or use one of the variants on this page.
Is the Slash 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