How to type ▬ on Windows
The fastest method on a full-size keyboard is the Alt code Alt+22.
- Make sure Num Lock is on.
- Hold down the Alt key.
- Type 22 on the numeric keypad (the number row will not work).
- Release Alt. The black rectangle symbol ▬ appears.
No numeric keypad?
Press Win+. to open the emoji panel, choose the Symbols tab (Ω) and search for "black rectangle". Or open Character Map from the Start menu, find ▬, click Select, then Copy.
How to type ▬ on a Mac
There is no direct keyboard shortcut for ▬ on a Mac.
For any symbol, the Character Viewer works: press Control+⌘+Space, type "black rectangle" in the search box and double-click the result. It will be remembered under Frequently Used.
How to type ▬ on iPhone and iPad
The iOS keyboard does not include ▬, so the reliable way is to copy it from this page, then press and hold in any text field and tap Paste.
If you use it often, create a shortcut: open Settings → General → Keyboard → Text Replacement, paste ▬ in the Phrase field and type a short code such as ;black in the Shortcut field. Typing that code will then insert ▬ anywhere.
How to type ▬ on Android
Copy the symbol from this page, then long-press in a text field and choose Paste. Gboard also keeps a clipboard history: tap the clipboard icon on the toolbar to paste it again later.
For a permanent shortcut, open Gboard settings → Dictionary → Personal dictionary, add ▬ as the word and a short code as the shortcut.
How to type ▬ in Microsoft Word
- Type the Unicode hex code 25AC where you want the symbol.
- Press Alt+X. Word converts the code into ▬.
This works on Windows in Word, Outlook and OneNote and needs no numeric keypad. You can also go to Insert → Symbol → More Symbols, set the font to a Unicode font and type 25AC in the Character code box. In Excel, the formula =UNICHAR(9644) returns the symbol.
How to type ▬ in Google Docs
Open Insert → Special characters, then either search for "black rectangle" or draw the symbol in the sketch box. Click the result to insert it. In Google Sheets, use =CHAR(9644).
▬ in HTML, CSS and code
| Format | Code |
|---|---|
| HTML entity | ▬ |
| HTML decimal | ▬ |
| HTML hex | ▬ |
CSS content | "\25AC" |
| JavaScript | "\u25AC" |
| Python | "\u25AC" |
| URL encoded | %E2%96%AC |
Because ▬ is a standard Unicode character (U+25AC), you can also paste it directly into any UTF-8 file. The escaped forms above are only needed when the file encoding is uncertain or the symbol must be entered on a keyboard without it.
Where the black rectangle symbol is used
People use it to create visual separators in plain text, such as "Section One ▬▬▬ Section Two," or as a placeholder bar in ASCII layouts. It resembles the underscore-like ▭ (White Rectangle) outline but is fully filled in.
Frequently asked questions
What does the black rectangle symbol mean? +
It has no fixed meaning; it typically serves as a decorative line, spacer, or progress-bar segment rather than conveying a specific concept.
Is the black rectangle symbol the same as an emoji? +
No, it is a plain Unicode shape character, not an emoji, so it renders the same solid color across most fonts and platforms.
What is the Alt code for the black rectangle symbol? +
The Alt code for ▬ is Alt+22. Hold Alt, type 22 on the numeric keypad, then release Alt.
How do I type ▬ on a Mac? +
There is no dedicated Mac shortcut for ▬. Open the Character Viewer with Control + Command + Space, search for "black rectangle", and double-click it. Or copy it from this page.
How do I type the black rectangle symbol on iPhone or Android? +
Phone keyboards do not include ▬ by default. Copy it from this page and paste it, or add it as a text replacement shortcut in Settings so you can type it with a short abbreviation.
What is the HTML code for ▬? +
Use ▬ in HTML. In CSS use content: "\25AC" and in JavaScript use "\u25AC".