How to type ■ on Windows
The fastest method on a full-size keyboard is the Alt code Alt+254.
- Make sure Num Lock is on.
- Hold down the Alt key.
- Type 254 on the numeric keypad (the number row will not work).
- Release Alt. The black square symbol ■ appears.
No numeric keypad?
Press Win+. to open the emoji panel, choose the Symbols tab (Ω) and search for "black square". 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 square" 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 25A0 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 25A0 in the Character code box. In Excel, the formula =UNICHAR(9632) returns the symbol.
How to type ■ in Google Docs
Open Insert → Special characters, then either search for "black square" or draw the symbol in the sketch box. Click the result to insert it. In Google Sheets, use =CHAR(9632).
■ in HTML, CSS and code
| Format | Code |
|---|---|
| HTML entity | ▪ |
| HTML decimal | ■ |
| HTML hex | ■ |
CSS content | "\25A0" |
| JavaScript | "\u25A0" |
| Python | "\u25A0" |
| LaTeX | \blacksquare |
| URL encoded | %E2%96%A0 |
Because ■ is a standard Unicode character (U+25A0), 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 square symbol is used
Common as a bullet point in lists, a checklist marker, or a stop symbol in media transcripts, like "■ Item one" or "■ Stop." It also appears as an ideographic mark in East Asian text. Some confuse it with the smaller white square □ or the checkered ▪.
Frequently asked questions
What does the black square symbol mean? +
It usually marks emphasis, a list item, or a placeholder for missing or redacted content, depending on context.
Is the black square used in Unicode text as a censorship mark? +
Yes, it's sometimes used informally to represent redacted or blocked-out text, similar to a censor bar.
What is the Alt code for the black square symbol? +
The Alt code for ■ is Alt+254. Hold Alt, type 254 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 square", and double-click it. Or copy it from this page.
How do I type the black square 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. The numeric form ■ works too. In CSS use content: "\25A0" and in JavaScript use "\u25A0".