How to type ═ on Windows
The fastest method on a full-size keyboard is the Alt code Alt+205.
- Make sure Num Lock is on.
- Hold down the Alt key.
- Type 205 on the numeric keypad (the number row will not work).
- Release Alt. The box drawings double horizontal symbol ═ appears.
No numeric keypad?
Press Win+. to open the emoji panel, choose the Symbols tab (Ω) and search for "box drawings double horizontal". 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 "box drawings double horizontal" 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 ;box 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 2550 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 2550 in the Character code box. In Excel, the formula =UNICHAR(9552) returns the symbol.
How to type ═ in Google Docs
Open Insert → Special characters, then either search for "box drawings double horizontal" or draw the symbol in the sketch box. Click the result to insert it. In Google Sheets, use =CHAR(9552).
═ in HTML, CSS and code
| Format | Code |
|---|---|
| HTML entity | ═ |
| HTML decimal | ═ |
| HTML hex | ═ |
CSS content | "\2550" |
| JavaScript | "\u2550" |
| Python | "\u2550" |
| URL encoded | %E2%95%90 |
Because ═ is a standard Unicode character (U+2550), 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 box drawings double horizontal symbol is used
Used in ASCII/Unicode art, terminal UIs, and retro console interfaces to build double-line borders, such as a box top like ╔═══╗ or a header divider like ═══════. Often paired with ║ for vertical sides. Not to be confused with the single-line ─ (Box Drawings Light Horizontal).
Frequently asked questions
What is this symbol used for? +
It draws horizontal double lines in text-based box or table layouts, common in terminal interfaces and text art.
Is ═ the same as an equals sign? +
No, it looks similar but is a box-drawing character, not the math symbol =, and behaves differently in fonts and spacing.
What is the Alt code for the box drawings double horizontal symbol? +
The Alt code for ═ is Alt+205. Hold Alt, type 205 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 "box drawings double horizontal", and double-click it. Or copy it from this page.
How do I type the box drawings double horizontal 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: "\2550" and in JavaScript use "\u2550".