How to type ╣ on Windows
The fastest method on a full-size keyboard is the Alt code Alt+185.
- Make sure Num Lock is on.
- Hold down the Alt key.
- Type 185 on the numeric keypad (the number row will not work).
- Release Alt. The box drawings double vertical and left symbol ╣ appears.
No numeric keypad?
Press Win+. to open the emoji panel, choose the Symbols tab (Ω) and search for "box drawings double vertical and left". 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 vertical and left" 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 2563 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 2563 in the Character code box. In Excel, the formula =UNICHAR(9571) returns the symbol.
How to type ╣ in Google Docs
Open Insert → Special characters, then either search for "box drawings double vertical and left" or draw the symbol in the sketch box. Click the result to insert it. In Google Sheets, use =CHAR(9571).
╣ in HTML, CSS and code
| Format | Code |
|---|---|
| HTML entity | ╣ |
| HTML decimal | ╣ |
| HTML hex | ╣ |
CSS content | "\2563" |
| JavaScript | "\u2563" |
| Python | "\u2563" |
| URL encoded | %E2%95%A3 |
Because ╣ is a standard Unicode character (U+2563), 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 vertical and left symbol is used
Used in text-based user interfaces, ASCII/Unicode art, and terminal or DOS-style box layouts to connect a right-side border to a horizontal divider, such as in old console menus like "╣ Settings ╠". Sometimes confused with the single-line version ┤, which lacks the doubled strokes.
Frequently asked questions
What does the double line style mean in box drawing characters? +
It indicates a heavier or emphasized border style, often used to distinguish outer frames or highlighted sections from single-line dividers in text-based layouts.
Why are box drawing characters like this still used today? +
They remain useful for retro terminal interfaces, ASCII art, command-line tools, and text-based diagrams where graphical elements aren't available.
What is the Alt code for the box drawings double vertical and left symbol? +
The Alt code for ╣ is Alt+185. Hold Alt, type 185 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 vertical and left", and double-click it. Or copy it from this page.
How do I type the box drawings double vertical and left 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: "\2563" and in JavaScript use "\u2563".