How to type ┼ on Windows
The fastest method on a full-size keyboard is the Alt code Alt+197.
- Make sure Num Lock is on.
- Hold down the Alt key.
- Type 197 on the numeric keypad (the number row will not work).
- Release Alt. The box drawings light vertical and horizontal symbol ┼ appears.
No numeric keypad?
Press Win+. to open the emoji panel, choose the Symbols tab (Ω) and search for "box drawings light vertical and 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 light vertical and 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 253C 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 253C in the Character code box. In Excel, the formula =UNICHAR(9532) returns the symbol.
How to type ┼ in Google Docs
Open Insert → Special characters, then either search for "box drawings light vertical and horizontal" or draw the symbol in the sketch box. Click the result to insert it. In Google Sheets, use =CHAR(9532).
┼ in HTML, CSS and code
| Format | Code |
|---|---|
| HTML entity | ┼ |
| HTML decimal | ┼ |
| HTML hex | ┼ |
CSS content | "\253C" |
| JavaScript | "\u253C" |
| Python | "\u253C" |
| URL encoded | %E2%94%BC |
Because ┼ is a standard Unicode character (U+253C), 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 light vertical and horizontal symbol is used
Used in text-based tables, terminal UIs, and ASCII art diagrams to form grid intersections, such as a table layout like ─┼─. It's common in legacy DOS/console interfaces and monospaced diagrams; don't confuse it with the plus sign +, which is for math.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between ┼ and a plus sign? +
The plus sign (+) is a math operator, while ┼ is a drawing character meant to align seamlessly with other box-drawing lines to form grids or borders.
Why do box-drawing characters like ┼ exist? +
They let text-based systems render tables, borders, and grids using fixed-width characters that connect cleanly, useful before graphical interfaces were common.
What is the Alt code for the box drawings light vertical and horizontal symbol? +
The Alt code for ┼ is Alt+197. Hold Alt, type 197 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 light vertical and horizontal", and double-click it. Or copy it from this page.
How do I type the box drawings light vertical and 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: "\253C" and in JavaScript use "\u253C".