How to type ░ on Windows
The fastest method on a full-size keyboard is the Alt code Alt+176.
- Make sure Num Lock is on.
- Hold down the Alt key.
- Type 176 on the numeric keypad (the number row will not work).
- Release Alt. The light shade symbol ░ appears.
No numeric keypad?
Press Win+. to open the emoji panel, choose the Symbols tab (Ω) and search for "light shade". 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 "light shade" 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 ;light 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 2591 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 2591 in the Character code box. In Excel, the formula =UNICHAR(9617) returns the symbol.
How to type ░ in Google Docs
Open Insert → Special characters, then either search for "light shade" or draw the symbol in the sketch box. Click the result to insert it. In Google Sheets, use =CHAR(9617).
░ in HTML, CSS and code
| Format | Code |
|---|---|
| HTML entity | ░ |
| HTML decimal | ░ |
| HTML hex | ░ |
CSS content | "\2591" |
| JavaScript | "\u2591" |
| Python | "\u2591" |
| URL encoded | %E2%96%91 |
Because ░ is a standard Unicode character (U+2591), 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 light shade symbol is used
Common in ASCII/text art, terminal UI mockups, and retro game interfaces to suggest depth or texture, like layering ░▒▓ from light to dark for a gradient effect. It is often paired with Medium Shade ▒ and Dark Shade ▓, which look similar but have denser dot patterns.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between ░, ▒, and ▓? +
They form a set of three shading blocks with increasing density: ░ is the lightest (25% fill), ▒ is medium (50%), and ▓ is the darkest (75%).
What is the Light Shade symbol used for in design? +
It's used to simulate texture, shadow, or gradient effects in monospaced text layouts, ASCII art, and old-school computer interfaces.
What is the Alt code for the light shade symbol? +
The Alt code for ░ is Alt+176. Hold Alt, type 176 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 "light shade", and double-click it. Or copy it from this page.
How do I type the light shade 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: "\2591" and in JavaScript use "\u2591".