Linux keyboard: Unicode hex codes composition (text symbols)

Linux keyboard: Unicode hex codes composition

You can use Unicode codes to enter any possible text symbols on Linux. Straight-forward from your keyboard. The only hard thing here is that you'll have to remember some hex codes of these symbols. But you'll read more on that below.

Steps

Hold down Ctrl+Shift+U.
Simultaneously press <Ctrl>, <Shift> and <U> keys.
Release "U" key.
Enter Unicode symbol's hex code.
Enter hexadecimal (base 16 - 0123456789abcdef) code of symbol you want to type. Remember, that you need to do that with <Ctrl> and <Shift> keys still held down.
Release all keys.

Example

For example try Unicode code 266A to get ♪ character.

Unicode codes

View symbol codes in a character map. Get it in Linux OS Character maps as I'm sure you'll like it. It is also a great alternative to Linux keyboard symbol codes themselves.

Also, you can use my Enty tool - Escape special HTML / JavaScript character entities tool if you want to find out codes of some symbols you found somewhere. Just copy-paste the symbols into it and it will convert them into their HTML entity which is &#xCODE;.

You can always find all Unicode codes on the official site. The only problem is that sometimes it may be a bit hard to find there symbol you are looking for.

Official thing

Next note is taken from some official Linux documentation.

In addition to the table-driven sequences, we allow Unicode hex codes to be entered. The method chosen here is similar to the one recommended in ISO 14755, but not exactly the same, since we don't want to steal 16 valuable key combinations.

A hex Unicode sequence must be started with Ctrl-Shift-U, followed by a sequence of hex digits entered with Ctrl-Shift still held. Releasing one of the modifiers or pressing space while the modifiers are still held commits the character. It is possible to erase digits using backspace.

As an extension to the above, we also allow to start the sequence with Ctrl-Shift-U, then release the modifiers before typing any digits, and enter the digits without modifiers.

Here are other ways you can type text symbols on Linux with your keyboard.

Linux keyboard text symbols: Compose key shortcutsFind out how to setup and use Compose Key shortcuts on Linux. Contains a list of Compose Key sequences. Type text symbols with your keyboard.

Linux keyboard text symbols: Third and fourth level choosersRemember, how Shift key works? Shift is called the second level input modifier key. Just like that, on Linux there are 3-d and 4-th level input chooser keys you can hold down to type special text symbols from your keyboard.

Linux OS Character mapsType special symbols and text characters with the use of character map for Linux and Unix OS. ❡✽ ➦ ❥ ✪ GNOME's Gucharmap, KDE's KCharSelect Character Selector and Java character map.

Encool tool - generate cool text with symbolsMake cool text messages with special text signs and symbols. Enrich your text with cool symbols. Fantastic funny accent letters and symbols. Ḉσмє їη❣

aboqe Flip (Turn message letters and text characters Upside Down)

aboqe Flip Aboqe generator is a tool that can flip your text upside down by utilising special letters, symbols and characters. Turn messages 180° with ǝboqɐ. For Facebook, MySpace, Google+, etc.

All text symbols for Facebook ϡ Collection of cool computer text symbols. All facebook symbols. ❤ ♥ ❥ My large hand-made list of more than a hundred cool characters. Truly amazing! ヅツッ

linux keyboard shortcuts for text symbols