What ∕ means
∕ marks division in a one-line mathematical expression.
Read a ∕ b as “a divided by b.” A use in 1718 is credited to Thomas Twining.
Choose the slash by its job
Use ∕ for division in a one-line formula. Mathematical typesetting aligns it with other operators, but fonts can change its angle or length; parentheses or a stacked fraction clarify a complicated divisor.
Mathematical and technical; it belongs in formulas, not casual prose.
A similar diagonal shape does not guarantee the same reading.
Don't confuse it with
2Questions people ask
1Why does ∕ show as a box on some devices?
Because that device's fonts have no glyph for it. The character is still correct and still copies correctly — the box is a missing glyph, not a broken character.
How to type ∕
Windows (Word)
Alt+XType 2215, then Alt+X to get ∕.
Windows
Win+Rrun charmap for the full table, or use the emoji picker's Ω symbols tab (Win + .).
macOS
Control+Command+SpaceOpen the character viewer and search “division slash”.
Linux
Ctrl+Shift+UType 2215, then Enter or Space.
HTML
∕CSS
\2215Codes and encoding1 code points
HTML decimal
∕
HTML hex
∕
CSS content
content: "\2215";
Each escape is closed by the next backslash; a trailing space is needed before a literal hex digit.
URL encoded
%E2%88%95
1
On screen
1
Code points
1
JS .length
3
UTF-8 bytes
A visible symbol can contain several code points. JS .length counts UTF-16 units; UTF-8 counts bytes.