Squared Asterisk

The squared asterisk ⧆ is an asterisk enclosed in a square—a boxed asterisk used as a mathematical sign; its reading depends on the notation around it. Julia’s Unicode input command is \boxast.

Text symbol

What ⧆ means

⧆ is the squared asterisk. Unicode classifies it as a mathematical symbol and files it in the Miscellaneous Mathematical Symbols-B block; this site shelves it under Maths.

Its appearance depends on the font and text styling.

How it is encoded

⧆ is a single code point, U29C6. In HTML that is ⧆, and in CSS \29C6.

Part of collections

■

Square & Rectangle Symbols

✨

Star Symbols & Sparkle Emoji

Don't confuse it with

⊛

Circled Asterisk Operator

⊛ Circled Asterisk Operator puts the asterisk in a circle; ⧆ puts it in a square.

*️⃣

Keycap: *

*️⃣ is the colored keypad-star emoji; ⧆ is a plain text asterisk in a square outline.

Combination ideas

Boxed asterisk flagging a key note

Fine-print warning, boxed for emphasis

Boxed stars framing a highlight

Questions people ask

Why 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.