Separator Symbols Collection

This page collects a total of 33 separator symbols, covering the indispensable visual dividing elements in daily typography, programming, mathematical formulas, and decorative text. Although small in size, separators play a crucial role in guiding the eye and distinguishing hierarchy within information architecture. Each symbol has its specific usage scenarios and technical parameters. Below is a detailed introduction to each symbol's properties and usage by category.

📏 Vertical Bar & Broken Bar Separators

| (Vertical Bar) is called the vertical bar, the most fundamental vertical separator commonly used in programming logic operations, table separation, or Markdown table syntax. Its Unicode is U+007C, the LaTeX command is \textbar, and the HTML entity is |. In LaTeX, typing | directly will be parsed as a mathematical symbol; you must use \textbar in text mode. ¦ (Broken Bar) is called the broken bar, typically used in typewriter-style typography or specific divider line styles, commonly found in older keyboard character mappings. Its Unicode is U+00A6, the LaTeX command is \textbrokenbar, and the HTML entity is ¦. Since most modern fonts render it as a vertically broken line, it can be used in visual design as an alternative to the solid vertical bar. ❘ (Vertical Bar Decorator) is called the vertical bar decorator, belonging to decorative mathematical symbols, often used to denote separation in set builder notation. Its Unicode is U+2758, the LaTeX command is \textormath, and the HTML entity is ❘. This symbol is slightly thicker than a regular vertical bar and remains clear at smaller font sizes. ❙ (Vertical Bar Decorator Variant) is called the vertical bar decorator variant, also used in mathematical typesetting or visual separation. Its Unicode is U+2759, and the HTML entity is ❙. In some fonts, it appears as a double-line vertical bar effect. ❚ (Vertical Bar Decorator Bold) is called the vertical bar decorator bold, the thickest variant in the vertical bar series. Its Unicode is U+275A, and the HTML entity is ❚. It is suitable for use as a high-intensity visual break line.

⚫ Bullet Points & List Markers

• (Bullet) is called the bullet, the most classic list item marker commonly used in unordered lists, to-do items, or key point summaries. Its Unicode is U+2022, the LaTeX command is \textbullet, and the HTML entity is •. In HTML, it is usually automatically generated with ul and li tags. · (Middle Dot) is called the middle dot, often used to separate full-width foreign names, as a mathematical multiplication dot, or for decorative separation. Its Unicode is U+00B7, the LaTeX command is \textperiodcentered, and the HTML entity is ·. This symbol should be distinguished from the period; it is vertically center-aligned. ‧ (Hyphenation Point) is called the hyphenation point, commonly seen in East Asian typography systems to indicate foreign word spacing or connecting words. Its Unicode is U+2027, the LaTeX command is \textperiodcentered, and the HTML entity is ‧. Note that it is visually very thin and not suitable for use at low resolutions. ・ (Katakana Middle Dot) is called the katakana middle dot, primarily used for spacing names in Japanese katakana, such as "マイクロソフト・オフィス". Its Unicode is U+30FB, and the HTML entity is ・. This symbol is also often borrowed in Chinese typography to indicate parallel relationships. ◦ (Hollow Bullet) is called the hollow bullet, usually used for secondary list items or lighter visual separation. Its Unicode is U+25E6, the LaTeX command is \circ, and the HTML entity is ◦. In presentations, hollow bullets are often combined with solid bullets to form nested lists. ‣ (Triangular Bullet) is called the triangular bullet, providing a directional list marker often used in navigation menus or emphasis lists. Its Unicode is U+2023, and the HTML entity is ‣. ⁃ (Hyphen Bullet) is called the hyphen bullet, a minimalist style list marker. Its Unicode is U+2043, and the HTML entity is ⁃. It is popular in plain text emails or code comments.

📝 Dashes & Horizontal Lines

— (Em Dash) is called the em dash, typically used for parenthetical phrases, interruptions, or indicating ranges. Its Unicode is U+2014, the LaTeX command is \---, and the HTML entity is —. In English typography, em dashes usually have no spaces around them, but Chinese typography conventions may differ. – (En Dash) is called the en dash, mainly used to connect number ranges (e.g., 2020–2025), scores, or compound nouns. Its Unicode is U+2013, the LaTeX command is \--, and the HTML entity is –. Do not confuse the en dash with the hyphen, which is used within words. ― (Horizontal Bar) is called the horizontal bar, often used to indicate the source of a quotation in dialogue or as an alternative to the em dash. Its Unicode is U+2015, the LaTeX command is \---, and the HTML entity is ―. This symbol is typically as wide as a full-width character. ‒ (Figure Dash) is called the figure dash, used to connect personal names in compound words. Its Unicode is U+2012, and the HTML entity is ‒. In financial typesetting, it is occasionally used as a minus sign substitute.

🔣 Mathematical & Logical Separators

∣ (Divides) is called the divides separator, representing "divides" in mathematics. Its Unicode is U+2223, the LaTeX command is \mid, and the HTML entity is ∣. In LaTeX, it differs from the ordinary vertical bar by automatically adding spacing on both sides. ∥ (Parallel To) is called the parallel symbol, commonly used in geometry to indicate that two lines are parallel. Its Unicode is U+2225, the LaTeX command is \parallel, and the HTML entity is ∥. It can also be used as a double vertical bar separator in text environments. ∤ (Does Not Divide) is called the does not divide symbol, the negation of the divides symbol. Its Unicode is U+2224, the LaTeX command is \nmid, and the HTML entity is ∤. Pay attention to font coverage; some older fonts may display it as a tofu box. ∦ (Not Parallel To) is called the not parallel to symbol, indicating non-parallel relationships in geometry. Its Unicode is U+2226, the LaTeX command is \nparallel, and the HTML entity is ∦. ⋮ (Vertical Ellipsis) is called the vertical ellipsis, representing vertical omission in matrix operations. Its Unicode is U+22EE, the LaTeX command is \vdots, and the HTML entity is ⋮. This is a key separator for constructing large matrices in linear algebra. ⋯ (Midline Horizontal Ellipsis) is called the midline horizontal ellipsis, often used to indicate horizontal omission in sequences. Its Unicode is U+22EF, the LaTeX command is \cdots, and the HTML entity is ⋯. ⋰ (Up Right Diagonal Ellipsis) is called the up right diagonal ellipsis, used for diagonal omission in matrices. Its Unicode is U+22F0, the LaTeX command is \ddots, and the HTML entity is ⋰. This symbol performs best in LaTeX math mode.

💻 Programming & Data Separators

/ (Slash) is called the slash, the universal separator for URL paths, file paths, division, and dates. Its Unicode is U+002F, the LaTeX command is \textfractionsolidus, and the HTML entity is /. For path separation, Windows uses the backslash, while the Web and Linux use the forward slash. \ (Backslash) is called the backslash, commonly used in Windows file paths, programming escape characters, and LaTeX command prefixes. Its Unicode is U+005C, the LaTeX command is \textbackslash, and the HTML entity is \. Be especially careful with escaping in HTML; writing it directly may cause parsing errors. ␣ (Open Box) is called the open box, used to explicitly mark the position of a space in code examples or typesetting tutorials. Its Unicode is U+2423, and the HTML entity is ␣. When writing technical documentation, this symbol avoids confusion caused by invisible characters. ⸽ (Paragraph Separator Mark) is called the paragraph separator mark, identifying potential paragraph break points in editing or proofreading work. Its Unicode is U+2E3D, and the HTML entity is ⸽. This symbol is very practical in scenarios where non-printing characters need to be reproduced.

✨ Decorative & Special Typography Separators

~ (Tilde) is called the tilde, representing a personal home page in URLs, approximation in mathematics, and word repetition in dictionaries. Its Unicode is U+007E, the LaTeX command is \textasciitilde, and the HTML entity is ~. In LaTeX, typing ~ directly generates a non-breaking space; you must use the command to output the character itself. @ (Commercial At) is called the commercial at symbol, the absolute separator in email addresses, also commonly used for social media mentions. Its Unicode is U+0040, and the HTML entity is @. In input mode, this symbol is the logical dividing line from username to domain name. * (Asterisk) is called the asterisk, serving as a separator and highlighting marker when used as a wildcard or emphasis marker. Its Unicode is U+002A, the LaTeX command is \textasteriskcentered, and the HTML entity is *. In Markdown, asterisks can directly create unordered lists or bold/italic text. † (Dagger) is called the dagger, often used for footnote reference separation in academic papers. Its Unicode is U+2020, the LaTeX command is \dagger, and the HTML entity is †. It forms a classic annotation symbol sequence with the double dagger ‡. ¶ (Pilcrow) is called the pilcrow, used in Word processing to mark paragraph endings and line breaks. Its Unicode is U+00B6, the LaTeX command is \P, and the HTML entity is ¶. Although less common in main text now, it remains indispensable in typesetting and proofreading mode. ※ (Reference Mark) is called the reference mark, commonly used in East Asian typography as a note guide symbol or decorative divider line. Its Unicode is U+203B, and the HTML entity is ※. This symbol is particularly common in Japanese documents and is generally not used in formal English typography.

📌 Important Notes on Using Separators

When using separators, there are several key points to keep in mind: First, the | vertical bar will be parsed as an absolute value symbol in LaTeX math mode; always use \textbar if you need a text separator. Second, the — em dash and the – en dash have completely different functions; never confuse range connection with a pause in tone. Third, writing the backslash \ directly in HTML may cause escaping errors; it is recommended to use the numeric entity for safety. Fourth, the · middle dot can easily be confused with a period . at very small font sizes; ensure sufficient font size and spacing during design. Fifth, the bullet • and ◦ are excellent for building clear visual hierarchy. Sixth, when displaying programming APIs or code blocks, using the ␣ open box placeholder can greatly improve the readability of screenshots or tutorials. Seventh, when generating SVG source or downloading transparent PNG images, the rendering engine will prioritize calling the system-installed Segoe UI Symbol or Noto Sans fonts; ensuring these fonts are installed can prevent symbols from displaying as blank tofu boxes. The above considerations can help you use separator symbols correctly in different scenarios, enhancing the professionalism and typographic consistency of your documents.

💡 Usage Tips

If you need to copy the Unicode, LaTeX command, or HTML entity of a separator, simply click the corresponding symbol card above, and then click the relevant item in the pop-up detail panel to copy it with one click. Each symbol can generate SVG vector source code or be downloaded as a 512×512 pixel PNG image with a transparent background, making it convenient for use in presentations, web design mockups, or teaching documents. When writing technical documentation or academic papers, it is recommended to use LaTeX commands with the appropriate packages such as \textasteriskcentered and \textbar to achieve fully consistent typesetting output across platforms.