How to use the check mark symbol
- Find the check mark symbol you need in the table above.
- Click or select the character, then press
Ctrl+C(Windows/Linux) orCmd+C(Mac) to copy it. - Paste it into your document, email, spreadsheet or web form using
Ctrl+VorCmd+V. - For developers, use the provided HTML entity or Unicode escape sequence directly in your code.
What Is the Check Mark Symbol?
The check mark symbol is a typographic character used to indicate that something has been verified, completed or approved. The most common version is U+2713 (✓), known simply as CHECK MARK in the Unicode standard. A heavier variant, U+2714 (✔), is often used in user interfaces where more visual weight is needed.
In British English and many Commonwealth countries, this character is called a tick symbol. Both terms refer to the same glyph. The opposite concept is represented by the cross mark symbol (✗ or ✘), which signals rejection, error or an incomplete item. Together, these two families of characters form the basis of most binary status indicators in plain text.
How to Type a Check Mark on Windows
Windows offers several ways to insert a check mark symbol without copying from the web each time.
- Alt code: Hold the
Altkey and type10003on the numeric keypad for ✓, or10004for ✔. Release Alt to insert the character. This requires a keyboard with a dedicated number pad. - Character Map: Open the Character Map utility (
charmapin the Run dialog), search for "check", select the glyph and click Copy. - Emoji panel: Press
Win + .to open the emoji picker, switch to the symbols tab and search for "check". The white heavy check mark (✅) appears here. - Microsoft Word: Type
2713then pressAlt+Xto convert the hex code into the character.
How to Type a Check Mark on Mac and Linux
On macOS, there is no single system-wide Alt code shortcut for the check mark symbol, but you have reliable alternatives:
- Character Viewer: Press
Cmd + Ctrl + Spaceto open the viewer, type "check" in the search field and double-click the desired glyph. - Text Replacements: Go to System Settings, Keyboard, Text Replacements. Set a shortcut like
(chk)to expand into ✓ automatically across all apps.
On Linux, the method depends on your desktop environment and input method framework:
- GTK applications: Press
Ctrl + Shift + U, type2713and press Enter. - Compose key: If configured, a compose sequence such as
Compose + < + /may produce a check mark depending on your Compose file definitions.
HTML Entities and Unicode Code Points
Web developers frequently need to embed a check mark symbol or cross mark symbol in HTML, CSS or JavaScript. Below is a reference table of the most useful characters.
| Symbol | Name | Unicode | HTML Entity | CSS / JS Escape |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ✓ | CHECK MARK | U+2713 | ✓ or ✓ | \2713 |
| ✔ | HEAVY CHECK MARK | U+2714 | ✔ | \2714 |
| ✗ | BALLOT X | U+2717 | ✗ | \2717 |
| ✘ | HEAVY BALLOT X | U+2718 | ✘ | \2718 |
| ☐ | BALLOT BOX | U+2610 | ☐ | \2610 |
| ☑ | BALLOT BOX WITH CHECK | U+2611 | ☑ | \2611 |
| ☒ | BALLOT BOX WITH X | U+2612 | ☒ | \2612 |
In JavaScript strings, use '\u2713' for the standard check mark. In CSS content properties, use the backslash escape shown above.
Common Uses for Tick and Cross Marks
Plain text check marks appear in many practical contexts where images or styled components are not available or would be too heavy.
- To-do lists: Markdown files, plain text notes and terminal task managers use ✓ and ✗ to show completed versus pending items.
- Spreadsheets: When conditional formatting is overkill, pasting a tick symbol directly into a cell provides a quick visual indicator.
- Emails and chat: Support agents and team members paste check marks to confirm steps without attaching screenshots.
- Forms and ballots: The ballot box characters (☐, ☑, ☒) simulate paper forms in digital documents.
- CLI output: Build scripts and test runners print ✓ for passing tests and ✗ for failures, keeping logs readable in monochrome terminals.
If you also need other special characters for technical writing, tools like the degree symbol page follow the same copy-and-paste approach.
Rendering Pitfalls and Font Support
Not every font includes the check mark symbol. If you see a square box or a question mark instead of a tick, the active font lacks the glyph at that Unicode code point. Switch to a font with broad symbol coverage such as Segoe UI Symbol, Noto Sans Symbols or Arial Unicode MS.
Emoji variants like ✅ and ❌ render as colorful graphics on most modern platforms. Their appearance varies significantly between operating systems because each vendor supplies its own emoji artwork. If you need consistent rendering across devices, stick to the text-style characters (✓, ✗) rather than the emoji code points.
When building web pages, always test your chosen check mark on multiple browsers and operating systems. Declare a fallback font stack that includes a symbol font to prevent missing-glyph rectangles.
Worked examples
Each result below was produced by the same code the tool runs, so you can check your own numbers against them.
| Example | Input | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Standard check mark | This input could not be calculated. | |
| Heavy check mark | This input could not be calculated. | |
| Cross mark | This input could not be calculated. |
FAQ
How do I copy and paste a check mark symbol?
Select the ✓ character from the table above, press Ctrl+C (or Cmd+C on Mac) to copy it, then paste it wherever you need it with Ctrl+V or Cmd+V. This checkmark copy paste method works in any application that supports Unicode text.
What is the difference between a check mark and a tick symbol?
There is no difference. "Check mark" is the standard term in American English, while "tick symbol" or simply "tick" is used in British, Australian and New Zealand English. Both refer to the same character (✓).
What is the Unicode code point for the check mark?
The standard check mark is U+2713. The heavy check mark is U+2714. For cross marks, the ballot X is U+2717 and the heavy ballot X is U+2718.
How do I type a cross mark symbol?
You can copy the ✗ or ✘ from the table above, or use the Alt code method on Windows: hold Alt and type 10007 on the numeric keypad for the light cross mark. On Mac, use the Character Viewer (Cmd+Ctrl+Space) and search for "ballot x".
Why does my check mark look like a colored emoji?
Characters like ✅ (U+2705) are defined as emoji in the Unicode standard, so operating systems render them as colorful images. If you want a plain black text check mark, use U+2713 (✓) or U+2714 (✔) instead.
Can I use check mark symbols in file names?
Most modern file systems support Unicode characters in file names, including ✓. However, some older software, command-line tools or cross-platform sync services may not handle them correctly. It is safer to avoid special symbols in file names meant for wide distribution.
Is there an HTML entity for the check mark?
Yes. You can use the named entity ✓ or the numeric entity ✓ to display ✓ in HTML. For the heavy check mark, use ✔.
Reference pages
- Symbols to copy and paste: Unicode, HTML codes and Alt codes for popular symbols.