Space Key symbol
Type :space: · Tech & keys
Unicode name Open Box · Control Pictures block · added in Unicode 1.1, 1993
What ␣ is for
The open box, a character for showing where a space goes when a real space would be invisible. It turns up in keyboard layouts, typing tutorials and documentation that needs to say "press space" in a line of symbols.
How to type ␣
The shortcuts below are the built-in routes. With
Emoji Anywhere
installed you can skip all of them and type
:space: in any text field instead, which
is the same on every platform.
macOS
No direct shortcut. Use Edit → Emoji & Symbols, or switch to the Unicode Hex
Input source and type 2423 with Option
held.
Windows
No Alt code. In Word, type 2423 then press Alt +
X. Elsewhere use the emoji panel with Win + Period, or Character Map.
Shortcodes
:space: :space_key: On the web
HTML ␣
Unicode U+2423
JavaScript '\u{2423}'
CSS "\2423"
Python '\u2423'
URL %E2%90%A3
What ␣ gets mistaken for
blank symbol
A b with a stroke through it, an older way of marking a blank. The open box is the one people recognise today.
More from tech & keys
:cmd: ⌥ :alt: ⇧ :shift: ⌃ :control_key: ⏎ :enter: ⌫ :backspace_delete_key: ⎋ :escape_key: ⇥ :tab_key: ⌦ :forward_delete: ⏏ :eject_symbol: ⌨ :keyboard_symbol: ♻ :recycle_symbol: Every symbol and kaomoji is in the full gallery .
Tired of copying ␣ from pages like this one?
That is exactly what the extension removes. Here is the whole interaction, in every text field you already use:
You type
You get
Your keyboard already knows what you mean
Free, 290 KB, no account. Two letters from now you will never open an emoji panel again.
