How to type ╬ on Windows
The fastest method on a full-size keyboard is the Alt code Alt+206.
- Make sure Num Lock is on.
- Hold down the Alt key.
- Type 206 on the numeric keypad (the number row will not work).
- Release Alt. The box drawings double vertical and horizontal symbol ╬ appears.
No numeric keypad?
Press Win+. to open the emoji panel, choose the Symbols tab (Ω) and search for "box drawings double vertical and horizontal". Or open Character Map from the Start menu, find ╬, click Select, then Copy.
How to type ╬ on a Mac
There is no direct keyboard shortcut for ╬ on a Mac.
For any symbol, the Character Viewer works: press Control+⌘+Space, type "box drawings double vertical and horizontal" in the search box and double-click the result. It will be remembered under Frequently Used.
How to type ╬ on iPhone and iPad
The iOS keyboard does not include ╬, so the reliable way is to copy it from this page, then press and hold in any text field and tap Paste.
If you use it often, create a shortcut: open Settings → General → Keyboard → Text Replacement, paste ╬ in the Phrase field and type a short code such as ;box in the Shortcut field. Typing that code will then insert ╬ anywhere.
How to type ╬ on Android
Copy the symbol from this page, then long-press in a text field and choose Paste. Gboard also keeps a clipboard history: tap the clipboard icon on the toolbar to paste it again later.
For a permanent shortcut, open Gboard settings → Dictionary → Personal dictionary, add ╬ as the word and a short code as the shortcut.
How to type ╬ in Microsoft Word
- Type the Unicode hex code 256C where you want the symbol.
- Press Alt+X. Word converts the code into ╬.
This works on Windows in Word, Outlook and OneNote and needs no numeric keypad. You can also go to Insert → Symbol → More Symbols, set the font to a Unicode font and type 256C in the Character code box. In Excel, the formula =UNICHAR(9580) returns the symbol.
How to type ╬ in Google Docs
Open Insert → Special characters, then either search for "box drawings double vertical and horizontal" or draw the symbol in the sketch box. Click the result to insert it. In Google Sheets, use =CHAR(9580).
╬ in HTML, CSS and code
| Format | Code |
|---|---|
| HTML entity | ╬ |
| HTML decimal | ╬ |
| HTML hex | ╬ |
CSS content | "\256C" |
| JavaScript | "\u256C" |
| Python | "\u256C" |
| URL encoded | %E2%95%AC |
Because ╬ is a standard Unicode character (U+256C), you can also paste it directly into any UTF-8 file. The escaped forms above are only needed when the file encoding is uncertain or the symbol must be entered on a keyboard without it.
Where the box drawings double vertical and horizontal symbol is used
Used in ASCII/Unicode art, terminal user interfaces, and retro DOS-style diagrams to create grid intersections, such as a table where ╬ joins rows and columns of double lines. It is often confused with the single-line cross ┼, which uses thinner strokes.
Frequently asked questions
What does ╬ mean? +
It represents a junction point where double horizontal and vertical lines cross, used purely for drawing borders and grids, not for math or text meaning.
Why do double-line box characters like ╬ exist? +
They were part of the extended character set used in old DOS and terminal systems to create bordered tables and windows with a distinct double-line style.
What is the Alt code for the box drawings double vertical and horizontal symbol? +
The Alt code for ╬ is Alt+206. Hold Alt, type 206 on the numeric keypad, then release Alt.
How do I type ╬ on a Mac? +
There is no dedicated Mac shortcut for ╬. Open the Character Viewer with Control + Command + Space, search for "box drawings double vertical and horizontal", and double-click it. Or copy it from this page.
How do I type the box drawings double vertical and horizontal symbol on iPhone or Android? +
Phone keyboards do not include ╬ by default. Copy it from this page and paste it, or add it as a text replacement shortcut in Settings so you can type it with a short abbreviation.
What is the HTML code for ╬? +
Use ╬ in HTML. The numeric form ╬ works too. In CSS use content: "\256C" and in JavaScript use "\u256C".