How to type █ on Windows
The fastest method on a full-size keyboard is the Alt code Alt+219.
- Make sure Num Lock is on.
- Hold down the Alt key.
- Type 219 on the numeric keypad (the number row will not work).
- Release Alt. The full block symbol █ appears.
No numeric keypad?
Press Win+. to open the emoji panel, choose the Symbols tab (Ω) and search for "full block". 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 "full block" 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 ;full 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 2588 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 2588 in the Character code box. In Excel, the formula =UNICHAR(9608) returns the symbol.
How to type █ in Google Docs
Open Insert → Special characters, then either search for "full block" or draw the symbol in the sketch box. Click the result to insert it. In Google Sheets, use =CHAR(9608).
█ in HTML, CSS and code
| Format | Code |
|---|---|
| HTML entity | █ |
| HTML decimal | █ |
| HTML hex | █ |
CSS content | "\2588" |
| JavaScript | "\u2588" |
| Python | "\u2588" |
| URL encoded | %E2%96%88 |
Because █ is a standard Unicode character (U+2588), 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 full block symbol is used
It appears in ASCII art, terminal progress bars, and volume or loading indicators, such as "███████░░░" showing 70% complete. Some confuse it with the lighter shade blocks (░▒▓), which are used together to create shading effects.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Full Block symbol used for? +
It's mainly used to create solid visual blocks in text, like progress bars, censorship bars over text, or filled-in areas in ASCII art.
Why do progress bars use the Full Block character? +
Because it renders as a solid rectangle in most monospace fonts, it lets developers build simple visual bars using plain text characters.
What is the Alt code for the full block symbol? +
The Alt code for █ is Alt+219. Hold Alt, type 219 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 "full block", and double-click it. Or copy it from this page.
How do I type the full block 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: "\2588" and in JavaScript use "\u2588".