How to type ▀ on Windows
The fastest method on a full-size keyboard is the Alt code Alt+223.
- Make sure Num Lock is on.
- Hold down the Alt key.
- Type 223 on the numeric keypad (the number row will not work).
- Release Alt. The upper half block symbol ▀ appears.
No numeric keypad?
Press Win+. to open the emoji panel, choose the Symbols tab (Ω) and search for "upper half 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 "upper half 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 ;upper 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 2580 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 2580 in the Character code box. In Excel, the formula =UNICHAR(9600) returns the symbol.
How to type ▀ in Google Docs
Open Insert → Special characters, then either search for "upper half block" or draw the symbol in the sketch box. Click the result to insert it. In Google Sheets, use =CHAR(9600).
▀ in HTML, CSS and code
| Format | Code |
|---|---|
| HTML entity | ▀ |
| HTML decimal | ▀ |
| HTML hex | ▀ |
CSS content | "\2580" |
| JavaScript | "\u2580" |
| Python | "\u2580" |
| URL encoded | %E2%96%80 |
Because ▀ is a standard Unicode character (U+2580), 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 upper half block symbol is used
Used in ASCII/Unicode art, terminal graphics, and retro-style text displays to create blocky images or bars, such as "▀▀▀▀" for a horizontal edge. It pairs with the lower half block ▄ to double vertical resolution in text-mode graphics.
Frequently asked questions
What is the upper half block used for? +
It's a block graphics character used to draw shapes, borders, or pixel-like art in text or terminal environments, often combined with other block characters.
Is ▀ the same as ▄? +
No, ▀ fills the top half of the cell while ▄ (lower half block) fills the bottom half; they are opposite halves of the same character cell.
What is the Alt code for the upper half block symbol? +
The Alt code for ▀ is Alt+223. Hold Alt, type 223 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 "upper half block", and double-click it. Or copy it from this page.
How do I type the upper half 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: "\2580" and in JavaScript use "\u2580".