Left Double Quotation Mark “

“ (U+201C) is a standard Unicode character that you can copy and paste anywhere text is accepted. This page provides a concise reference with safe tips, internal links, and practical guidance so you can use it reliably across apps and platforms.

What it is and where it’s used: Left Double Quotation Mark is part of the Symbols family (block: General Punctuation). If you need styled or decorative alternatives, try our Fancy Text tool to generate compatible text that works in most modern interfaces.

History & usage: The LEFT DOUBLE QUOTATION MARK is a character in the General Punctuation block. Its code point is U+201C, and its name in English is LEFT DOUBLE QUOTATION MARK. It belongs to the Common script. This symbol is a punctuation mark that helps structure text and convey tone. Its use and placement are shaped by writing style and language rules. In practice, editors choose when to open a quotation and when to close it, and these choices can vary by tradition, region, and publication guidelines. As with other quotation marks, this character marks the beginning of quoted material and interacts with surrounding punctuation to guide readers through the wording. The exact conventions for when to employ the left double quotation mark versus other marks differ across styles, such as formal, technical, or literary writing. The overall idea is to set off direct speech, titles, or highlighted phrases in a way that readers recognize as a quote. By understanding the role of punctuation structure and tone, writers can use this symbol consistently within their preferred style system.

Copy and input: the quickest method is to copy the character here. You can also insert it by its codepoint U+201C in many development tools or editors. Some operating systems provide a character viewer or input palette that lets you search by name or code and insert the glyph into documents.

Display and fallback: if you see an empty box (tofu) or a placeholder rectangle, the active font might not include this codepoint. Switching to a font with broader Unicode coverage or using a fallback font usually fixes the issue. On the web, ensure the page’s font stack includes a general‑purpose fallback.

Related references: browse the Categories for similar characters. When choosing a symbol, prefer the official codepoint for semantic clarity and better compatibility with search, copy, and accessibility tooling.

See our category page for related symbols.