Exclamation Mark !

! (U+21) 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: Exclamation Mark is part of the Symbols family (block: Basic Latin). 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 Exclamation Mark is a punctuation symbol. It is shown as a single vertical line with a dot above or below in printed text. In Unicode, it is U+21, with the code point hex 21. The character is in the Basic Latin block and uses the Common script. Its name in English is Exclamation Mark. It serves to add force to a sentence. Exclamation symbols can call attention to warnings or important notices. This helps readers notice important information quickly. In writing, it marks strong feeling or emphasis. In simple text, it remains helpful without adding extra words. It appears in many languages that use the Latin alphabet. Writers use it to end short exclamations or to start a sentence with urgency. The symbol is a small but clear cue for readers. Because it is part of basic Latin, it works across common keyboards and fonts. Users see it in signs, manuals, and messages. The mark stays a straightforward way to signal attention.

Copy and input: the quickest method is to copy the character here. You can also insert it by its codepoint U+21 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.