Heavy Minus Sign ➖

➖ (U+2796) 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: Heavy Minus Sign is part of the Symbols family (block: Dingbats). If you need styled or decorative alternatives, try our Fancy Text tool to generate compatible text that works in most modern interfaces.

History & usage: HEAVY MINUS SIGN is a symbol in the Dingbats block. It carries the code point U+2796 and is part of the Common script. The character appears in many fonts and systems that include symbol sets for easy access. In usage, heavy minus signs serve as common math symbols to indicate operations or comparisons in formulas. Designers place it in user interfaces where a strong minus or subtraction cue is needed, especially alongside other arithmetic or logical symbols. This sign helps readers distinguish a bold, clear minus from a lighter dash used in text. In practice, it shows up in calculators, math editors, and form fields that require explicit subtraction or negation indicators. The symbol’s visual weight makes it stand out in compact layouts, diagrams, and icon-like controls. While it shares function with the standard minus, its heavier design can improve readability in dense formulas. The character’s presence in common symbol sets supports consistent interpretation across platforms and documentation. Overall, it serves as a robust, recognizable option for subtraction and comparison tasks in both formulas and interfaces.

Copy and input: the quickest method is to copy the character here. You can also insert it by its codepoint U+2796 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.