Left Parenthesis (

( (U+28) 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 Parenthesis 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 left parenthesis opens a group. It marks the start of a list, a set of items, or a parameter block. In writing, it can introduce asides or clarifying remarks. In math and programming, it starts a group or a parameter list. The symbol helps separate parts of an expression from the rest. In code, it signals a function call and the start of a parameter list. It also marks boundaries for tools that read text and code. The left parenthesis is paired with a right parenthesis to show where the grouping ends. This pairing helps readers and computers know what belongs together. In quotes and strings, it can appear with other punctuation to show inserted text. In typesetting, it helps balance lines and columns. The usage is common across many languages and styles. When you see a left parenthesis, expect to find something that belongs inside it, and a corresponding right parenthesis to close the group. The practice keeps writing clear and code readable.

Copy and input: the quickest method is to copy the character here. You can also insert it by its codepoint U+28 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.