Semicolon ;

; (U+3B) 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: Semicolon 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: Semicolon is a punctuation mark with codepoint hex 3B, U+3B, in the Basic Latin block and script Common. In en, it sits in the group of punctuation marks. The togetherness of punctuation helps structure text and convey tone. Usage conventions differ by style and locale. The semicolon can signal a pause that is stronger than a comma but lighter than a period. It can join closely related ideas or separate complex lists. Practices vary across writing traditions and editorial guides. Writers choose to align with local norms, publisher rules, or personal preference. The mark acts as a bridge in sentences, affecting rhythm and flow. In some styles it marks a clear separation; in others it nudges readers to consider the relationship between ideas. Across history, punctuation marks evolved to show how sentences relate to each other. Even with narrow rules, writers adapt to context and audience. The semicolon remains a tool to modulate pace and clarity in text, while its usage continues to reflect different stylistic choices and conventions across cultures.

Copy and input: the quickest method is to copy the character here. You can also insert it by its codepoint U+3B 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.