Copy ∵, the because sign, and check it against ∴ so the right three dots go into your proof.
Because Symbol
∵BecauseU+2235Ready to copy
17 because signs and look-alikes. Tap any value to copy it.
17 because signs and look-alikes. A character and its name both copy the character. A code copies the code.
Character
Name
Code point
HTML
LaTeX
U+2235. Three dots with two on top and one below: because. It is in neither Alt code table. ∵ in HTML; \because in LaTeX needs amssymb.
U+2234. The same three dots the other way up, one on top and two below: therefore, written before a conclusion. ∴ in HTML; \therefore in LaTeX needs amssymb.
Made of U+2235 and U+2234. The because sign and then the therefore sign, to paste as a pair.
Made of b, a slash and c from the keyboard. An abbreviation of because that needs no special character.
U+2E2A. A punctuation mark with its dots set as in ∵, two over one. It is not a math sign. Added in Unicode 5.1 (2008).
U+2E2B. A punctuation mark with its dots set as in ∴, one over two. Added in Unicode 5.1 (2008).
Made of the open o, U+0254, and a colon. Unicode's note on the letter: in older Danish usage this pair stands for that is.
U+2056. Three dots as a punctuation mark, which Unicode cross-refers to the Georgian paragraph separator. Added in Unicode 4.1 (2005).
U+10FB. A paragraph separator of Georgian text, by its Unicode name, which Unicode cross-refers to ⁖.
U+061E. A triple dot of Arabic-script punctuation, by its Unicode name. Added in Unicode 4.1 (2005).
U+FBB8. By its Unicode name, three dots pointing downwards: a mark of Arabic letters shown on its own, for writing about the script. Added in Unicode 6.0 (2010).
U+FBB6. By its Unicode name, three dots above: a mark of Arabic letters shown on its own, for writing about the script. Added in Unicode 6.0 (2010).
U+0B83. A sign of the Tamil script that stands for a sound; Unicode's other name for it is aytham. A font may draw its three dots as rings.
U+2042. Three asterisks in a triangle, used to mark a minor break in a text.
U+26EC. A map sign with thicker dots, which Unicode cross-refers to ∴. Added in Unicode 5.2 (2009).
U+07F7. A mark of the NKo script. Unicode's notes: it marks the end of a major section of text, and it represents the three stones holding a cooking pot over a fire. Added in Unicode 5.0 (2006).
U+2237. Four dots, not three: the sign of a proportion, by its Unicode name. ∷ in HTML.
The because symbol is ∵, U+2235: three dots with two on top and one below. The other way up, with one dot on top, the sign is ∴ and says therefore.
Read the full guide
When the two were told apart
The two signs were not always kept apart: Johann Rahn's algebra of 1659 used the upright triangle for therefore, and its English edition of 1668 more often gave that meaning to the inverted one. Keeping ∵ for because alone appears to date from the 19th century.
With a Compose key, ∵ is Compose, period, colon, and ∴ is Compose, colon, period.
Questions and answers
What is the difference between ∵ and ∴?
The direction. ∵ has two dots on top and means because. ∴ has one dot on top, means therefore and goes before a conclusion: x + 1 = 10, ∴ x = 9.
How do I type the because symbol?
No key carries ∵, and it is in neither Alt code table. Write ∵ or ∵ in HTML and \because in LaTeX with the amssymb package. Apps that read an Alt code above 255 as a code point type it with Alt+8757.
Which other characters look like ∵?
⸪ is a punctuation mark with the same two dots over one. ஃ is a sign of the Tamil script, ⛬ marks a historic site on a map and ⁂ is three asterisks. None of them means because.
All 17 because signs and look-alikes
Start here 5
∵BecauseU+2235. Three dots with two on top and one below: because. It is in neither Alt code table. ∵ in HTML; \because in LaTeX needs amssymb.
b/cBecause, typedMade of b, a slash and c from the keyboard. An abbreviation of because that needs no special character.
∵∴Both signsMade of U+2235 and U+2234. The because sign and then the therefore sign, to paste as a pair.
∴ThereforeU+2234. The same three dots the other way up, one on top and two below: therefore, written before a conclusion. ∴ in HTML; \therefore in LaTeX needs amssymb.
⸪Two dots over one dot punctuationU+2E2A. A punctuation mark with its dots set as in ∵, two over one. It is not a math sign. Added in Unicode 5.1 (2008).
Ready-made 1
ɔ:Open o and colonMade of the open o, U+0254, and a colon. Unicode's note on the letter: in older Danish usage this pair stands for that is.
Show all 17 because signs and look-alikes (11 more)
Not because 11
﮶Arabic symbol three dots aboveU+FBB6. By its Unicode name, three dots above: a mark of Arabic letters shown on its own, for writing about the script. Added in Unicode 6.0 (2010).
﮸Arabic symbol three dots pointing downwards aboveU+FBB8. By its Unicode name, three dots pointing downwards: a mark of Arabic letters shown on its own, for writing about the script. Added in Unicode 6.0 (2010).
؞Arabic triple dot punctuation markU+061E. A triple dot of Arabic-script punctuation, by its Unicode name. Added in Unicode 4.1 (2005).
⁂AsterismU+2042. Three asterisks in a triangle, used to mark a minor break in a text.
჻Georgian paragraph separatorU+10FB. A paragraph separator of Georgian text, by its Unicode name, which Unicode cross-refers to ⁖.
⛬Historic siteU+26EC. A map sign with thicker dots, which Unicode cross-refers to ∴. Added in Unicode 5.2 (2009).
߷NKo symbol gbakurunenU+07F7. A mark of the NKo script. Unicode's notes: it marks the end of a major section of text, and it represents the three stones holding a cooking pot over a fire. Added in Unicode 5.0 (2006).
⸫One dot over two dots punctuationU+2E2B. A punctuation mark with its dots set as in ∴, one over two. Added in Unicode 5.1 (2008).
∷ProportionU+2237. Four dots, not three: the sign of a proportion, by its Unicode name. ∷ in HTML.
ஃTamil sign visargaU+0B83. A sign of the Tamil script that stands for a sound; Unicode's other name for it is aytham. A font may draw its three dots as rings.
⁖Three dot punctuationU+2056. Three dots as a punctuation mark, which Unicode cross-refers to the Georgian paragraph separator. Added in Unicode 4.1 (2005).