• 110 weird symbols

Weird Symbols

Tap a tile to copy it: oddly named signs, giant characters, words in one square, marks that wrap a letter.

Weird Symbols

⍼Zigzag arrow in a right angleU+237CReady to copy

110 weird symbols. Tap one to copy it.

Odd official names 26

Oversized characters 13

Whole words in one square 24

Keyboard legends and APL signs 26

Marks that wrap a letter 11

Weird, typed 10

Next step Rare symbols, picked by a stricter testNext set: glitch symbols

How it works

These weird symbols are picked by look, not by how rare a script is: signs with odd official names, characters far wider than a letter, whole words in one square, and marks that wrap the letter before them. ⍼ comes first.

Read the full guide

Interesting symbols and what they were made for

Each tile under Odd official names gives the Unicode name and, where the names list has one, the use. ⛇ Black snowman is a weather sign for heavy snow. ⚞ was made for closed captions, to show someone speaking.

Symbols for unique names

Marks that wrap a letter put a circle, a square or a ring of commas round any character: copy the tile, then swap the a for your own letter. Weird, typed has four name wrappers and the word weird in six alphabets.

  • ꧅ and the Tamil signs need a font for their script. Where there is none, the tile shows an empty box.
  • A mark that wraps a letter is typed after the letter, not before it.
  • The search box takes one word: square finds 27 tiles and map finds 7.

Questions and answers

What is ⍼ used for?

Unicode names it right angle with downwards zigzag arrow, and its names list gives one other name, azimuth. It sits in the Miscellaneous Technical block and arrived in Unicode 3.2. The names list adds no note on its use.

Are these strange symbols text or pictures?

Text. Every tile is a plain Unicode character or a short typed line, so it takes the color and size of the words round it. None is an emoji, and a device with no font for one shows an empty box.

Why is there a black snowman symbol?

⛇ is a weather sign. Unicode files it with the weather symbols from ARIB STD B24, and the names list glosses it as heavy snow. The plain snowman, ☃, is a separate character.

How do I put a circle round a letter?

Type the letter, then paste the mark from the tile Letter in a circle. It is a combining character, U+20DD, so it draws round whatever comes before it. The square, diamond and triangle work the same way.

All 110 weird symbols

Odd official names 26

  • Black cross on a shield U+26E8 Black cross on shield. Miscellaneous Symbols block, Unicode 5.2. A map sign: The Unicode names list glosses it as hospital.
  • Black snowman U+26C7 Black snowman. Miscellaneous Symbols block, Unicode 5.2. A weather sign: The Unicode names list glosses it as heavy snow.
  • Car sliding U+26D0 Car sliding. Miscellaneous Symbols block, Unicode 5.2. A traffic sign: The Unicode names list glosses it as icy road.
  • Circled crossing lanes U+26D2 Circled crossing lanes. Miscellaneous Symbols block, Unicode 5.2. A traffic sign: The Unicode names list glosses it as road closed.
  • Crossing lanes U+26CC Crossing lanes. Miscellaneous Symbols block, Unicode 5.2. A traffic sign: The Unicode names list glosses it as accident.
  • Cup on a black square U+26FE Cup on black square. Miscellaneous Symbols block, Unicode 5.2. A map sign: The Unicode names list glosses it as drive-in restaurant.
  • Decimal exponent symbol U+23E8 Decimal exponent symbol. Miscellaneous Technical block, Unicode 5.2. The Unicode names list says it was the Algol-60 token for scientific notation literals.
  • Drive slow sign U+26DA Drive slow sign. Miscellaneous Symbols block, Unicode 5.2. A traffic sign whose name is its meaning.
Show all 110 weird symbols (102 more)

Odd official names, continued

  • Gear with handles U+26EE Gear with handles. Miscellaneous Symbols block, Unicode 5.2. A map sign: The Unicode names list glosses it as power plant, power substation.
  • Heavy circle with stroke and two dots U+26E3 Heavy circle with stroke and two dots above. Miscellaneous Symbols block, Unicode 5.2. A map sign: The Unicode names list glosses it as public office.
  • Historic site U+26EC Historic site. Miscellaneous Symbols block, Unicode 5.2. A map sign of three dots.
  • Inverted interrobang U+2E18 Inverted interrobang. Supplemental Punctuation block, Unicode 5.1. A question mark and an exclamation mark in one, upside down. The Unicode names list also calls it gnaborretni.
  • Inverted ohm sign U+2127 Inverted ohm sign. Letterlike Symbols block, Unicode 1.1. The Unicode names list also calls it mho, an archaic unit of conductance.
  • Japanese bank symbol U+26FB Japanese bank symbol. Miscellaneous Symbols block, Unicode 5.2. A map sign.
  • Japanese industrial standard symbol U+3004 Japanese industrial standard symbol. CJK Symbols and Punctuation block, Unicode 1.1. A standards mark with a code point of its own.
  • Korean standard symbol U+327F Korean standard symbol. Enclosed CJK Letters and Months block, Unicode 1.1. The same idea from another country.
  • Map symbol for lighthouse U+26EF Map symbol for lighthouse. Miscellaneous Symbols block, Unicode 5.2. The name says all of it.
  • Rotated capital Q U+213A Rotated capital q. Letterlike Symbols block, Unicode 3.0. The Unicode names list says it is a binding signature mark.
  • Shouldered open box U+237D Shouldered open box. Miscellaneous Technical block, Unicode 3.0. The Unicode names list says it is the keyboard symbol for No Break Space.
  • Square lozenge U+2311 Square lozenge. Miscellaneous Technical block, Unicode 1.1. The Unicode names list also calls it Kissen, pillow, and says it was some very old computers' command delimiter.
  • Squared key U+26BF Squared key. Miscellaneous Symbols block, Unicode 5.2. The Unicode names list glosses it as parental lock.
  • Three lines converging left U+269F Three lines converging left. Miscellaneous Symbols block, Unicode 5.2. The other half of the pair: The Unicode names list glosses it as background speaking.
  • Three lines converging right U+269E Three lines converging right. Miscellaneous Symbols block, Unicode 5.2. A sign made for closed captions: The Unicode names list glosses it as someone speaking.
  • Tironian sign et U+204A Tironian sign et. General Punctuation block, Unicode 3.0. The Unicode names list notes its use in Irish Gaelic and Old English.
  • Turned capital G U+2141 Turned sans-serif capital g. Letterlike Symbols block, Unicode 3.2. The Unicode names list gives it the name game.
  • Zigzag arrow in a right angle U+237C Right angle with downwards zigzag arrow. Miscellaneous Technical block, Unicode 3.2. The Unicode names list gives it one other name, azimuth.

Oversized characters 13

  • Bottom curly bracket U+23DF Bottom curly bracket. Miscellaneous Technical block, Unicode 5.0. Its partner, facing up.
  • Javanese pada andap U+A9C3 Javanese pada andap. Javanese block, Unicode 5.2. The third of the same set.
  • Javanese pada luhur U+A9C5 Javanese pada luhur. Javanese block, Unicode 5.2. A Javanese punctuation mark, drawn far wider than a letter by the fonts that have it.
  • Javanese pada madya U+A9C4 Javanese pada madya. Javanese block, Unicode 5.2. A sibling of pada luhur, just as wide.
  • Malayalam sign para U+0D4F Malayalam sign para. Malayalam block, Unicode 9.0. The Unicode names list says it was used historically to measure rice.
  • Myanmar letter au U+102A Myanmar letter au. Myanmar block, Unicode 3.0. A vowel letter of the Myanmar script, here for its width.
  • Tamil as above sign U+0BF8 Tamil as above sign. Tamil block, Unicode 4.0. The Unicode names list also calls it merpadi and files it with the Tamil clerical symbols.
  • Tamil credit sign U+0BF7 Tamil credit sign. Tamil block, Unicode 4.0. The Unicode names list also calls it eduppu.
  • Tamil month sign U+0BF4 Tamil month sign. Tamil block, Unicode 4.0. The Unicode names list also calls it maatham.
  • Tamil year sign U+0BF5 Tamil year sign. Tamil block, Unicode 4.0. The Unicode names list also calls it varudam.
  • Three-em dash U+2E3B Three-em dash. Supplemental Punctuation block, Unicode 6.1. One dash, three ems long.
  • Top curly bracket U+23DE Top curly bracket. Miscellaneous Technical block, Unicode 5.0. A curly bracket lying on its side, as wide as the font makes it.
  • Two-em dash U+2E3A Two-em dash. Supplemental Punctuation block, Unicode 6.1. The Unicode names list also calls it omission dash.

Whole words in one square 24

  • a.m. in one square U+33C2 Square am. CJK Compatibility block, Unicode 1.1. Two letters and two full stops in a single character.
  • Apartment, in katakana U+3300 Square apaato. CJK Compatibility block, Unicode 1.1. The Unicode names list glosses it as apartment.
  • cc in one square U+33C4 Square cc. CJK Compatibility block, Unicode 1.1. Two letters in one cell.
  • Co. in one square U+33C7 Square co. CJK Compatibility block, Unicode 1.1. Two letters and a full stop.
  • Corporation, in one square U+337F Square corporation. CJK Compatibility block, Unicode 1.1. Four characters, 株式会社, squeezed into the room of one. The Unicode names list also calls it kabusiki-gaisya and glosses it as incorporated.
  • dB in one square U+33C8 Square db. CJK Compatibility block, Unicode 1.1. Two letters in one cell.
  • Dollar, in katakana U+3326 Square doru. CJK Compatibility block, Unicode 1.1. The Unicode names list glosses it as dollar.
  • Era name Heisei U+337B Square era name Heisei. CJK Compatibility block, Unicode 1.1. A Japanese era name, the two characters 平成 in one square.
  • Era name Reiwa U+32FF Square era name Reiwa. Enclosed CJK Letters and Months block, Unicode 12.1. The newest of the squared era names: it arrived in Unicode 12.1.
  • Era name Showa U+337C Square era name Syouwa. CJK Compatibility block, Unicode 1.1. Unicode spells this era name Syouwa.
  • FAX in one character U+213B Facsimile sign. Letterlike Symbols block, Unicode 4.0. Three letters that count as one character.
  • hPa in one square U+3371 Square hpa. CJK Compatibility block, Unicode 1.1. Three letters in one cell.
  • Kilo, in katakana U+3314 Square kiro. CJK Compatibility block, Unicode 1.1. A whole katakana word in one square. The Unicode names list glosses it as kilo-.
  • KK in one square U+33CD Square kk. CJK Compatibility block, Unicode 1.1. Two capital letters in one cell.
  • ln in one square U+33D1 Square ln. CJK Compatibility block, Unicode 1.1. Two letters in one cell.
  • log in one square U+33D2 Square log. CJK Compatibility block, Unicode 1.1. Three letters in one cell.
  • Mansion, in katakana U+3347 Square mansyon. CJK Compatibility block, Unicode 1.1. The Unicode names list glosses it as mansion, meaning a better quality apartment.
  • Meter, in katakana U+334D Square meetoru. CJK Compatibility block, Unicode 1.1. The Unicode names list glosses it as meter.
  • p.m. in one square U+33D8 Square pm. CJK Compatibility block, Unicode 1.1. The afternoon partner of the a.m. square.
  • Percent, in katakana U+332B Square paasento. CJK Compatibility block, Unicode 1.1. The Unicode names list glosses it as percent.
  • rad in one square U+33AD Square rad. CJK Compatibility block, Unicode 1.1. Three letters in one cell.
  • TEL in one character U+2121 Telephone sign. Letterlike Symbols block, Unicode 1.1. Three letters that count as one character.
  • Telegraph symbol for day one U+33E0 Ideographic telegraph symbol for day one. CJK Compatibility block, Unicode 1.1. The digit 1 and the character 日 in one cell.
  • Telegraph symbol for January U+32C0 Ideographic telegraph symbol for january. Enclosed CJK Letters and Months block, Unicode 1.1. The digit 1 and the character 月 in one cell.

Keyboard legends and APL signs 26

  • AC current U+23E6 Ac current. Miscellaneous Technical block, Unicode 5.0. A technical sign named for alternating current.
  • Alternative key symbol U+2387 Alternative key symbol. Miscellaneous Technical block, Unicode 3.0. A keyboard legend.
  • APL circle backslash U+2349 APL functional symbol circle backslash. Miscellaneous Technical block, Unicode 1.1. A circle with a slanted bar.
  • APL circle stile U+233D APL functional symbol circle stile. Miscellaneous Technical block, Unicode 1.1. A circle with a bar through it.
  • APL delta stile U+234B APL functional symbol delta stile. Miscellaneous Technical block, Unicode 1.1. A triangle with a bar through it.
  • APL quad colon U+2360 APL functional symbol quad colon. Miscellaneous Technical block, Unicode 1.1. A colon in a box.
  • APL quad diamond U+233A APL functional symbol quad diamond. Miscellaneous Technical block, Unicode 1.1. A diamond in a box. Unicode files it under APL.
  • APL quad divide U+2339 APL functional symbol quad divide. Miscellaneous Technical block, Unicode 1.1. A division sign in a box.
  • APL quote quad U+235E APL functional symbol quote quad. Miscellaneous Technical block, Unicode 1.1. A box with a tick at the top.
  • APL up shoe jot U+235D APL functional symbol up shoe jot. Miscellaneous Technical block, Unicode 1.1. Filed under APL, like the seven tiles after it.
  • Bell symbol U+237E Bell symbol. Miscellaneous Technical block, Unicode 3.0. A picture for a control code. The Unicode names list says it comes from ISO 2047.
  • Circled bar with a notch U+2389 Circled horizontal bar with notch. Miscellaneous Technical block, Unicode 3.0. A keyboard legend: The Unicode names list glosses it as pause.
  • Composition symbol U+2384 Composition symbol. Miscellaneous Technical block, Unicode 3.0. A keyboard legend.
  • Conical taper U+2332 Conical taper. Miscellaneous Technical block, Unicode 1.1. A drafting sign.
  • Counterbore U+2334 Counterbore. Miscellaneous Technical block, Unicode 1.1. A drafting sign.
  • Cylindricity U+232D Cylindricity. Miscellaneous Technical block, Unicode 1.1. A drafting sign.
  • Dentistry symbol with circle U+23C0 Dentistry symbol light vertical with circle. Miscellaneous Technical block, Unicode 3.2. One of a run of dentistry notation symbols.
  • Earth ground U+23DA Earth ground. Miscellaneous Technical block, Unicode 4.1. An electrotechnical sign.
  • Electrical intersection U+23E7 Electrical intersection. Miscellaneous Technical block, Unicode 5.0. A technical sign.
  • Emphasis symbol U+2383 Emphasis symbol. Miscellaneous Technical block, Unicode 3.0. A keyboard legend.
  • Enter symbol U+2386 Enter symbol. Miscellaneous Technical block, Unicode 3.0. A keyboard legend.
  • Fuse U+23DB Fuse. Miscellaneous Technical block, Unicode 4.1. An electrotechnical sign.
  • Software-function symbol U+2394 Software-function symbol. Miscellaneous Technical block, Unicode 3.0. A hexagon. Unicode files it with the electrotechnical symbols.
  • Telephone recorder U+2315 Telephone recorder. Miscellaneous Technical block, Unicode 1.1. The name is all Unicode says about it.
  • Total runout U+2330 Total runout. Miscellaneous Technical block, Unicode 1.1. A drafting sign.
  • Undo symbol U+238C Undo symbol. Miscellaneous Technical block, Unicode 3.0. A keyboard legend from ISO/IEC 9995-7.

Marks that wrap a letter 11

  • Letter in a burst of dashes U+0488 Combining Cyrillic hundred thousands sign, shown on the letter a. Cyrillic block, Unicode 3.0. Unicode names it the Cyrillic hundred thousands sign.
  • Letter in a circle U+20DD Combining enclosing circle, shown on the letter a. Combining Diacritical Marks for Symbols block, Unicode 1.1. Type it after any character and a circle goes round it.
  • Letter in a diamond U+20DF Combining enclosing diamond, shown on the letter a. Combining Diacritical Marks for Symbols block, Unicode 1.1. A diamond round the letter.
  • Letter in a keycap U+20E3 Combining enclosing keycap, shown on the letter a. Combining Diacritical Marks for Symbols block, Unicode 3.0. The mark that turns a digit into a keycap emoji.
  • Letter in a ring of commas U+0489 Combining Cyrillic millions sign, shown on the letter a. Cyrillic block, Unicode 3.0. Named the Cyrillic millions sign.
  • Letter in a ring of crosses U+A672 Combining Cyrillic thousand millions sign, shown on the letter a. Cyrillic Extended-B block, Unicode 5.1. Named the Cyrillic thousand millions sign.
  • Letter in a ring of dots U+A671 Combining Cyrillic hundred millions sign, shown on the letter a. Cyrillic Extended-B block, Unicode 5.1. Named the Cyrillic hundred millions sign.
  • Letter in a ring of strokes U+A670 Combining Cyrillic ten millions sign, shown on the letter a. Cyrillic Extended-B block, Unicode 5.1. Named the Cyrillic ten millions sign.
  • Letter in a square U+20DE Combining enclosing square, shown on the letter a. Combining Diacritical Marks for Symbols block, Unicode 1.1. The same trick with a square.
  • Letter in a triangle U+20E4 Combining enclosing upward pointing triangle, shown on the letter a. Combining Diacritical Marks for Symbols block, Unicode 3.2. A triangle round the letter.
  • Letter with a no sign U+20E0 Combining enclosing circle backslash, shown on the letter a. Combining Diacritical Marks for Symbols block, Unicode 1.1. A circle with a slash over the letter.

Weird, typed 10

  • ᴡᴇɪʀᴅ Weird in small capitals
  • ⓦⓔⓘⓡⓓ Weird in circled letters
  • 𝕨𝕖𝕚𝕣𝕕 Weird in double-struck letters
  • 🅆🄴🄸🅁🄳 Weird in squared capitals
  • ｗｅｉｒｄ Weird in fullwidth letters
  • ⌺ name ⌺ A name between two boxed diamonds
  • ⍼ name ⍼ A name between two zigzag arrows
  • ⚞ name ⚟ A name between the two speaking signs
  • ⸻ name ⸻ A name between two very long dashes
  • pɹᴉǝʍ Weird in turned letters: it reads when the screen is upside down

How this list was compiled: Every character was checked against UnicodeData.txt, version 18.0.0 (https://www.unicode.org/Public/18.0.0/ucd/UnicodeData.txt): the code points and the character names in the notes come from that file, names in sentence case. Block names come from Blocks.txt (https://www.unicode.org/Public/18.0.0/ucd/Blocks.txt) and the Unicode version each character arrived in from DerivedAge.txt (https://www.unicode.org/Public/18.0.0/ucd/DerivedAge.txt), both version 18.0.0. What each sign was made for comes from NamesList.txt, version 18.0.0 (https://www.unicode.org/Public/18.0.0/ucd/NamesList.txt): its other names, its annotations and the subheading a character is filed under (weather symbols, traffic signs, map symbols and closed-captioning symbols from ARIB STD B24, keyboard symbols from ISO/IEC 9995-7, drafting symbols, APL). The build stops if a note quotes something that file does not say. What a squared word holds is its compatibility decomposition in UnicodeData.txt. Where the names list says nothing, the note stops at the name. No character of a religious text is filed here, and a borrowed letter or punctuation mark is named as what it is. Which characters count as weird, and every typed line, are this site's own choice; the tile names are this site's own. Each tile was drawn with the macOS system fonts before it was kept; a character no installed font could draw was dropped. All sources were read on 2026-09-30. Licence: own work

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