Division Sign ÷

The Division Sign character (÷) is a standard HTML entity defined in the HTML specification. In HTML source code, it can be written using the named entity reference ÷, the decimal numeric character reference ÷, or the hexadecimal numeric reference ÷. The character is assigned Unicode code point U+00F7 in the Universal Character Set.

The division sign (obelus) is the standard symbol for division displayed as a horizontal line with dots above and below. While the forward slash is more common in programming and informal writing, the obelus is the traditional mathematical division symbol used in education and formal mathematical notation.

Mathematical HTML entities enable web authors to display proper mathematical notation without relying on images or specialized rendering libraries like MathJax or KaTeX. While complex equations and multi-line formulas may still benefit from dedicated math typesetting tools, individual symbols expressed as HTML entities render quickly, remain accessible to screen readers, and can be styled with CSS just like regular text content.

When deciding how to encode the Division Sign character in your HTML documents, the named entity ÷ is generally the most readable choice for developers reviewing or maintaining source code. The decimal form ÷ and hexadecimal form ÷ are equally valid alternatives that work in contexts where named entities may not be supported, or when generating HTML output programmatically from server-side code. All three representations produce identical visual output in every modern web browser.

Use the division sign in educational content, mathematical notation, and contexts where the traditional division symbol is expected. In programming and technical documentation, the forward slash (/) is more conventional for division. The entity is essential for math worksheets and educational web applications.