Zero Width Non-Joiner ‌

The Zero Width Non-Joiner 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+200C in the Universal Character Set.

The zero-width non-joiner (ZWNJ) is an invisible character that prevents adjacent characters from joining when they would otherwise form a connected glyph. It is essential in Arabic, Persian, and Indic scripts where letter forms change based on their neighbors. ZWNJ ensures proper display of certain word forms and abbreviations.

Punctuation and whitespace entities are among the most frequently used HTML entities in web development. They handle characters that either have special meaning in HTML syntax — such as angle brackets and ampersands — or represent typographic characters that improve the visual quality of text, like em dashes and curly quotes. Proper use of punctuation entities is essential for producing valid, well-formed HTML documents and achieving professional-looking typography on the web.

When deciding how to encode the Zero Width Non-Joiner 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 zero-width non-joiner in Persian and Arabic text to prevent unwanted ligatures, and in Indic scripts to break conjunct consonants. It is also used in some languages to separate compound words while maintaining correct text search and selection behavior. Most English-language content does not require ZWNJ.