Decimal vs. Hexadecimal HTML Codes
Decimal and hexadecimal HTML character references produce the same character when they identify the same Unicode code point. The difference is only the number system used in the source.
Side-by-Side Examples
| Character | Unicode | Decimal HTML | Hexadecimal HTML |
|---|---|---|---|
| © | U+00A9 | © | © |
| € | U+20AC | € | € |
| ✓ | U+2713 | ✓ | ✓ |
| 😀 | U+1F600 | 😀 | 😀 |
Which Form Should You Use?
Hexadecimal aligns directly with Unicode U+ notation, CSS escapes, JavaScript code-point escapes, and many developer references. Decimal may be more familiar to people working from decimal character tables or legacy documentation. Browsers treat both forms equivalently.
Consistency is more important than the choice. Keep the semicolon, use a valid scalar value, and ensure the surrounding HTML is correct.