Asterisk
Block: Basic Latin
- Symbol
- *
- Unicode
U+002A- Unicode name
- ASTERISK
- Block
- Basic Latin
- Script
- Common
- Category
- Punctuation, Other
- Type
- Punctuation character
Asterisk (*) is encoded as U+002A and has the formal Unicode name ASTERISK. Unicode classifies it as Punctuation, Other in the Basic Latin block. The asterisk is a star-like punctuation character with uses in writing, mathematics, and computing. The code point is the stable identifier when fonts, copy-and-paste, or surrounding context make the glyph ambiguous.
Why * Is a Distinct Typographic Character
* is Asterisk (U+002A), classified by Unicode as Punctuation, Other. In digital typography, that encoded identity is separate from the font drawing: a typeface can change width, stroke, or placement without turning the character into another code point.
This matters when punctuation, currency, or measurement marks have close visual neighbors. Preserve the intended character first; language- or style-guide spacing rules can then be applied without silently substituting a different mark.
Looking for a different mark? Try what does * mean? and identify it from the character, Unicode value, or appearance.
How * Is Encoded
U+002A = decimal 42 = HTML * / *. A Unicode escape-style form is u002A. Its UTF-8 bytes are 2A.
Use these identifiers in markup, source code, exports, or character diagnostics when the glyph alone is not enough.
Characters That Can Be Confused With *
This character is linked with nearby or confusable records including ★ Black Star (U+2605), ∗ Asterisk Operator (U+2217), and ✱ Heavy Asterisk (U+2731). The relationship is useful for identification, but it does not make those characters interchangeable.
Fonts can reduce or exaggerate visual differences, so use each character's Unicode value and name when the distinction matters. Replacing one code point with another can change meaning, search behavior, parsing, sorting, or typography even when the glyphs appear close on screen.
What Asterisk Does in Real Text
The asterisk is a star-like punctuation character with uses in writing, mathematics, and computing.
Why Asterisk Can Look Different Across Platforms
Unicode defines the character or sequence, but the visual artwork comes from the font, emoji set, and rendering system. As a result, shape, color, proportions, and detail can vary without changing the encoded identity.
For identification, compare code points and sequence data rather than expecting pixel-for-pixel consistency. This is especially important for emoji and symbols whose presentation is highly stylized by platforms.