Backslash / Reverse Solidus
Block: Basic Latin
- Symbol
- \
- Unicode
U+005C- Unicode name
- REVERSE SOLIDUS
- Block
- Basic Latin
- Script
- Common
- Category
- Punctuation, Other
- Type
- Punctuation character
Backslash / Reverse Solidus () is encoded as U+005C and has the formal Unicode name REVERSE SOLIDUS. Unicode classifies it as Punctuation, Other in the Basic Latin block. U+005C is named REVERSE SOLIDUS in Unicode and is commonly called backslash. Separately encoded named neighbors include / Slash / Solidus (U+002F) and ＼ Fullwidth Reverse Solidus (U+FF3C); those records should be compared by name and code point rather than merged because their shapes or terminology are related.
Typography Uses the Character, Not Just the Shape
is Backslash / Reverse Solidus (U+005C), 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.
Compared With /, ＼, and ⧵
This character is linked with nearby or confusable records including / Slash / Solidus (U+002F), ＼ Fullwidth Reverse Solidus (U+FF3C), and ⧵ Reverse Solidus Operator (U+29F5). 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 Backslash / Reverse Solidus Does in Real Text
U+005C is named REVERSE SOLIDUS in Unicode and is commonly called backslash.
Do Not Collapse Backslash / Reverse Solidus Into Nearby Named Variants
Unicode stores as U+005C, while nearby records include / Slash / Solidus (U+002F) and ＼ Fullwidth Reverse Solidus (U+FF3C). These are separate encoded identities, not alternate font drawings of one character.
The comparison is useful because a shared word in the name, a mirrored direction, or a similar outline can make two symbols appear interchangeable. When the distinction matters, compare the complete Unicode name and code point before replacing one record with another.
Code-Point and UTF-8 Forms for
U+005C = decimal 92 = HTML \ / \. A Unicode escape-style form is u005C. Its UTF-8 bytes are 5C.
Use these identifiers in markup, source code, exports, or character diagnostics when the glyph alone is not enough.