Left Square Bracket
Block: Basic Latin
- Symbol
- [
- Unicode
U+005B- Unicode name
- LEFT SQUARE BRACKET
- Block
- Basic Latin
- Script
- Common
- Category
- Punctuation, Open
- Type
- Punctuation character
Left Square Bracket ([) is encoded as U+005B and has the formal Unicode name LEFT SQUARE BRACKET. Unicode classifies it as Punctuation, Open in the Basic Latin block. The left square bracket opens a bracketed expression. Separately encoded named neighbors include ] Right Square Bracket (U+005D), ⟦ Mathematical Left White Square Bracket (U+27E6), and ［ Fullwidth Left Square Bracket (U+FF3B); those records should be compared by name and code point rather than merged because their shapes or terminology are related.
Why [ Is a Distinct Typographic Character
[ is Left Square Bracket (U+005B), classified by Unicode as Punctuation, Open. 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 is the [ symbol called? and identify it from the character, Unicode value, or appearance.
Unicode Distinctions Around [
Unicode stores [ as U+005B, while nearby records include ] Right Square Bracket (U+005D), ⟦ Mathematical Left White Square Bracket (U+27E6), and ［ Fullwidth Left Square Bracket (U+FF3B). 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.
Encoding [ in HTML and Source Text
U+005B = decimal 91 = HTML [ / [. A Unicode escape-style form is u005B. Its UTF-8 bytes are 5B.
Use these identifiers in markup, source code, exports, or character diagnostics when the glyph alone is not enough.
[ Compared With ], ⟦, and ［
This character is linked with nearby or confusable records including ] Right Square Bracket (U+005D), ⟦ Mathematical Left White Square Bracket (U+27E6), and ［ Fullwidth Left Square Bracket (U+FF3B). 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.
The recorded use of Left Square Bracket
[ is used in the role described for Left Square Bracket: the left square bracket opens a bracketed expression.
In that context, U+005B identifies the character itself. The surrounding text supplies the specific information or notation that the mark accompanies, so character identity and document context should be kept separate.