Cross Symbol ✗: Copy the Wrong Mark and X Symbols

What Does the Cross Mark Symbol Mean?

A cross mark symbol is the opposite of a tick. Where ✓ says yes, ✗ says no. Common uses:

• Marking answers: ✗ next to a wrong answer in a test or quiz.
• Checklists: "Passport ✓, Visa ✗" shows what is still missing.
• Comparison tables: ✘ shows a feature that a plan does not include.
• Close or cancel: ✕ on a window or pop-up means close it.
• Chats: ❌ is a quick way to say "no" or "this is wrong".
• Forms: ☒ shows a box marked with an X. Note that in some forms an X in a box means "selected", not "no", so read the instructions.

Different X Symbols and When to Use Each

There are many X shapes in Unicode. They look close, but each has its own job:

A common mistake is to type the letter x for multiplication. For sums, use the proper sign from the multiplication symbol page. And when you need an x mark symbol for no or wrong, a cross symbol X like ✗ or ✘ is better than the letter X, because it stands out from the words around it.

Right and Wrong Symbol Pairs

Ticks and crosses work best as matching pairs, and a right wrong symbol set looks neat only when both marks share the same style. Choose one row and stick with it in the same document:

Example answer key: "Q1. Delhi ✓ Q2. 7 × 8 = 54 ✗". You can copy all the right marks from the tick symbol page.

Cross Emoji and X Emoji: ❌ ❎ ✖️ and the Purple Cross

The cross emoji most people use is ❌, the red X called "Cross mark". It is one of the original emojis, so it works on almost every phone. In chats it is the wrong emoji: "Wrong answer ❌", "Match cancelled ❌", "No sugar ❌". When people search for a red cross emoji, this red X is usually what they want.

Purple cross emoji and Christian cross emoji: ✝️ is the Latin cross emoji, a religious symbol of Christianity. On iPhone it is drawn as a white cross on a purple square, which is why people search for a "purple cross emoji". It does not mean wrong, so do not use it in place of ❌. The Christian cross symbol page explains it.

There is no emoji of the Red Cross emblem itself (see the section below). To type the x emoji, open the emoji keyboard on your phone and search "cross" or "x". On Windows press Windows+.; in Word type 274C then Alt+X. For a cross emoji copy and paste, tap ❌ or ❎ in the grid. More meanings are on our emoji meanings page and the emoji hub.

How to Type a Cross Symbol: Text, Keyboard, Word and Excel

Most X marks have no Alt code, so the cross symbol text keyboard question has a few answers depending on your device:

• Word (Windows): type 2717 then press Alt+X for ✗. Use 2718 for ✘ and 2612 for ☒.
• Word or Excel with Wingdings: set the font to Wingdings and press Alt+0251 on the number pad. It types û, which Wingdings draws as an X. It turns back into û if pasted outside Office.
• Excel formula: =UNICHAR(10007) gives ✗ in Excel 2013 and newer.
• Multiplication sign ×: this one does have an Alt code, Alt+0215, with Num Lock on.
• Mac: open Character Viewer with Control+Command+Space and search "x mark" or "ballot".
• Phone: open emoji and search "cross" or "x" to find ❌ and ❎. For a plain ✗, copy it from this page.

For a full step-by-step walk-through of every menu, see tick and cross in Word and Excel.

Christian Cross and Red Cross: Not the Same as the X Mark

People searching "cross symbol" sometimes mean something very different from an X:

• Christian cross ✝: an upright cross with a longer lower arm. It is a religious symbol of Christianity and should not be used to mean "wrong". You can copy it and read about its forms on the Christian cross symbol page, with other faith signs in religious symbols.
• Red cross symbol: a red plus-shaped cross on a white background. It is the emblem of the Red Cross movement and of medical services in armed conflict. It is a protected emblem under international humanitarian law and national laws, including in India, so it is not a general "hospital" or "medical" logo that anyone may use. This is general information, not legal advice.
• Medical cross: clinics and pharmacies often use a green cross or a different sign instead. For doctor-related signs, see the doctor symbol page.

Wrong Symbol PNG or Text?

Use the wrong symbol text version whenever you can. Text X marks are small, take your font colour, and work in search and on screen readers. Choose the Download PNG button only when an app accepts images and not text, such as a thumbnail or a video caption. The PNG comes with a transparent background, ready to drop onto any colour. Web designers can also use the HTML code from the info table, such as ✗ for ✗. More marks for maths and marking are in our math symbols section.