Semicolon Symbol Copy and Paste (;)
Semicolon
Unicode U+003B · HTML ; · Alt code Alt+59
Tap any symbol to copy it. Each tap also adds it to the box above, so you can copy several together.
Codes for every symbol on this page (Unicode, HTML, Alt, Mac, Word)
| Symbol | Name | Unicode | HTML | Windows Alt code | Mac | MS Word |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ; | Semicolon | U+003B | ; | Alt+59 | - | 003B then Alt+X |
| ； | Fullwidth semicolon | U+FF1B | ； | - | - | FF1B then Alt+X |
| ⁏ | Reversed semicolon | U+204F | ⁏ | - | - | 204F then Alt+X |
The semicolon symbol ; is a dot sitting on top of a comma. It is stronger than a comma but softer than a full stop, and it joins two ideas that belong together.
Many people write it as "semi colon symbol", but the correct spelling is one word: semicolon. Copy it from the box above, then read the three simple rules below with examples, plus how the ; symbol is used in computer code.
Rule 2: Before Linking Words Like However and Therefore
When a second sentence starts with a linking adverb such as however, therefore, moreover or otherwise, put a semicolon before it and a comma after it.
- The form was due on Monday; however, the office gave us one extra day.
- She practised every evening; therefore, she cleared the audition.
Using only a comma here ("due on Monday, however, the office...") is a very common error in exam answers.
Rule 3: Separate Long List Items
When the items in a list already contain commas, semicolons keep the groups clear.
Example: The tour covers Jaipur, Rajasthan; Agra, Uttar Pradesh; and Amritsar, Punjab.
With commas alone, a reader could think the list has six places. The semicolons show there are three.
Semicolon vs Colon vs Comma
| Mark | Strength | Main job | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| , comma | Light pause | Lists, short breaks | I bought pens, pencils and erasers. |
| ; semicolon | Medium pause | Joins two equal sentences | I bought pens; my brother bought pencils. |
| : colon | Pointer | Introduces what comes next | I bought one thing: a pen. |
| . full stop | Full stop | Ends a sentence | I bought a pen. |
Read the full colon rules on our colon symbol page, and the comma rules on the comma symbol page. All four are part of the main punctuation marks.
The Semicolon in Programming
In languages such as C, C++, Java and JavaScript, the semicolon marks the end of a statement, much like a full stop ends a sentence.
int marks = 92;printf("Pass");
Forgetting a semicolon is one of the first errors new coders see. In CSS, a semicolon ends each style rule: color: blue; font-size: 16px;. In Excel, some regional settings use ; instead of a comma between function arguments.
Outside grammar and code, some people wear the semicolon as a symbol of hope and continuing one's story, linked to a mental health awareness project.
How to Type the Semicolon Symbol
- Windows and Mac: press the ; key to the right of L, no Shift needed.
- Alt code: Alt+59 on the numeric keypad (Num Lock on).
- Word: type 003B, then Alt+X.
- Android: on most Android keyboards, tap ?123; the semicolon is on the first or second symbols page.
- iPhone: tap 123, and the semicolon is in the middle row.
The fullwidth semicolon ； (for Chinese and Japanese text) and the reversed semicolon ⁏ have no Alt code; tap them in the grid to copy. Be careful with look-alikes: the Greek question mark looks exactly like a semicolon, so code copied from Greek text can break.
Frequently asked questions
What is the ; symbol called?
The ; symbol is called a semicolon. It looks like a full stop placed above a comma and marks a pause stronger than a comma.
Is it semi colon or semicolon?
The standard spelling is semicolon, as one word. "Semi-colon" with a hyphen also appears in older British books, but "semi colon" with a space is not correct.
Do I use a capital letter after a semicolon?
No. The word after a semicolon starts with a small letter unless it is a name, such as India or Meera. A semicolon does not end the sentence.
Can I use a semicolon instead of a full stop?
Only when the two sentences are closely related. "I was hungry; I ate early" works. "I was hungry; Delhi is the capital" does not, because the ideas are not linked.
Why does code need a semicolon?
Languages like C and Java read code as a list of instructions. The semicolon tells the computer where one instruction ends, so it can move to the next.