About Cross Symbols
What is a cross symbol?
A cross symbol is a text character shaped like a cross, such as ✝ or ❌.
Cross symbols range from the Christian Latin cross to the X mark, and each one is a separate Unicode character with its own name and code point, such as U+271D LATIN CROSS. That's why a cross sign pastes into any text box, scales with the font and needs no image.
- Latin cross. ✝ is U+271D. The emoji form ✝️ is the same character plus the variation selector U+FE0F.
- Cross mark. ❌ is U+274C, the red X emoji, added in Unicode 6.0 in 2010.
- HTML trap.
✗ is the ballot X ✗, not a Latin cross, and ✝ has no named HTML reference.
- Windows Alt codes. Alt+0134 types the dagger †, and Alt+0215 types the multiplication sign ×.
What are the different cross symbols called?
The main cross symbols are the Latin cross ✝, Orthodox cross ☦ and Maltese cross ✠.
Unicode gives every cross its own name. The table matches each Christian cross symbol and X mark to that name and to what people use it for.
Cross symbols with their Unicode names and code points
| Symbol | Unicode name | Code point | Used for |
|---|
| ✝ | Latin cross | U+271D | The standard Christian cross |
| ✞ | Shadowed white Latin cross | U+271E | A decorative Christian cross |
| ☦ | Orthodox cross | U+2626 | Eastern Orthodox churches |
| ☨ | Cross of Lorraine | U+2628 | A two-barred cross from heraldry |
| ☩ | Cross of Jerusalem | U+2629 | The Jerusalem or Crusader cross |
| ✠ | Maltese cross | U+2720 | An eight-pointed cross linked to the Knights of Malta |
| ♰ | West Syriac cross | U+2670 | Syriac Christian texts |
| ♱ | East Syriac cross | U+2671 | Syriac Christian texts |
| 🕈 | Celtic cross | U+1F548 | A cross with a ring around the center |
| † | Dagger | U+2020 | Footnotes, and a mark before a year of death |
| ⸸ | Turned dagger | U+2E38 | Used as an upside-down cross |
| ✚ | Heavy Greek cross | U+271A | An equal-armed cross, as in first aid signs |
| ☓ | Saltire | U+2613 | The diagonal cross of St Andrew |
| ❌ | Cross mark | U+274C | Wrong, no or cancel |
| ✗ | Ballot X | U+2717 | An unticked or rejected item |
How do you type a cross symbol on a keyboard?
Standard keyboards have no key for the Latin cross ✝, so copying it is the fastest route.
In Microsoft Word, type 271D and press Alt+X to turn the code into ✝. On Windows, the emoji panel (Win + .) has ✝️ and ❌, and on a Mac, Control+Command+Space opens the Character Viewer.
Text crosses like ✞, ☨ and ♱ aren't emoji, so phone keyboards don't offer them. Copy and paste them from the CodeShack cross symbol grid.
What is the difference between ✝ and ✝️?
✝ is the plain text Latin cross, and ✝️ is the same cross drawn as an emoji.
The emoji version adds the invisible variation selector U+FE0F, which asks apps to show a colored emoji picture. The plain version follows your font and text color, so it suits documents and headings.
Which symbols look like a cross but aren't?
Several symbols show up on cross symbol lists even though Unicode names them something else.
⛧ is an inverted pentagram, not an upside-down cross, and ♁ is the symbol for the planet Earth. ☥ is the Egyptian ankh, ☿ is Mercury and ☠ is the skull and crossbones.
For an upside-down cross, the closest character is ⸸, which Unicode calls the turned dagger.
Example
Clicking a cross symbol shows its codes, ready for HTML, CSS or JavaScript.
Unicode: U+271D
HTML: ✝
CSS: \271D
JavaScript: \u271D
The ballot X uses its named HTML reference, which is why ✗ gives ✗ and not ✝:
Unicode: U+2717
HTML: ✗
CSS: \2717
JavaScript: \u2717
Common mistakes
These cross symbol mistakes come up in bios, documents and web pages.
- Using ✗ for a Latin cross. The named reference
✗ draws the ballot X ✗. Write ✝ for ✝.
- Picking ⛧ or ♁ as a cross. Symbol lists often label them crosses, but they're the inverted pentagram and Earth. Use ✝, or ⸸ for an upside-down cross.
- Expecting ❌ to change color. ❌ is an emoji with its own red, so font color doesn't touch it. Use ✗ or ✘ when an X cross symbol has to match your text.
Common Use Cases
People copy cross symbols for faith, lists, memorials and math.
- Bios and captions. ✝, ✞ or ♱ next to a name, a verse or a church event.
- Memorials and family trees. The dagger † before a year of death, as in † 1921.
- Checklists and forms. ✗ or ❌ as a cross icon beside items that failed or were skipped.
- Math. × for multiplication and ⨯ for the vector cross product.
For tick and cross pairs like ✔ and ✘, see the check mark symbols. To strike a line through words instead, use the strikethrough text generator. The rest of the collection is on the text symbols page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cross symbol called?
The usual cross symbol ✝ is the Latin cross, listed in Unicode as U+271D LATIN CROSS. The X-shaped ❌ is a different character called the cross mark.
What does the ❌ cross mark mean?
The ❌ cross mark emoji means wrong, no or cancel. It was added to Unicode in version 6.0 in 2010.
Is ⛧ an upside-down cross?
No, ⛧ is an inverted pentagram, a five-pointed star turned upside down. For an upside-down cross, use ⸸, the turned dagger.
How do you type a cross symbol on a phone?
Open the emoji keyboard and search for cross to find ✝️ and ❌. Text cross symbols like ✞ and ☨ have no key on phone keyboards, so copy and paste them.
What is the HTML code for the cross symbol?
The HTML code for the Latin cross ✝ is ✝ or ✝, because ✝ has no named reference. The named reference ✗ gives the ballot X ✗ instead.
Is there a cross emoji?
Yes, ✝️ is the Latin cross emoji, and ☦️ is the Orthodox cross emoji. The red X ❌ is a separate emoji called the cross mark.
Can you use cross symbols in an Instagram or TikTok bio?
Yes, cross symbols are plain Unicode text, so they paste into Instagram, TikTok and other bios. Rare ones like 🕈 can show as an empty box on older phones that lack the font.