Latin Small Letter F with Hook

The Mathematical Symbol "Latin Small Letter F with Hook (ƒ)"

The "Latin Small Letter F with Hook" Symbol (ƒ): A Typography Marvel

Typography encompasses a universe of characters, each with its unique history and application. Among these, the ƒ symbol, representing the "Latin Small Letter F with Hook," holds a distinctive place. Unlike many symbols that are purely mathematical or linguistic in nature, ƒ is a confluence of culture, typography, and linguistics.

Unraveling the ƒ Symbol

The ƒ symbol is commonly known as the "florin" symbol. It originates from the old Dutch currency named 'florin.' Over time, however, the symbol found its way into typography and linguistic applications beyond its monetary origins.

Example 1: Currency

Historically, the florin currency was prevalent in various regions:

In the Dutch context, the currency abbreviation might be written as 100 ƒ to represent 100 florins.

Example 2: Linguistic Usage

In certain linguistic scenarios, the ƒ symbol has been employed as a specialized character:

In some phonetic notations, ƒ could be used to represent a specific sound or phoneme.

Contemporary Relevance and Application

While the florin as a currency is no longer in active circulation, the ƒ symbol persists in various capacities:

• Typography & Design: Owing to its unique design, the ƒ character is sometimes incorporated into design elements or logos for aesthetic appeal.
• Linguistics: Phonetic transcriptions in specific contexts or languages might use the ƒ as a specialized character.
• Digital World: The symbol can be found in character maps and is accessible for digital use via the HTML entity ƒ.

The legacy of the ƒ symbol stands as a testament to how characters evolve over time, adapting to new roles and contexts. From currency representation to linguistic application, it showcases the fluidity and adaptability of symbols in human culture.

In summary, the ƒ symbol, or the "Latin Small Letter F with Hook", is more than just a character. It embodies history, culture, and the dynamism of human expression, reminding us of the rich tapestry that forms the foundation of written communication.

Are You Good at Mathematical Symbols?

Do you know, or can you guess, the technical symbols? Well, let's see! Show Instructions

Codes for the ƒ Symbol

The Symbol	ƒ	copy
Alt Code	Alt 402	copy
HTML Code	ƒ	copy
HTML Entity	ƒ	copy
CSS Code	\0192	copy
Hex Code	ƒ	copy
Unicode	U+0192	copy

How To Insert the ƒ Symbol

(Method 1) Copy and paste the symbol.

The easiest way to get the ƒ symbol is to copy and paste it into your document.

Bear in mind that this is a UTF-8 encoded character. It must be encoded as UTF-8 at all stages (copying, replacing, editing, pasting), otherwise it will render as random characters or the dreaded �.

(Method 2) Use the "Alt Code."

If you have a keyboard with a numeric pad, you can use this method. Simply hold down the Alt key and type 402. When you lift the Alt key, the symbol appears. ("Num Lock" must be on.)

(Method 3) Use the HTML Decimal Code (for webpages).

HTML Text	Output
<b>My symbol: &#402;</b>	My symbol: ƒ

(Method 4) Use the HTML Entity Code (for webpages).

HTML Text	Output
<b>My symbol: &fnof;</b>	My symbol: ƒ

(Method 5) Use the CSS Code (for webpages).

CSS and HTML Text	Output
<style> span:after { content: "\0192";} </style> <span>My symbol:</span>	My symbol: ƒ

(Method 6) Use the HTML Hex Code (for webpages and HTML canvas).

HTML Text	Output
<b>My symbol: &#x0192;</b>	My symbol: ƒ

On the assumption that you already have your canvas and the context set up, use the Hex code in the format 0x0192 to place the ƒ symbol on your canvas. For example:

JavaScript Text
const x = "0x"+"E9" ctx.fillText(String.fromCodePoint(x), 5, 5);
Output
ƒ

(Method 7) Use the Unicode (for various, e.g. Microsoft Office, JavaScript, Perl).

The Unicode for ƒ is U+0192. The important part is the hexadecimal number after the U+, which is used in various formats. For example, in Microsoft Office applications (e.g. Word, PowerPoint), do the following:

Type	Output
0192 [Hold down Alt] [Press x]	ƒ (The 0192 turns into ƒ. Note that you can omit any leading zeros.)

In JavaScript, the syntax is \uXXXX. So, our example would be \u0192. (Note that the format is 4 hexadecimal characters.)

JavaScript Text	Output
let str = "\u0192" document.write("My symbol: " + str)	My symbol: ƒ