X in a Box Symbol ☒ – How to Type It on Your Keyboard (Windows & Mac)
The X in a Box symbol (☒) is used for things like:
- A ticked checkbox
- A ballot box with X
- Showing that an option is selected, wrong, or not allowed
In this guide, you’ll learn how to type or insert ☒ on:
- Windows (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and other apps)
- Mac (using Unicode Hex Input and menus)
- Any app using copy and paste
- Extra options like emoji-style X in a box
X in a Box – Quick Reference
1. Click to copy X in a Box symbols
Click any symbol below to copy it, then paste into Word, Excel, Google Docs, or anywhere else.
Tip: The classic “X in a box” for documents is ☒. The ❎ and ❌ versions are emoji-style and may look different on each device.
2. Main codes and shortcuts
| Symbol | Common name | Best for… | Word (Windows) | Mac (Unicode Hex) | Unicode | HTML code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ☒ | Ballot Box With X | Checkboxes / forms | 2612 then Alt+X | Option+2612 | U+2612 | ☒, ☒ |
| ❎ | Negative Squared Cross Mark | Emoji-style “X in box” | Copy & paste / emoji panel | Copy & paste | U+274E | ❎, ❎ |
🔎 Important:
- The proper “X in a box” character is ☒ (Ballot Box with X, U+2612).
- Some people also use ❎ or ❌ as a visual X-in-a-box substitute, especially in chats and apps that support emoji.
Method 1 – Type X in a Box in Word (Windows) using 2612 + Alt+X
The most reliable way to type ☒ in Microsoft Word on Windows is with the Alt+X shortcut.
Steps
- Place your cursor where you want the symbol.
- Type 2612 (this is the Unicode code for ☒).
- Immediately press Alt + X.
Word will convert 2612 into ☒.
- If you press Alt+X again, Word converts it back to
2612. - This works in Word and some other Microsoft Office apps that support Alt+X.