Writing symbols

How to Type the Paragraph Symbol

A practical guide to typing ¶ and using it in editing, legal, and publishing notes.

May 19, 2026 · 3 min read
Quick copy

Click a symbol below to copy it instantly. A confirmation message will appear when it is on your clipboard.

What the paragraph symbol means

The paragraph mark ¶, also called a pilcrow, is used in editing, layout, legal references, and typography. It can point to a paragraph or mark where a new paragraph begins.

The simple way to insert it

If your app does not provide a visible shortcut, copy ¶ and paste it. Writers, editors, and students often keep ¶, §, and bullet symbols together for comments and document notes.

Use it where it helps the reader

A paragraph symbol is useful in citations and editing notes, but it can look heavy in everyday writing. If the context is casual, a short sentence may be clearer than a symbol.

Related symbol collections

If you want more options, browse our punctuation and typography symbols, legal symbols. These pages are useful when you need to compare similar characters before copying one into a document.

What is the section symbol?

The section symbol § is often used for legal sections, while ¶ usually points to paragraphs.

Use it when discussing text structure

the symbol is useful in editing notes, legal references, proofreading, citations, and classroom materials. It points readers to a paragraph without writing the word every time. Keep a space between the symbol and the number if your style guide uses one.

Make sure readers understand it

Not every reader recognizes the symbol. If the document is for a broad audience, spell out “paragraph” once, then use the symbol for repeated references. This keeps the document friendly while still saving space.

Quick FAQ

Can I copy and paste it? Yes. Copying the symbol is safe for normal documents, emails, web forms, and design tools. If it appears wrong after pasting, switch to a common font or copy it again from TypeSymbol.com.