Gender symbols
Gender Symbols
Tap ♂ or ♀ to copy, or search a name like transgender or restroom. Click or tap to copy the male ♂ or female ♀ sign, symbols used for intersex ⚥ and transgender ⚧ identities, relationship symbols, planet symbols or restroom signs.
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How to type gender symbols
Copying from this page is the quickest way on any device. These built-in options also work.
- Word for Windows: type the code and press Alt + X, such as 2642 for ♂, 2640 for ♀, 26A5 for ⚥ or 26A7 for ⚧. In HTML, ♂ and ♀ give ♂ and ♀.
- Mac: choose Edit > Emoji & Symbols (or press Fn/Globe + E), expand the viewer and search for male, female or transgender.
- iPhone and Android: the emoji keyboard includes ♂️ ♀️ ⚧️, restroom signs and the transgender flag 🏳️⚧️; search the emoji keyboard by name.
What each gender symbol means
♂ (U+2642, male sign) and ♀ (U+2640, female sign) are the standard male and female symbols in biology and everyday use. They are also the astronomical and astrological symbols for Mars and Venus.
Unicode's own notes list ⚥ (male and female sign) for intersex and androgynous, ⚧ and ⚦ for transgender, ☿ (Mercury) for intersex, ⚢ and ⚣ (doubled female and doubled male) for lesbian and gay (Unicode's wording: female and male homosexuality), ⚤ (interlocked female and male) for straight (heterosexuality), and ⚪ (medium white circle) for asexuality or genderless. People and communities use these symbols in different ways, so let context guide how you use them.
Text symbols vs emoji versions
♂ ♀ ⚧ are text symbols that follow your font color. Adding the invisible selector U+FE0F makes ♂️ ♀️ ⚧️, which most phones and apps show as colorful emoji. The meaning is the same; pick text for documents and emoji for posts.
The transgender flag 🏳️⚧️ is an emoji sequence: a white flag, a zero-width joiner and the transgender symbol, plus invisible emoji selectors. On older devices it can appear as two separate pieces.
Restroom and facility signs
For restroom directions, the emoji signs are clearer than text symbols: 🚹 men's room, 🚺 women's room, 🚻 restroom (a general restroom sign, sometimes used for family or all-gender restrooms) and 🚼 baby symbol for changing stations. For a form or chart, the shorter ♂ and ♀ usually fit better.
Where gender symbols came from
♂ and ♀ were planet symbols in ancient and medieval astronomy and alchemy. The botanist Carl Linnaeus is widely credited with using them in the 18th century to mark male and female plants, and biology has used them that way since.
Sources and standards
Frequently asked questions
How do I copy the male and female symbols?
Click or tap ♂ or ♀ and wait for the copied message, then paste it. In Word for Windows, you can also type 2642 and press Alt + X for ♂, or 2640 and press Alt + X for ♀.
What is the transgender symbol?
⚧ (U+26A7) is the symbol Unicode notes for transgender, and its emoji name is transgender symbol. The transgender flag emoji 🏳️⚧️ is also widely used.
What's the difference between ♂ and ♂️?
♂ is a text symbol that follows your font color. ♂️ adds U+FE0F, so most phones show it as a colored emoji. Both mean the same thing.
Which symbols are used for sexual orientation?
Unicode notes ⚢ (doubled female), ⚣ (doubled male) and ⚤ (interlocked female and male) to mean lesbian, gay and straight, using the terms female homosexuality, male homosexuality and heterosexuality. Usage varies, so consider your audience.
Which sign should I use for a restroom?
Use the emoji signs: 🚹 for the men's room, 🚺 for the women's room and 🚻 for a general or shared restroom (it's also used for family or single-user restrooms). 🚼 marks a baby changing station.
Why are ♂ and ♀ also planet symbols?
They began as symbols for Mars and Venus. Linnaeus is widely credited with adopting them in the 1700s to mark male and female in biology, which is why they now stand for both.