&
Ampersand
The ampersand (&) serves as both a typographic symbol meaning 'and' and a critical element in web development, business branding, and formal documentation.
Technical Details
- ASCII Code
- 38
- HTML Entity
- &
- Hexadecimal
- 0x26
- Binary
- 00100110
- Octal
- 46
Usage & Examples
Programming
char symbol = '&'; // ASCII 38HTML/Web
& or &Common Uses
How to Type This Character
Windows
Mac
💡 Pro tip: The fastest way is to bookmark this page or copy the character from our ASCII library!
Related Characters
About the Ampersand
Typographic Elegance
The ampersand represents one of typography's most aesthetically pleasing symbols, combining function with visual appeal. It saves space while maintaining readability, making it essential for headlines, logos, and design where brevity and style matter.
Business Branding
Integral to corporate identity and legal business names (Johnson & Johnson, AT&T, H&M), the ampersand conveys partnership, collaboration, and established tradition. It appears in law firm names, professional partnerships, and luxury brand identities.
Web Development
Critical in HTML and web development for character entities (&, <, >), URL parameters, and XML parsing. The symbol enables proper encoding of special characters and data transmission in web technologies.
Linguistic Efficiency
Functions as a universal conjunction across languages and cultures, enabling concise expression in titles, lists, and formal documents. It bridges languages by providing a recognizable symbol for 'and' relationships.
History of the Ampersand
Roman Origins
Roman scribes developed a ligature combining the letters 'e' and 't' (Latin 'et' meaning 'and'), creating the foundation for the modern ampersand through stylistic evolution over centuries.
Printing Press Adoption
Gutenberg and early printers included ampersand designs in their typefaces, standardizing its appearance and cementing its role in formal printed documents and typography.
Name Creation
The term 'ampersand' emerged from the phrase 'and per se and' (meaning 'and by itself means and'), used when reciting the alphabet with & as the 27th letter.
Corporate Branding
Major corporations began incorporating ampersands into their official names and logos, establishing the symbol's association with business partnerships and professional credibility.
HTML Standard
The World Wide Web adopted ampersand-based character entities (&, , etc.), making the symbol fundamental to web development and digital document encoding.
Cultural Impact
The ampersand bridged ancient Roman efficiency with modern digital communication, evolving from a scribal shortcut to a symbol of sophistication, partnership, and technical precision in contemporary society.
Usage Examples
Corporate Branding
ExampleBusiness names and legal entity identification
Web Development
ExampleCharacter encoding and URL parameter separation
Typography & Design
ExampleElegant conjunction in formal and artistic contexts
Academic Writing
ExampleFormal documentation and educational contexts