@
At symbol
The at symbol (@) revolutionized digital communication as the cornerstone of email addresses and social media mentions, becoming one of the most recognizable symbols of the internet age.
Technical Details
- ASCII Code
- 64
- HTML Entity
- @
- Hexadecimal
- 0x40
- Binary
- 01000000
- Octal
- 100
Usage & Examples
Programming
char symbol = '@'; // ASCII 64HTML/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 At symbol
Communication Revolution
The @ symbol fundamentally transformed human communication by enabling email addressing systems and social media interactions. It serves as the universal separator between username and domain in email addresses, making global digital communication possible.
Social Media Integration
Beyond email, @ enables user mentions and tagging across social platforms (Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn), creating interconnected conversations and notification systems that define modern social networking and professional communication.
Technical Infrastructure
Essential for internet protocols, database queries, and programming languages. The symbol appears in Python decorators, CSS selectors, and various markup languages, demonstrating its evolution from commercial notation to technical functionality.
Global Linguistic Adaptation
Different cultures have developed unique names for the symbol: 'arobase' (French), 'chiocciola' (Italian snail), 'apestailaus' (Finnish monkey tail), reflecting its global adoption while maintaining local cultural interpretation.
History of the At symbol
Commercial Origins
First documented use in a letter by Italian merchant Francesco Lapi, using @ to denote amphoras (clay vessels) in trade correspondence, establishing its commercial notation origins.
Typewriter Adoption
The @ symbol was included on the first commercial typewriters, primarily for accounting and commercial use, positioning it for future technological adoption.
Email Revolution
Computer engineer Ray Tomlinson chose @ to separate user names from host computers in the first network email system, creating the foundation for modern email addressing and internet communication.
Twitter Mentions
Twitter popularized @ for user mentions and replies, transforming the symbol into a tool for social interaction and creating the modern paradigm of social media tagging and notifications.
Universal Social Symbol
The @ symbol became standard across all major social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn), establishing it as the universal symbol for digital mentions and social connectivity.
Cultural Impact
The @ symbol became synonymous with the digital age itself, representing connectivity, accessibility, and the democratization of communication that defines internet culture and modern social interaction.
Usage Examples
Email Communication
ExampleUniversal format for email addresses worldwide
Social Media
ExampleUser mentions and social media interactions
Programming
ExampleTechnical syntax in various programming contexts
Professional Networking
ExampleProfessional platform identification and networking