The infinity symbol, or lemniscate, is used in various fields of study including physics, mathematics, computers and logic. HTML has specific instructions for inserting special characters such as the infinity symbol into a Web page. And no, thankfully, you do not have to turn a figure "8" on its side to make it.
Background
HTML code employs certain characters as part of its code structure. To avoid confusing Web browsers, these characters are "reserved," meaning website designers cannot simply enter them in Web pages. To display such characters -- say, the greater-than glyph -- you must use character entities. Other common glyphs and symbols such as the infinity symbol also require character entities.
Syntax
A character entity in HTML comes in two forms: entity number and entity name. You can use one or the other. The entity number for the infinity symbol is ∞, while its entity name is ∞. Take note of the ampersand in the beginning and the semicolon at the end in both versions. These tell the Web browser that you want to display a special character, so make sure you always include them.
Compatibility
An entity number may be considered superior to the entity name since it enjoys wider support among Web browsers. However, the entity name is easier to remember.
Usage
To use the infinity symbol, open the Web page you want to use it in. Go to anywhere between the opening and closing tags of the container where you want it to appear, such as a pair of
tags or tags. Enter the code as follows:
This is the symbol of infinity: ∞.
Tags: infinity symbol, entity name, entity number, character entities, such infinity