U00D7

U+00D7, commonly known as the multiplication sign, is a typographic symbol used to denote multiplication and to indicate a cross. It is part of the Unicode standard, located in the Latin-1 Supplement block with the code point U+00D7 (decimal 215). In HTML it can be represented by the named entity × or by the numeric references × or ×.

In mathematical notation, the multiplication sign appears as 3 × 4 to indicate multiplication. It is distinct from the dot product symbol (·) and from the asterisk (*) used in plain text or programming when the multiplication sign is unavailable. The glyph is widely used in textbooks, calculators, and typeset mathematics to convey the operation clearly in horizontal, linear notation.

Encoding and typographic details are standardized: the character name in Unicode is MULTIPLICATION SIGN, and its primary purpose is to serve as a dedicated symbol for the operation of multiplication. The shape of the glyph varies by font, but it is generally rendered as a cross formed by two strokes of unequal length, visually distinct from the letter x.

Origin and history are often tied to the 17th century. The multiplication sign was popularized by early modern mathematicians, with attributions sometimes linked to William Oughtred and his mathematical works. The precise origin of the symbol is not definitively documented; it is commonly regarded as a stylized sign derived from or associated with the letter x used to denote unknowns or variables.

See also: times sign, cross, dot product, and mathematical notation.