The black circle ● is a solid filled circle used as a large bullet, a status dot or a diagram element. Type 25CF then Alt+X in Word. It is bigger than the standard bullet at U+2022, and it is a geometric shape rather than a punctuation mark.
01 All shortcuts at a glance
| Platform | Shortcut | |
|---|---|---|
| Windows (any app) | Win+. or Win+; emoji/symbol picker, or Character Map (Win+R → charmap) |
|
| Mac | Control+Command+Space to open Character Viewer, search "Black Circle" |
|
| Word / Outlook | Type 25CF, then press Alt+X |
|
| Linux (IBus) | Ctrl+Shift+U, then 25cf, then Enter |
|
| HTML / CSS | ● · \25cf (CSS) |
02 Step by step, per platform
A real, followable procedure for every platform, not a thin restatement of the shortcut.
Windows
- Open Character Map: Win+R, type charmap, press Enter.
- Search or scroll for Black Circle (U+25CF).
- Select it, click Copy, then paste where you need it.
Mac
- Press Control+Command+Space to open the Character Viewer.
- Type "Black Circle" in the search field.
- Double-click the result to insert it.
Microsoft Word
- Type 25CF.
- Press Alt+X immediately after, it converts the hex code to ●.
03 Characters in this set
04 Troubleshooting & confusables
| Looks like it | But it's actually | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| • (U+2022) | Bullet, a punctuation character | For list items, where it is sized and spaced to sit alongside text. |
| ⚫ (U+26AB) | Medium black circle, usually shown as an emoji | For a coloured emoji dot. It renders larger and independently of the text colour. |
| ⬤ (U+2B24) | Black large circle | A larger geometric circle where the standard one is too small. |
05 FAQ
What is the Unicode code point for the black circle?
It is U+25CF, decimal 9679. There is no Windows Alt code for it.
Should I use ● or • for a bullet list?
Use the bullet at U+2022. It is classed as punctuation and is drawn at the right size for running text. The black circle is a geometric shape and usually looks too heavy.
Can I use it as a status indicator?
Yes, and it is common for that. Always pair it with a text label, since colour and shape alone are not accessible.
Why does it sometimes render in colour?
Some platforms substitute an emoji font for geometric shapes. Adding the text variation selector U+FE0E requests the plain monochrome form.
What is the hollow version?
The white circle at U+25CB, an unfilled outline of the same size, often paired with this one to show a filled and unfilled state.