Line characters draw clean rules without an image, ─ horizontal, │ vertical, and heavier (━ ┃) or double (═ ║) weights from the box-drawing set. Use them for dividers, tables and ASCII layouts. Copy any from the keys below; in Word, type the code shown and press Alt + X (2500 → ─).
01 Symbols at a glance
| Symbol | How to type | |
|---|---|---|
| Light Horizontal | U+2500 · Word: 2500 Alt+X · ─ |
|
| Light Vertical | U+2502 · Word: 2502 Alt+X · │ |
|
| Heavy Horizontal | U+2501 · Word: 2501 Alt+X · ━ |
|
| Heavy Vertical | U+2503 · Word: 2503 Alt+X · ┃ |
|
| Double Horizontal | U+2550 · Word: 2550 Alt+X · ═ |
|
| Double Vertical | U+2551 · Word: 2551 Alt+X · ║ |
|
| Light Diagonal (up) | U+2571 · Word: 2571 Alt+X · ╱ |
|
| Light Diagonal (down) | U+2572 · Word: 2572 Alt+X · ╲ |
|
| Horizontal Line Extension | U+23AF · Word: 23AF Alt+X · ⎯ |
|
| Figure Dash | U+2012 · Word: 2012 Alt+X · ‒ |
02 FAQ
How do I type a horizontal line character like ─?
Copy it above, or in Word type 2500 then Alt+X for the light line ─, 2501 for the heavy line ━, 2550 for the double line ═. Repeat it to draw a rule: ────────.
What is the difference between ─ and an em dash —?
─ (U+2500) is a box-drawing line that joins edge to edge, so repeating it makes a solid rule. The em dash, (U+2014) has small side bearings and is meant for punctuation, so a row of them looks gapped.
How do I draw a vertical divider?
Use │ (U+2502, light vertical) or the heavier ┃ (U+2503). Stack them line by line, or use them between columns of text. The double form ║ (U+2551) gives a bolder rule.