Table of contents
1.
Introduction
2.
How to Code the Copyright Symbol in HTML?
3.
Why Write the Copyright Symbol with HTML?
4.
Copyright HTML Operating System Reference
5.
Methods to Add Copyright Symbols to Your HTML Document
5.1.
1. Using HEX Code
5.2.
2. Using HTML Entity (©)
5.3.
3. Using Decimal Unicode
5.4.
4. Adding Copyright Symbol in Dynamic Content
5.5.
5. Using CSS to Style the Copyright Symbol
6.
Summary of Methods
7.
Frequently Asked Questions 
7.1.
What is the copyright symbol used for?
7.2.
Can I use the copyright symbol in any HTML document?
7.3.
Which method is the best for adding the copyright symbol in HTML?
8.
Conclusion
Last Updated: Dec 20, 2024
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Copyright Symbol HTML

Author Rahul Singh
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Introduction

The copyright symbol (©) is used to indicate ownership of creative works such as music, books, and software. In HTML, you may need to display the copyright symbol on web pages to show ownership or licensing information. 

Copyright Symbol HTML

In this article, you will learn how to properly code the copyright symbol in HTML using different methods such as HEX code, HTML entities, and Unicode. We will also explain the use cases and provide relevant examples for your better understanding.

How to Code the Copyright Symbol in HTML?

To display the copyright symbol on a web page, you can use either the HTML entity name or number code. Let’s see how we can do it:

Using the HTML entity name:

©


Using the HTML entity number: 

©


Both of these methods will render the © symbol on your web page.

For example, to display a copyright notice in HTML, you could write:

<p>Copyright &copy; 2023 MyWebsite. All rights reserved.</p>


Or using the entity number:

<p>Copyright &#169; 2023 MyWebsite. All rights reserved.</p>


Both will output:

Copyright © 2023 MyWebsite. All rights reserved. 


 Just choose the method you prefer & include it in your HTML where you want the copyright symbol to appear.

Why Write the Copyright Symbol with HTML?

The copyright symbol is important for various reasons:

1. Consistency: By using the HTML entity, you ensure that the symbol will display consistently across different browsers & devices. If you were to copy-paste the © symbol directly, it may not render correctly everywhere.
 

2. Readability: The &copy; or &#169; code is more readable & understandable in your HTML source code compared to the actual symbol. This can make your code easier to maintain.
 

3. Encoding: Using the HTML entity helps avoid encoding issues. When you save your HTML files with a specific encoding like UTF-8, the entities will be properly translated into the correct symbols.
 

4. Professionalism: Including a proper copyright notice with the © symbol on your website makes it look more professional & can help protect your content. It informs visitors that the work is legally protected.

Copyright HTML Operating System Reference

Windows:

  • In Windows, you can use the ASCII code for the copyright symbol.
     
  • Hold down the Alt key and type 0169 on the numeric keypad. Release the Alt key and the © symbol will appear.


Mac:

  • On a Mac, you can use a keyboard shortcut to type the copyright symbol.
     
  • Press Option + G and the © symbol will be inserted.


iOS:

  • On iOS devices, you can find the copyright symbol in the special characters keyboard.
     
  • Tap and hold the & symbol, then slide your finger to select the © symbol.


Android:

  • On Android, the method to type the copyright symbol varies depending on the keyboard app you're using.
     
  • Generally, tapping and holding the & or ? key will bring up additional symbol options, including ©.


Of course, in HTML you'll always use either &copy; or &#169; regardless of the operating system. But knowing how to type the symbol directly can be easier while working with other applications.

Methods to Add Copyright Symbols to Your HTML Document

There are several methods to insert the copyright symbol into your HTML document. Let's take a look at the most common ones:

1. Using HEX Code

One way to add the copyright symbol is by using its HEX code. The HEX code for the copyright symbol is &#x00A9;.

Example:

<p>&#x00A9; 2024 Your Company Name. All Rights Reserved.</p>


Explanation:

  • The &#x00A9; is a hexadecimal code that represents the copyright symbol.
     
  • It will display the symbol correctly in the browser when rendered.
     
  • This method is clean and effective for many cases.
     

Output:

© 2024 Your Company Name. All Rights Reserved.

2. Using HTML Entity (&copy;)

Another common way to represent the copyright symbol in HTML is by using the HTML entity &copy;. This method is widely used because it’s simple to type and ensures compatibility across different systems and browsers.

Example:

<header>
    <h1>Welcome to Coding Ninjas</h1>
    <p>&copy; 2024 All Rights Reserved</p>
</header>


Explanation:

  • &copy; is the HTML entity used to represent the copyright symbol (©).
     
  • It is placed in a paragraph tag below the header, indicating that all rights are reserved for 2024.


Output:

© 2024 All Rights Reserved

3. Using Decimal Unicode

You can also use the decimal Unicode format for the copyright symbol. The decimal code for the copyright symbol is &#169;.

Example:

<footer>
    <p>&#169; 2024 Coding Ninjas. All rights are protected by law.</p>
</footer>


Explanation:

  • &#169; represents the copyright symbol in decimal form.
     
  • This example places the copyright symbol in the footer, ensuring that the content is copyright-protected.


Output:

© 2024 Coding Ninjas. All rights are protected by law.

4. Adding Copyright Symbol in Dynamic Content

You can also use JavaScript to dynamically insert the copyright symbol into a webpage. This is useful if the year needs to update automatically each time the webpage is loaded.

Example:

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
    <meta charset="UTF-8">
    <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">
    <title>Dynamic Copyright</title>
</head>
<body>
    <footer>
        <p id="copyright"></p>
    </footer>


    <script>
        let year = new Date().getFullYear();
        document.getElementById("copyright").innerHTML = `&#169; ${year} Coding Ninjas. All Rights Reserved.`;
    </script>
</body>
</html>


Explanation:

  • JavaScript's new Date().getFullYear() is used to dynamically insert the current year.
     
  • The copyright symbol &#169; is inserted using the innerHTML property.


Output (on a webpage loaded in 2024):

Output

5. Using CSS to Style the Copyright Symbol

If you'd like to apply custom styling to the copyright symbol, you can use CSS. Here's an example where the copyright symbol is made larger and given a different color.

Example:

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
    <meta charset="UTF-8">
    <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">
    <title>Styled Copyright</title>
    <style>
        .copyright {
            font-size: 20px;
            color: #ff6600;
        }
    </style>
</head>
<body>
    <footer>
        <p class="copyright">&copy; 2024 Coding Ninjas. All Rights Reserved.</p>
    </footer>
</body>
</html>


Explanation:

  • The .copyright class applies styles like font size (20px) and color (#ff6600 - orange).
     
  • The copyright symbol appears in the styled paragraph at the bottom of the page.
     

Output:

Output

Summary of Methods

  • HEX Code (&#x00A9;): A compact and widely-used approach compatible with all browsers.
     
  • HTML Entity (&copy;): The most popular and easiest method for including the copyright symbol.
     
  • Decimal Unicode (&#169;): Similar to HEX code, but uses the decimal representation of the character.
     
  • JavaScript for Dynamic Content: Allows you to dynamically insert the copyright symbol along with the current year, keeping it always updated.
     
  • CSS Styling: You can style the copyright symbol using CSS to change its appearance, size, or color on your webpage.
     

All these methods achieve the same result, displaying the copyright symbol (©) in your HTML document. The choice depends on your preferences and the compatibility requirements with older systems or browsers.

Frequently Asked Questions 

What is the copyright symbol used for?

The copyright symbol signifies that a piece of work is protected under copyright law and cannot be used without the creator's consent.

Can I use the copyright symbol in any HTML document?

Yes, the copyright symbol can be included in any HTML document to denote ownership of the content. It is supported across all major browsers.

Which method is the best for adding the copyright symbol in HTML?

Using the HTML entity &copy; is the simplest and most reliable option as it works universally across browsers. However, the ideal method depends on your specific needs and project requirements.

Conclusion

In this article, we discussed how to code the copyright symbol in HTML using various methods, such as HEX code, HTML entity, and decimal Unicode. We also discussed the importance of the copyright symbol, how it is used to protect creative works, and how easy it is to implement it in your HTML documents.

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