Email and mentions
@ is the character people actually need for email addresses, @mentions, social handles, and contact strings. It is usually copied for function, not decoration.
@
At Sign
U+0040
@
The @ at sign appears in everyday text whenever someone wants a direct character for email addresses, social handles, direct mentions instead of a more decorative symbol.
Email addresses, @mentions, and social handles.
Where people actually use this symbol
Usernames and social text
@ also shows up in usernames, profile references, and social instructions where the text has to stay exact and readable.
Where it works better than emoji
@ beats emoji when the line needs an exact address, handle, or mention marker. Emoji can decorate this idea, but they cannot replace the actual character people need to type or copy.
Alternative symbols to compare
#
ASCII symbols
U+0023
Hashtags, topic labels, and compact numbering.
$
ASCII symbols
U+0024
Prices, budgets, and finance copy.
%
ASCII symbols
U+0025
Percentages, discounts, ratios, and sale copy.
&
ASCII symbols
U+0026
Brand names, pairings, and title styling.
*
ASCII symbols
U+002A
Footnotes, emphasis, wildcards, and note markers.
+
ASCII symbols
U+002B
Additions, feature lists, math, and positive markers.
Related emoji
💬
smileys & emotion
speech balloon
emotions
The 💬 emoji shows a speech balloon and represents conversation, messaging, or direct dialogue. It is a clear symbol for talking, commenting, or replying.
balloonbubblecomic
📱
objects
mobile phone
phone
A mobile phone, one of the clearest symbols for texting, apps, calls, portable technology, and modern daily communication.
cellcommunicationmobile
📨
objects
incoming envelope
mail
An incoming envelope, useful for received messages, delivered mail, and communication arriving from outside.
deliveringe-mailemail
Symbol details
- Category
- ASCII Symbols
- Unicode
- U+0040
- HTML
- @
- ASCII
- Yes