In the world of technical writing, the smallest details can make a big difference, and symbols are a perfect example. From Markdown files to command-line instructions, symbols are everywhere. Yet, many writers, developers, and editors often struggle to recall the correct names or functions of these characters.
Is it a backtick or a grave accent? A vertical bar or a pipe? This confusion can lead to inconsistent terminology in documentation, especially in internal guides, reviews, and developer onboarding content.
To help streamline your writing and reviewing process, I’ve created a detailed reference chart of the most commonly used symbols in technical writing, along with their names, aliases, and typical usage in code and documentation.
Why a Symbol Chart Matters More Than You Think
If you’ve ever written or reviewed:
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Command-line examples,
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Markdown documentation,
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Developer tutorials, or
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Style guides
…you’ve likely come across a symbol you knew how to use but didn’t know what to call.
That’s exactly the gap this chart is meant to fill.
By standardizing the names of common symbols, we can make our writing clearer, reduce confusion in code comments and technical reviews, and maintain a consistent voice across technical content.
So, what kinds of symbols are we talking about? You may be surprised by how often they show up in your daily work.
A Glimpse at What’s Included
The chart covers over 45 symbols, each with:
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Symbol — the character itself
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Primary Name — the standard or most accepted name
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Other Names / Aliases — what it’s also commonly called
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Common Use in Tech Writing — how it’s used in docs, code, or Markdown
Here’s a sample:
| Symbol | Primary Name | Also Known As | Usage in Tech Docs |
|---|---|---|---|
& |
Ampersand | And symbol | Used in HTML entities, logical operations |
# |
Hash | Pound sign, Octothorpe | Markdown headings, issue numbers |
| ` | ` | Pipe | Vertical bar, Bitwise OR |
\ |
Backslash | Escape character | Used in Windows paths and escaping syntax |
[] |
Square brackets | Box brackets | Arrays, optional arguments in syntax |
^ |
Caret | Hat, XOR, Power symbol | Bitwise operations, exponentiation, regex |
And many more — including special characters like curly quotes, en/em dashes, ellipses, and symbols used in shell scripting and Markdown formatting.
How You Can Use This in Your Daily Work
This chart isn’t just for style guides — it’s meant to be referred to often.
Use it when:
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Writing or editing internal or public documentation
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Reviewing code examples or inline comments
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Naming things in UI copy or tutorial steps
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Teaching Markdown or shell syntax to beginners
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Creating onboarding docs or training material
Whether you’re naming a character in a sentence or clarifying its role in a command, this table brings structure to your words.
Because Precision Builds Trust in Documentation
Good documentation is made up of small, thoughtful choices, and being precise about symbol names is one of them. When you use the right terminology, you show that the docs are written with care and respect for your audience, especially for those who may be new to programming or documentation.
Whether you’re documenting a CLI tool or reviewing a README, using the correct name for | — pipe — instead of calling it “that straight line,” it makes your work sharper, more credible, and easier to maintain.
📘 Explore the Full Symbol Chart
Want to see the complete list in a clean, easy-to-browse format?
👉 View the full reference chart here
This resource is public, lightweight, and ideal for bookmarking or sharing with your writing and engineering teams.