Frequently asked questions
Common questions about finding, composing, and decoding Unicode characters with UTFpad.
What is UTFpad?
UTFpad is a free, browser-based tool for finding, composing, and decoding Unicode characters. You can search the entire Unicode set by name or codepoint, build text out of the characters you find, and decode existing text into its individual characters.
Is UTFpad free?
Yes. UTFpad is completely free to use for any personal or commercial purpose. There is no account to create and nothing to install.
Do I need to create an account?
No. UTFpad runs entirely in your browser. Your recent characters, bookmarks, preferred categories, and any uploaded font are saved locally on your device, not on a server.
What is a Unicode codepoint?
A codepoint is the unique number Unicode assigns to a character, usually written in hexadecimal with a "U+" prefix — for example U+00E9 is é and U+1F600 is the grinning face emoji. Every character, from letters to emoji, has its own codepoint.
How do I type an em dash (—)?
The quickest way is to search "em dash" in Compose mode and click the result to copy it. There are also platform shortcuts: Alt + 0151 on Windows (numeric keypad), Option + Shift + hyphen on macOS, and Ctrl + Shift + U then 2014 on many Linux desktops.
Why does a character show up as an empty box?
An empty rectangle (sometimes called "tofu") means the font being used doesn’t include that character. The character itself is correct — switching to a more complete font, such as one of the Noto families, will display it properly.
What’s the difference between Compose and Decode?
Compose mode is for building text: you search for characters and collect them into a pad to copy. Decode mode is the reverse: you paste text and it’s broken down into its individual characters, each shown with its name and codepoint.
How do I find a specific emoji?
Search by what the emoji means — "thumbs up", "red heart", "crying face" — in Compose mode. UTFpad searches the official Unicode names, so you don’t need to scroll through a keyboard.
Can I copy more than one character at a time?
Yes. In Compose mode, click each character to add it to your pad, type any text around them, and use the copy button to copy everything at once.
Does UTFpad collect my data?
UTFpad does not require any personal information and stores your settings only in your browser. Search queries are processed to return results but are not linked to you. See the Privacy policy for full details.
Can I use the characters I copy commercially?
Yes. Individual Unicode characters are not owned by anyone and are free to use. The Unicode® Standard and its data belong to Unicode, Inc., and are referenced here for lookup.
Why does the same emoji look different on another device?
You copy a codepoint, not a picture. Each platform — Apple, Google, Microsoft, Samsung — draws that codepoint with its own artwork, so the same emoji can look different depending on where it’s viewed. This is normal.