U+FE0B "︋" Variation Selector-12 Unicode Character

Unicode Version 17.0

U+FE0B "︋" Variation Selector-12 is a special invisible formatting mark used to request an alternative glyph for a preceding emoji character, specifically instructing rendering systems to display it in a monochrome or uncolored style rather than in a full color, multicolored, or gradient treatment. It belongs to the Variation Selectors block and is officially designated as the Emoji Variation Sequence (EVS) for “emoji color subcategory override,” though in practice it is rarely supported by major platforms. When placed directly after a base emoji, it signals to compatible software that the emoji should be presented in a simple, textual, or outline form, similar to a black and white icon. This selector is primarily intended for use in environments where precise control over emoji appearance is needed, such as in technical documentation or design systems that require consistent monochrome rendering.

General Properties

Code Point U+FE0B
Version Added 3.2
Name Variation Selector-12
Block Variation Selectors
General Category Nonspacing Mark
Canonical Combining Class Not Reordered
Bidirectional Class Nonspacing Mark
Alias VS12 (abbreviation)

Encodings

HTML Decimal Encoding ︋
HTML Hex Encoding ︋
UTF-8 Encoding 0xEF 0xB8 0x8B
UTF-16 Encoding 0xFE0B
UTF-32 Encoding 0x0000FE0B
C/C++/Java Escape \ufe0b

Unicode Properties

NFC Quick Check Yes
NFD Quick Check Yes
NFKC Quick Check Yes
NFKD Quick Check Yes
Numeric Type None
Numeric Value NaN
Joining Type Transparent
Line Break Combining Mark
East Asian Width Ambiguous
Case Ignorable Yes
Changes When NFKC Casefolded Yes
Script Inherited
Script Extensions Inherited
Indic Syllabic Category Other
Indic Conjunct Break Extend
ID Continue Yes
XID Continue Yes
Default Ignorable Code Point Yes
Vertical Orientation Rotated
Grapheme Extend Yes
Grapheme Cluster Break Extend
Word Break Extend
Sentence Break Extend
Variation Selector Yes