Meaning and use
“White” in the Unicode name means unfilled or hollow, not a guaranteed white color.
It remains a text character and inherits the surrounding text color.
Dot variants
These nearby characters share a category with ○, but each has its own Unicode identity and intended use.
How to type ○
windows
Search Character Map for WHITE CIRCLE or copy ○.
macos
Open Character Viewer and search for white circle.
mobile
Copy ○ here. Emoji keyboard circles can be different characters.
word
Insert → Symbol creates text; use a shape when stroke thickness and size must be exact.
Examples
○ Available ● Selected
Step ○ Review ○ PublishSimilar characters compared
○ is a plain hollow circle; ◦ is a much smaller white bullet; ◎ and ◉ include additional inner shapes.
Frequently asked questions
Why is it called white when it looks transparent?
Unicode uses “white” for an unfilled glyph. The center usually shows the background.
Does ○ become an emoji?
It normally stays text-style, unlike characters that explicitly request emoji presentation.