Windows
2 options- In Word / Outlook: type 2623 then press Alt + X.
- Anywhere: press Win + . to open the emoji & symbol picker, then search.
Biohazard Sign Symbol
A symbol from the Warning Symbols collection. Click the symbol or the button below to copy.
- Symbol
- ☣
- Unicode
- U+2623
- HTML entity
- ☣
- Category
- Warning Symbols
Export
Download Biohazard Sign as SVG or PNG — or add a caption to make a labelled icon, badge or sticker.
Background
Previewtransparent background
Fill color applies to monochrome symbols; multicolor emoji keep their own colors. Add a circle/rounded background to make an app icon or avatar. Exports are self-contained; the SVG embeds the glyph's font. Without a background, exports are transparent.
3 of 22 in the warning symbols collection
About the biohazard sign symbol
This symbol is widely posted on containers, laboratory doors, and equipment that holds or handles biological materials capable of causing infection in humans or animals. It serves as a universal hazard warning, alerting anyone nearby to the presence of pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, or genetically modified organisms.
The design was created in 1966 by Charles Baldwin, an environmental engineer working for the Dow Chemical Company, who wanted a memorable and easily stenciled symbol that would clearly communicate danger without relying on text. Today it is an internationally recognized standard, appearing on biosafety level signage and in public health communications, and it is also used more casually in social media and messaging to represent anything toxic, dangerous, or taboo.
How to type Biohazard Sign
Native keyboard shortcuts for each operating system — derived from the codepoint, so the steps below are always accurate.
macOS
2 options- Enable “Unicode Hex Input” in System Settings → Keyboard, then hold Option and type 2623.
- Or: Control + Command + Space opens the Character Viewer — search by name.
Linux
1 step- Press Ctrl + Shift + U, type 2623, then press Enter or Space.
Copy in every format
Every form of this character — for HTML, CSS, JavaScript, URLs and more. Click any value to copy.
Text vs emoji presentation
This codepoint has two standardized presentations. Append U+FE0E to force the monochrome text form, or U+FE0F to force the colorful emoji form. Default presentation: text.
Related warning symbols
Other warning symbols you can copy and paste — explore similar Unicode characters from the same family.
- ⚠Warning SignCopy the warning sign symbol→
- ☢Radioactive SignCopy the radioactive sign symbol→
- ☠Skull And CrossbonesCopy the skull and crossbones symbol→
- ☡Caution SignCopy the caution sign symbol→
- ⛔No EntryCopy the no entry symbol→
- ⚡High Voltage SignCopy the high voltage sign symbol→
- ⌁Electric ArrowCopy the electric arrow symbol→
- ⏚Earth GroundCopy the earth ground symbol→
- ⏛FuseCopy the fuse symbol→
- 🚫No Entry SignCopy the no entry sign symbol→
- 🛑Octagonal SignCopy the octagonal sign symbol→
- ⛑Helmet With White CrossCopy the helmet with white cross symbol→
Explore related collections
Browse other symbol families that pair well with warning symbols.