Windows
2 options- In Word / Outlook: type 231B then press Alt + X.
- Anywhere: press Win + . to open the emoji & symbol picker, then search.
Hourglass Symbol
A symbol from the Technical Symbols collection. Click the symbol or the button below to copy.
- Symbol
- ⌛
- Unicode
- U+231B
- HTML entity
- ⌛
- Category
- Technical Symbols
Export
Download Hourglass as SVG or PNG — or add a caption to make a labelled icon, badge or sticker.
Background
This emoji keeps its own colors. Add a background to turn it into an app icon or avatar. Exports are self-contained and render the same anywhere. Without a background, exports are transparent.
25 of 35 in the technical symbols collection
About the hourglass symbol
The hourglass symbol belongs to the Miscellaneous Technical block, where it represents a timekeeping device used to measure intervals. In its emoji form, it commonly conveys the passage of time, waiting, or a deadline in digital communication and messaging.
As a technical symbol, the hourglass also appears in older computing contexts, such as indicating a system is busy or processing. Its design typically shows two glass bulbs connected by a narrow neck, with sand flowing from the top to the bottom.
How to type Hourglass
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 231B.
- Or: Control + Command + Space opens the Character Viewer — search by name.
Linux
1 step- Press Ctrl + Shift + U, type 231B, 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: emoji.
Related technical symbols
Other technical symbols you can copy and paste — explore similar Unicode characters from the same family.
- ⌽Apl Functional Symbol Circle StileCopy the apl functional symbol circle stile symbol→
- ⌚WatchCopy the watch symbol→
- ⌖Position IndicatorCopy the position indicator symbol→
- ⌗Viewdata SquareCopy the viewdata square symbol→
- ⌬Benzene RingCopy the benzene ring symbol→
- ⏻Power SymbolCopy the power symbol symbol→
- ⏼Power On-Off SymbolCopy the power on-off symbol symbol→
- ⏽Power On SymbolCopy the power on symbol symbol→
- ⭘Heavy CircleCopy the heavy circle symbol→
- ⏾Power Sleep SymbolCopy the power sleep symbol symbol→
- ⚙GearCopy the gear symbol→
- ⚛Atom SymbolCopy the atom symbol symbol→
Explore related collections
Browse other symbol families that pair well with technical symbols.