Paragraph and section marks
Two marks run the paperwork of the written world: the paragraph symbol ¶ and the section symbol §. Neither sits on your keyboard, yet contracts, statutes, pleadings and textbooks cite them all day. This page copies both, explains which document job belongs to which mark, and gives the shortcuts that do exist.
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Which mark does what
| Mark | Name | Its job |
|---|---|---|
| ¶ | Pilcrow (U+00B6) | Marks a paragraph: editors use it for paragraph breaks; lawyers number pleading paragraphs with it (“¶ 12”); typesetters list it among the reference marks (* † ‡ § ¶) |
| § | Section sign (U+00A7) | Points at a numbered section of a law, contract or document: “under § 230” — from the Latin signum sectionis |
| §§ | Double section sign | The plural: “§§ 12–14” cites several sections in one breath — never write “§§” for a single section |
| ¶ in German use | Paragraphenzeichen | German speakers search for the paragraphen symbol because in German law § itself is the paragraph unit — statutes are counted in “Paragraphen”, each opened by a § |
The pilcrow’s odd name is a traveller: Latin capitulum (a little head, a chapter) worn down through Old French into “pilcrow”. It began as a rubricator’s mark painted into manuscripts where a new thought started — the job it still does, five centuries later, every time an editor writes ¶ in a margin.
How to type them
| Mark | Windows | Mac | HTML |
|---|---|---|---|
| § | Alt + 0167; Word: A7 then Alt + X | Option + 6 | The “sect” entity (ampersand + sect;) or code 167 |
| ¶ | Alt + 0182; Word: B6 then Alt + X | Option + 7 | The “para” entity (ampersand + para;) or code 182 |
Explore more
The full punctuation family lives on the punctuation symbols page, every mark’s name is listed in the symbol names and meanings guide, and the ownership marks used in documents are on the copyright and trademark symbols page.
Frequently asked questions
What is ¶ called?
The pilcrow — also “paragraph mark” or “alinea”. It signals a paragraph break in editing and numbers paragraphs in legal pleadings.
What does § mean in a contract?
“Section”: § 4.2 points to section 4.2 of the document. For several sections, double it — §§ 4–6 — a convention as old as the mark itself.
Why do German texts use § for paragraphs?
Because German statutes are divided into units literally called Paragraphen, each headed by a §. The mark is the Paragraphenzeichen — which is why the paragraph symbol search in German lands on §, while English editing means ¶.
How do I type § on a laptop without a number pad?
In Word: type A7 and press Alt + X. On Mac: Option + 6. In a browser or plain editor, copying it from this page is the reliable route.
Is § used outside law?
Yes — textbooks, manuals and academic writing cite sections with it, and it appears in some games and classification systems; but its home ground remains legal and formal documents.