Backwards 3 Copy and Paste – Ɛ Symbol
The backwards 3 symbol is easy to recognize but surprisingly difficult to find on a standard keyboard. Depending on where you saw it, the character may be Ɛ, ɛ or the Greek letter ε. These symbols look similar, but they have different names, Unicode values and formal uses.
If you only need the symbol for a message, username, social media bio or document, use the copy tool above. Select the version you want, press the Copy button and paste it into any compatible app.
This guide also explains how to type a backwards 3 on Windows, Mac, Android and iPhone. You will learn how to insert it in Microsoft Word and Google Docs, use it as part of a text heart and distinguish it from other similar-looking characters.
What Is the Backwards 3 Symbol?
“Backwards 3” is an informal name used for several characters that resemble a reversed number three. The character most commonly shared under this name is Ɛ, officially called the Latin capital letter open E.
Its lowercase form is ɛ. A similar character, ε, is the lowercase Greek letter epsilon. Although people may refer to all three as a reversed or flipped 3, they are separate characters within Unicode.
The difference is important when you are using the character in academic writing, linguistics, mathematics or another context where the exact symbol matters. For decorative text, social media and casual messages, people often choose whichever version looks best in the font being used.
Select the exact backwards 3 character you need and copy it with one click.
Backwards 3 Copy and Paste
Copy the most commonly used backwards 3 symbol.
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Each character has a different Unicode value and meaning.
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Backwards 3 Symbols to Copy
Here are the main characters that users may be looking for:
| Symbol | Character name | Unicode |
|---|---|---|
| Ɛ | Latin Capital Letter Open E | U+0190 |
| ɛ | Latin Small Letter Open E | U+025B |
| ε | Greek Small Letter Epsilon | U+03B5 |
| ɜ | Latin Small Letter Reversed Open E | U+025C |
| ∈ | Element Of | U+2208 |
| Ԑ | Cyrillic Capital Letter Reversed Ze | U+0510 |
These characters may look different when pasted into another website or application. Their appearance depends on the font and operating system, but the underlying Unicode character remains the same.
If one version appears as an empty square or missing-character box, the selected font probably does not support it. Try a common font such as Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman, Noto Sans or Segoe UI.
Backwards 3, Open E and Epsilon: What Is the Difference?
The capital character Ɛ belongs to the extended Latin alphabet and is called open E. It appears in the writing systems of several languages and is also connected with phonetic notation.
The lowercase ɛ is another Latin character. In the International Phonetic Alphabet, it represents the open-mid front unrounded vowel, similar to the vowel sound found in words such as “bed” in many English accents.
The character ε is a Greek lowercase epsilon. It is used in Greek writing and frequently appears in mathematics, physics, engineering and computer science. It may represent a small quantity, an error value, permittivity or an empty string, depending on the subject.
The mathematical symbol ∈ is different again. It means “is an element of” in set notation. For example, an expression may use it to show that a number belongs to a particular set. It resembles a curved E but should not be replaced with Ɛ or ε in formal mathematical writing.
These distinctions explain why copying the exact character is usually safer than choosing another symbol that only looks similar.
How to Type a Backwards 3 on Windows
The quickest method on Windows is to copy Ɛ from the tool at the top of this page and paste it using Ctrl + V. This method works in browsers, email clients, social media websites and most writing applications.
Microsoft Word also supports Unicode conversion:
- Type
0190. - Place the cursor directly after the code.
- Press Alt + X.
- Word will convert the code into Ɛ.
Use 025B followed by Alt + X for ɛ, or 03B5 followed by Alt + X for the Greek epsilon ε.
These are Unicode conversions used by compatible Microsoft applications. They are not the same as traditional Alt codes entered through a numeric keypad.
You may see instructions online telling you to hold Alt and type 238. That method can produce different results depending on the application, keyboard configuration and active character encoding. Using the copy tool or Word’s Unicode conversion is generally more reliable.
Windows users can also open Character Map from the Start menu. Select a font that supports extended Latin or Greek characters, locate the required symbol and copy it into the destination.
If you regularly work with keyboard combinations, our collection of 300 keyboard shortcut keys for Windows, Mac and apps provides shortcuts for navigation, documents, browsers and everyday computer tasks.
How to Type a Backwards 3 on Mac
On a Mac, copying and pasting the character is the simplest option. You can also search for a supported symbol through Character Viewer:
- Open the application where you want to insert the character.
- Press Control + Command + Space.
- Expand the Character Viewer if necessary.
- Search for “epsilon” or “open E.”
- Double-click the required character to insert it.
Search results can vary by macOS version and available fonts. If the exact Latin open E does not appear, copy Ɛ from this page and save it as a text replacement for future use.
How to Type Backwards 3 on Android
Most English Android keyboard layouts do not display Ɛ as a standard key. Copying the symbol is therefore the fastest method.
Press the Copy button above, open your preferred app and hold your finger inside the text field. Select Paste when the menu appears.
If you use the character frequently, you can create a shortcut in Gboard:
- Open Gboard settings.
- Select Dictionary.
- Open Personal dictionary.
- Select your preferred language.
- Add Ɛ as the word.
- Enter a short trigger such as
b3.
The next time you type the trigger, Gboard may suggest the backwards 3 symbol. Menu names can differ slightly between Android devices and keyboard applications.
You can also add a Greek keyboard if you specifically require ε. Remember that the Greek epsilon is not the same Unicode character as the Latin capital open E.
How to Type Backwards 3 on iPhone or iPad
The standard English iPhone keyboard does not provide a dedicated backwards 3 key. Copying the symbol from this page works in Messages, Notes, Mail, social media apps and most websites.
For repeated use, create a text replacement:
- Copy the symbol Ɛ.
- Open Settings.
- Go to General → Keyboard → Text Replacement.
- Tap the plus icon.
- Paste Ɛ into the Phrase field.
- Add a memorable shortcut such as
b3symbol. - Save the replacement.
Typing that shortcut should offer or insert the saved character. Choose a trigger you are unlikely to use in normal writing so that the replacement does not appear accidentally.
If you want the Greek character ε, you can also add the Greek keyboard through the language settings.
How to Insert Backwards 3 in Microsoft Word
In Microsoft Word, the Unicode method is usually the most convenient. Type 0190 and press Alt + X to insert Ɛ.
You can also use the Symbols menu:
- Open the Insert tab.
- Select Symbol.
- Choose More Symbols.
- Browse the available Latin Extended or Greek characters.
- Select the correct character and press Insert.
Check the character name and code before inserting it into formal work. Two symbols can look almost identical while representing different letters or mathematical meanings.
After inserting the character, Word may allow you to assign a custom keyboard shortcut through the Symbol window.
How to Add the Symbol in Google Docs
Open your Google document and place the cursor where the symbol should appear. Select Insert → Special characters, then search for “epsilon” or “open e.”
You can also draw the approximate shape in the search area. Google Docs will suggest visually similar characters. Check the name of your chosen result because the suggestions may include Greek letters, Latin phonetic characters and mathematical operators.
For the fastest result, copy the required character from this page and paste it directly into the document.
How to Make a Backwards 3 Heart
One reason this symbol is popular online is its use in decorative text hearts. The backwards curve can be combined with a greater-than sign or another heart character.
Copy any of these examples:
- Ɛ>
- ε>
- Ɛ♡
- Ɛ♥
- Ɛ><3
The combination Ɛ> is a creative text expression rather than an official heart emoji. Its meaning depends on the conversation, but it is commonly used to suggest affection, cuteness or a stylized heart.
Because fonts display characters differently, the shape may look more like a heart in one application than another. Preview the combination before adding it to a public profile or username.
Where Can You Use the Reversed 3 Symbol?
You can paste the character into most places that support Unicode text, including:
- Social media profiles and captions
- Messaging applications
- Usernames and display names
- Emails
- Microsoft Word documents
- Google Docs
- Website content
- Online forms
- Notes and text editors
Some websites restrict usernames to basic letters and numbers. In that case, the symbol may be rejected even though it appears correctly in a normal text field.
The character can also be used in academic contexts, but decorative and technical uses should not be confused. Always select the correct symbol when writing about language, mathematics or science.
What to Do if the Wrong Symbol Appears
First, check whether you copied Ɛ, ɛ, ε, ɜ or ∈. These characters are visually related but not interchangeable.
If the correct character turns into a box, question mark or blank space, change the font or open the text in an application with better Unicode support.
If pressing normal keyboard keys produces unexpected letters or symbols, your keyboard language or layout may have changed. Our guide on how to fix keyboard keys typing wrong characters explains how to check layouts, Num Lock, language settings and accessibility options.
When several keys fail, repeat characters or stop responding, use the solutions in our guide to common keyboard problems and how to fix them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I copy and paste the backwards 3 symbol?
Yes. Copy Ɛ from the tool at the top of this page and paste it into any application that accepts Unicode text. You can also copy lowercase ɛ or Greek epsilon ε if that is the version you require.
What is the real name of the backwards 3?
The character Ɛ is officially called Latin capital letter open E. However, users commonly search for it as backwards 3, reversed 3, flipped 3 or inverted 3.
Is backwards 3 an emoji?
No. Ɛ is a Unicode letter rather than an emoji. Its appearance is controlled by the selected font, so it normally displays as plain text instead of a coloured graphic.
Is Ɛ the same as ε?
No. Ɛ is a capital Latin open E, while ε is a lowercase Greek epsilon. They may look similar, but they have different Unicode values and linguistic uses.
What does Ɛ> mean in a message?
People may use Ɛ> as a stylized text heart or expression of affection. It is an informal combination, so its meaning depends on the context and the person sending it.
Why can’t I find backwards 3 on my keyboard?
It is not included as a dedicated key on most standard English keyboard layouts. You can copy it, insert it through a character viewer or create a text replacement shortcut on your device.
Can I use the symbol in a username?
You can use it if the platform accepts extended Unicode characters. Some websites restrict usernames to basic letters, numbers and selected punctuation marks.