Vertical Bar (|) vs. Slash
The vertical bar “|” and slash “/” are separate Unicode characters. Their technical meanings depend on the syntax in use, while editorial slash usage follows a different set of writing conventions.
Use “|” only where the notation, command, table, or syntax defines a vertical bar; use “/” where a slash is required. They are not interchangeable punctuation marks.
Key details
Important caveats
Style Boundary
Do not infer that a vertical bar can replace a slash simply because both are separator-like marks.
Further guidance
Character Difference
Unicode distinguishes VERTICAL LINE (U+007C) from SOLIDUS/slash (U+002F).
Use
In technical material, preserve the exact character required by the syntax; in prose, follow the publication’s slash conventions.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- Basic Latin — Unicode Names List (opens in a new tab)Unicode Consortium · Unicode character identities for quotation mark, apostrophe, ampersand, solidus, and vertical line
- Slashes — Microsoft Writing Style Guide (opens in a new tab)Microsoft Learn · Writing and technical-use distinctions for slash and backslash