Backwards 3 Symbol: Type ε, ε>, <3, ღ Instantly
Backwards 3, also known as reverse 3, flipped 3, inverted 3, or mirrored 3, is a unique symbol that appears in mathematics, social media, and design.
There is no single Unicode character officially named “backwards 3.” Depending on the context, people may be referring to the Greek lowercase epsilon (ε), the mathematical existential quantifier (∃), or the Latin capital letter open E (Ɛ).
What Is the Backwards 3 Symbol?
A backwards 3 is a typographic shape that mirrors the Arabic numeral “3”. In digital text, this shape is most commonly represented by the Greek lowercase letter epsilon (ε) or the mathematical existential quantifier (∃).
Technical & Typographic Details
Need a backwards 3 symbol to copy and paste right now? Use the characters below:
- Greek Small Epsilon:
ε(Unicode: U+03B5) - Existential Quantifier (“There Exists”):
∃(Unicode: U+2203) - Latin Capital Open E:
Ɛ(Unicode: U+0190)
Key Contexts: How the Backwards 3 is Used
1. Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry
In STEM fields, the backwards 3 shape changes meaning based on the exact symbol used:
- Small Quantities (
ε): The lowercase Greek epsilon is universally used in calculus, physics, and chemistry to represent a minute quantity, an error margin, or permittivity. - Existential Quantifier (
∃): The completely flipped 3 symbol acts as the existential quantifier in mathematical logic, which translates literally to “there exists.”
2. Social Media & Text Emojis (The Heart Symbol)
On platforms like WhatsApp, TikTok, and Instagram, users creatively combine the reverse 3 with a bracket to build stylized heart emojis.
ε>or<3are popular text-based representations of love, affection, and warmth.
How to Type Backwards 3 (ε)
Typing a backwards or reverse 3 depends on your device. Here are step-by-step instructions:
On Windows PC
- Character Map: Type “Character Map” in the Windows search bar, switch the character set to Windows: Greek, and select the
εsymbol.
- The Word Shortcut: Type
0190on your keyboard and immediately pressAlt+Xto generate the open “E” version (Ɛ).
On Mac
- Open the Character Viewer (
Control + Command + Space). - Search for “epsilon” or “backwards 3” and insert the symbol.
On Mobile Devices (iPhone & Android)
- Go to your device settings and add the Greek Keyboard layout.
- Open your keyboard, switch to the Greek layout, and tap the letter epsilon (
ε).
Mini Q&A:
Q: What is the backwards 3 heart?
A: It’s a creative use of the symbol ε in text to visually represent a heart: ε> or <3.
Related Symbols
To avoid confusion between the different variations of the reverse 3 symbol, use this quick-reference table:
| Symbol | Unicode | Description |
|---|---|---|
| ∃ | U+2203 | Existential quantifier in math |
| Ɛ | U+0190 | Latin capital letter Open E, resembles backwards 3 |
| ε | U+03B5 | Greek small epsilon, commonly used in math, physics, chemistry |
What is the backwards 3 symbol in physics?
It usually represents the Greek small epsilon (ε) for small quantities, errors, or variables.
Why do people use backwards 3 as a heart?
Its shape resembles a stylized heart when combined with “>” or “<,” making it popular in text messages and social media.
Is there a direct keyboard key for the backwards 3 symbol?
No standard QWERTY keyboard has a dedicated key for a backwards 3. To type it, you must use an alt-code shortcut, an emoji viewer, or switch your keyboard input language to Greek.
Related: Sigma symbol (Σ σ), underscore.