Symbols to Use for Footnotes: A Full Guide

Footnotes are a classic way to provide additional information, sources, or commentary without cluttering the main text. One key decision when using footnotes is: **what kind of symbols or markers to use**. Should you use numbers, letters, or special symbols like asterisks and daggers? How many footnotes can you have before switching systems? This guide covers all that.

What Are Footnote Symbols and Why Use Them?

A footnote symbol (also called a footnote marker or reference mark) is a character placed in the main text, usually in superscript, that points the reader to a footnote at the bottom of the page (or end of a chapter/document). These symbols can be numbers, letters, or special typographic symbols.

People use symbols for a few reasons:

To avoid breaking the flow of text with visible numbers when there are only one or two footnotes on a page.
To make the text look cleaner or more elegant for certain kinds of publications (poetry, literary books, design-heavy materials).
To differentiate types of notes (for example, * for explanatory notes, † for source citations, etc.).

Common Symbols & Ordering

When using symbols instead of numbers, there is a standard order of symbols that is commonly followed in typography and publishing. Once you run out of single symbols, some systems repeat or double them. Here are the most commonly used symbols and their typical order:

Asterisk ( * ) — the most common symbol for the first footnote.
Dagger ( † ) — used for the second footnote.
Double dagger ( ‡ ) — used as the third symbol.
Section sign ( § ) — common as the fourth symbol.
Paragraph symbol / Pilcrow ( ¶ ) — typically the fifth.
Number sign / Hash ( # ) — often used after the above.
Parallel bars / Double vertical bar ( ‖ ) — seen in some traditions.

If more symbols are needed, systems often repeat or double them. For example, after # or ‖, you might see ** (double asterisk), †† (double dagger), ‡‡, §§, ¶¶, ##, etc.

When to Use Symbols vs Numbers vs Letters

Symbols are great, but they’re not always the best choice. Here are guidelines on when each type works well

Symbols: Best when you have only a few footnotes on a page (one to maybe five). If you use too many, remembering which symbol corresponds to which note can become confusing. Also, in academic or technical writing with many citations, symbols are less practical.
Numbers: Most common in academic, scientific, and technical writing. Easy to scale (you can have many citations), and many style guides expect this. Superscript Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3 …) are standard.
Letters (a, b, c…) are occasionally used, especially when combining with symbols or in informal works. But letters can clash with other uses (like lists), so they are used less often.

Pros and Cons of Using Symbol Footnotes

Pros	Cons
Looks elegant and less “busy” when there are few footnotes. Good for works where aesthetics matter (poetry, design-focused layouts). Allows for differentiating types of notes (e.g. * for commentary, † for sources).	Harder to scale — difficult when many footnotes are needed on one page. Readers may struggle to remember or find which symbol corresponds to which note. Symbols are less familiar for readers used to numbered citations, and can feel confusing or old-fashioned. Some symbols may not render correctly in all fonts, or may look too small or decorative to read clearly.

Examples of Symbol Sequences in Practice

Here are how some style guides or publishing traditions sequence symbols:

Traditional / Print Publications: *, †, ‡, §, ¶, #, ‖, then doubling if needed.
AMA Style: Uses the traditional sequence of symbols for bottom-of-page footnotes: *, †, ‡, §, ¶, #, ‖, **, ††, ‡‡, §§, ¶¶, ##.
Software / Markup Systems: Some automatic systems allow symbolic footnotes then continue into numbers if symbols are exhausted. Others repeat the symbol set (double or repeated symbols) to mark additional notes.

How to Place Footnote Symbols Properly

Typically, the symbol is placed as a superscript immediately after the punctuation ending the phrase or sentence to which the note applies. If there’s a period, comma, quotation mark, etc., put the symbol after.
Footnotes themselves are separated from the main text with a line or extra space, and footnote text is usually smaller in size than the body text.
If multiple footnotes appear in a single sentence, keep the symbols in the standard sequence and avoid mixing types (e.g. asterisk then number) within the same sentence.
Consistency matters: use the same symbol style across the whole work (or section / publication) so readers can follow more easily.

Alternative / Rare Symbols & Decorative Options

Sometimes editors or designers use less common or decorative symbols. These are typically used sparingly, for styling rather than strict academic citation.

Manicule (☞, ☚, etc.) — a pointing hand, used historically to direct attention. Rare in modern footnotes but sometimes used decoratively or in marginalia.
Diamonds, hearts, spades, clubs — used in some markup / software tools or stylized books. E.g. ♠, ♥, ♦, ♣.
Lozenge or diamond shapes (◊) — decorative, for special notes or side comments.
Custom icons — sometimes a publisher uses its own small shape or logo as a note marker, especially in magazines, brochures, or art books. Use with caution to maintain legibility.

Recommendations & Best Practices

Start with **numbers** if you expect more than a few footnotes in a document or page. It scales best and is familiar to most readers.
If using symbols, stick to the traditional order: *, †, ‡, §, ¶, #, ‖, etc. Don’t mix order across pages.
Avoid using too many symbols — after a handful, switch to numbers to reduce reader confusion.
Make sure that any symbol you use is well supported by the font/typeface and will be clearly visible in superscript.
If combining footnotes and endnotes, ensure their symbols or numbering schemes are clearly distinct so readers don’t confuse them.

FAQ

Can I use letters (a, b, c…) instead of symbols or numbers?

Yes, letters are an option, especially in informal or decorative contexts. However, they are less common in academic or formal documents because they can conflict with list markers or other uses. If used, use consistently and ensure they don’t clash with other textual elements.

What if I run out of symbols?

If you run out of distinct symbols (e.g. after # or ‖ in the standard sequence), you have two common options: (1) begin doubling symbols (**, ††, etc.) or (2) switch to using numbers. The doubling approach is often seen in print works that want to maintain a symbol‐based aesthetic.

Are some symbols inappropriate or outdated?

Possibly. Symbols like asterisk, dagger, etc. are well accepted. But very decorative or obscure ones (heart, spade, manicule) may distract or confuse some readers. In academic or formal contexts, stick to the traditional set. Also, ensure the symbol is supported in your font and renders clearly.

Do all style guides accept symbol footnotes?

No. Many academic style guides (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.) prefer numbered footnotes or use endnotes. Some allow or even suggest symbols in limited cases (e.g. author’s note, preface, or for very few notes per page). Always check the style guide relevant to your publication.

Conclusion

Footnote symbols are a useful tool when used carefully. They provide a clean, elegant way to add extra information, especially when only a few notes are needed. The classic sequence (*, †, ‡, §, ¶, #, ‖) gives you enough variation for several footnotes, and the doubling method helps if you need more. But for long academic texts, numbers remain the safer choice. Whatever you choose, consistency, clarity, and readability should always come first.