Radiation Symbol ☢ — Copy Paste and Meaning
Copy and paste the radiation symbol ☢ and biohazard ☣ sign. Learn the history of the trefoil design, safety meanings, Unicode codes, and how to type them.
The radiation symbol — that unmistakable three-bladed trefoil — is one of the most universally recognized warning signs in the world. Whether you've seen it on a lab door, in a video game, or on a hazmat container, its message is clear: danger, keep away. On this page you can copy the radiation and biohazard symbols and learn the fascinating history behind their designs.
Copy and Paste Radiation and Biohazard Symbols
Click any symbol to copy it instantly.
What Does the Radiation Symbol Mean?
The radiation trefoil (☢) is an international warning symbol indicating the presence of ionizing radiation. Ionizing radiation includes alpha particles, beta particles, gamma rays, and X-rays — all of which can damage living tissue and cause cancer or radiation sickness at high doses. When you see this symbol, it means: radiation source nearby, follow safety protocols.
The symbol appears on radioactive materials, nuclear facility signs, X-ray rooms, industrial radiography equipment, and anywhere radiation sources are stored or used. It's standardized under ISO 7010 as a mandatory warning sign in workplaces that handle radioactive materials.
History of the Radiation Trefoil
The radiation symbol was created in 1946 at the University of California, Berkeley's Radiation Laboratory. A team led by health physicist Nelson Garden designed the trefoil as part of a set of radiation warning symbols. The original design used a magenta trefoil on a blue background.
The three-bladed shape was chosen because it's easily recognizable from any angle and doesn't resemble any common object — making it unambiguous as a warning sign even to people who had never seen it before. The shape is based on the propeller-like pattern that radiation makes when emitted from a central source in a circular pattern.
In 2007, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) introduced an additional "supplementary" radiation warning symbol. This new design includes the traditional trefoil plus radiating waves, a skull and crossbones, and a running figure — designed to be more intuitive for people who might not recognize the trefoil alone, especially in developing countries.
The Biohazard Symbol (☣)
Often confused with the radiation symbol, the biohazard symbol (☣) warns of biological hazards — bacteria, viruses, toxins, and other biological agents that pose a threat to human health. While the radiation trefoil has three sharp blades, the biohazard symbol has a more circular, crown-like shape with three overlapping circles.
The biohazard symbol was designed in 1966 by Charles Baldwin, an environmental-health engineer working at the Dow Chemical Company. His team was tasked with creating a symbol that would be memorable, meaningless to the uninitiated (so it wouldn't generate false assumptions), and quickly recognizable. The resulting design has remained unchanged for over 50 years.
Differences Between ☢ and ☣
| Feature | Radiation ☢ | Biohazard ☣ |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Ionizing radiation | Biological hazard |
| Designed | 1946, UC Berkeley | 1966, Dow Chemical |
| Shape | Three sharp blades / trefoil | Three overlapping circles |
| Color | Traditionally magenta on yellow | Traditionally black on orange/yellow |
| Unicode | U+2622 | U+2623 |
| Used for | Nuclear, X-ray, radioactive material | Medical waste, lab samples, infectious agents |
Radiation Symbol in Pop Culture
The radiation trefoil has become a staple of post-apocalyptic and sci-fi aesthetics. It appears prominently in the Fallout video game series (the franchise's logo is literally a modified trefoil), in nuclear-themed movies, and on merchandise ranging from t-shirts to stickers. The symbol evokes nuclear war, mutation, and radioactive wastelands — making it perfect for dystopian art and fiction.
In music, the symbol has been used by bands and DJs in electronic and industrial genres. It also appears in graffiti and street art as a symbol of urban decay or environmental warning. The biohazard symbol similarly appears in gaming (Resident Evil, Call of Duty zombies mode) and medical thriller aesthetics.
How to Type the Radiation Symbol
Windows
| Symbol | Method |
|---|---|
| ☢ | Win + Period, search "radioactive" |
| ☢ | Character Map — search "radioactive" or U+2622 |
| ☣ | Win + Period, search "biohazard" |
Mac
Press Control + Command + Space to open the Character Viewer. Search for "radioactive" to find ☢, or "biohazard" to find ☣. Double-click to insert.
Mobile (iPhone and Android)
On iPhone, open the emoji keyboard and search for "radioactive" — you'll find ☢ in the Symbols category. The biohazard ☣ is also available. On Android, open your emoji keyboard and search for "radioactive" or "biohazard." Availability depends on your keyboard app.
HTML and Unicode Reference
| Symbol | Name | Unicode | HTML Entity | CSS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ☢ | Radioactive Sign | U+2622 | ☢ | \2622 |
| ☣ | Biohazard Sign | U+2623 | ☣ | \2623 |
Safety Context
Both symbols are part of the GHS (Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals) and are internationally recognized. In workplaces, they are legally required warning signs wherever the relevant hazards exist. If you're using these symbols in design or media, treat them with the respect they deserve — they communicate genuine danger.
The radiation symbol specifically warns against three types of radiation risk: external exposure (standing near a source), internal exposure (inhaling or ingesting radioactive material), and contamination (radioactive material on surfaces or skin). Each type requires different safety measures, but the warning symbol is the same.