How to write a nice # symbol

Question

I'm trying to write a nice number symbol (#). The usual tex way is just to put a backslash before, like this \#. The symbol that is created drops below the baseline of the rest! This is what I want to avoid.

Is there a nice package, or something else, that will allow me to write a nicer looking number symbol?

Welcome to TeX.SX! You can have a look at our starter guide to familiarize yourself further with our format. — , Apr 04 '15 at 15:52
That depends on what you want it for. In text, some OpenType fonts have features that change # to № or that shrink # down to fit with oldstyle numbers. — Thérèse, Apr 04 '15 at 17:00
I think this has to do more with the typography you decide to use. A good one has a set of non alphabetical symbol (such that) well designed instead the boring and generic design present in many others. — Aradnix, Apr 04 '15 at 17:17

score 14 · Accepted Answer · edited Apr 05 '15 at 09:49

14

Does this look nice?

\documentclass{article}

\begin{document}
Using \verb|\verb|: \verb|#| and using \verb|\texttt|: \texttt{\#} and then regular symbol using \verb|\#|: \#

\end{document}

enter image description here

edited Apr 05 '15 at 09:49

törzsmókus

103

answered Apr 04 '15 at 14:16

Yes!:) And it is more upright, which was another thing that I didn't like about the "normal" number symbol. Thanks! – Christian Olsen Apr 04 '15 at 17:27
Isn't it a bit too bold in comparison to the rest of the text? – Jonas Stein Apr 01 '17 at 20:26
Note that \verb cannot be used inside command argument, the \texttt shown in the answer is a good alternative. – user202729 May 06 '23 at 22:48

Franck Pastor · Answer 2 · 2015-04-04T14:26:05.920

8

And this one?

\documentclass{article}
\newcommand{\myhash}{\raisebox{\depth}{\#}}
\begin{document}
\# or \myhash?
\end{document}

enter image description here

The second hash fits your requirement (not dropping below the baseline), but personally I think the first is better positioned.

edited Apr 04 '15 at 14:26

answered Apr 04 '15 at 14:20

Franck Pastor

18,756

4

Anyway, a nice hash symbol is a contradiction in terms. – egreg Apr 04 '15 at 14:26
1

I agree. Compare p = \# d with p = \myhash d The depth of \# is the same that "p", and is as high as "d". In this way is too high. – Fran Apr 04 '15 at 14:30
You are right that your solution makes the baseline follow the normal letter baseline. But as @Fran, I don't like that it now is higher than normal letters. But anyway, thanks for posting your solution:) – Christian Olsen Apr 04 '15 at 17:29
@ChristianOlsen I do agree with you: placed just upon the baseline, the standard hash symbol is way too high relatively to the other letters. But you asked for it, so I got it for you :-) – Franck Pastor Apr 04 '15 at 20:00

score 7 · Answer 3 · answered Apr 04 '15 at 16:37

A solution with TikZ. The hash sign has the width of 80% of the equals sign, see \myWidth, and the height of an uppercase letter, see \myHeight. The vertical distance of the horizontal lines is configured as a third of the width, see \mySepY. The angle of the slanted lines is configured by \myAngle. Also side bearings are added, see \mySideBearing. The line caps are round:

\documentclass{article}

\usepackage{tikz}
\newcommand*{\myhash}{%
  \begin{tikzpicture}
    % Width: 80% of equal sign
    \pgfmathsetlengthmacro\myWidth{.8*width("=")}%
    % Height: height of uppercase letter
    \pgfmathsetlengthmacro\myHeight{height("H")}%
    % Space between horizontal lines
    \pgfmathsetlengthmacro\mySepY{.3333*\myWidth}%
    % Side bearing
    \pgfmathsetlengthmacro\mySideBearing{.1*\myWidth}%
    % Angle for slanted vertical lines
    \def\myAngle{70}%
    % Calculate separation of vertical lines in horizontal direction
    \pgfmathsetlengthmacro\mySepX{\mySepY/sin(\myAngle)}%
    % Calculate the width of a slanted line
    \pgfmathsetlengthmacro\mySlantX{\myHeight/tan(\myAngle)}%
    \draw[line cap=round]
      (0, {(\myHeight - \mySepY)/2}) -- ++(\myWidth, 0)
      (0, {(\myHeight + \mySepY)/2}) -- ++(\myWidth, 0)
      ({(\myWidth - \mySepX - \mySlantX)/2}, 0)
      -- ({(\myWidth - \mySepX + \mySlantX)/2}, \myHeight)
      ({(\myWidth + \mySepX - \mySlantX)/2}, 0)
      -- ({(\myWidth + \mySepX + \mySlantX)/2}, \myHeight)
    ;%
    \useasboundingbox
      (-\mySideBearing, 0)
      (\myWidth + \mySideBearing, \myHeight)
    ;% 
  \end{tikzpicture}%
}

\begin{document}
  A\myhash B vs.\@ A\#B
\end{document}

How to write a nice # symbol

3 Answers3

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