Emacs: describe-char, Find a Char's Unicode Name, Codepoint, Encoding, Property, Font, Cursor Position
Place cursor on the character then Alt + x describe-char
.
- Alt + x
describe-char
-
Show info about cursor position and info on the character to the right of cursor (or under, if cursor shape is square.).
Position is between characters. The left of first character in buffer has position 1.
The info of the character after cursor, includes:
- Unicode Codepoint (decimal, octal, hexadecimal)
- Unicode Name
- Unicode encoding used for the character
- Font used
- Emacs syntax class of the character. [see Emacs Lisp: Syntax Table]
Show Cursor Position

describe-char
, showing cursor position. 2022-10-07
Find Unicode Character Codepoint, Character Name

describe-char
, showing info about the right arrow → character.
2022-10-07
Get Codepoint of ASCII Control Character

describe-char
, showing ASCII control character CR.
Find Font Used for the Character Under Cursor

describe-char
, showing current font used of a character.
Find Syntax Class of a Character

Check Character's Unicode Property
For example, check if a character is a unicode letter.
Place cursor on (or before) the char, then
Alt + x
describe-char
, then read the line “general-category”.
[see Emacs: Unicode Tutorial]

Jump to a Cursor Position
- Alt + x
goto-char
- Move cursor to a given position.