Check Mark vs Check Box vs Check Emoji

The check mark (✓, U+2713) is a plain typographic symbol used in printed lists and documents to mark completed items, while the ballot box with check (☑, U+2611) renders as a checkbox with a tick inside, suitable for forms and voting-related content. The white heavy check mark (✅) is an emoji character that renders in full color on emoji-capable platforms, typically as a green or white check with a colored background, making it more visually prominent but inconsistent across platforms and operating systems. Unlike the plain check mark, emoji rendering depends on the platform's emoji font: U+2705 will look different on iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS, and may render as plain text on systems without emoji support. For UI components like task lists or to-do apps, the ballot box with check (U+2611) and its unchecked counterpart ☐ (U+2610) are semantically clearest; however, most modern interfaces use CSS-styled HTML checkboxes for accessibility and interactivity. Related symbols include the heavy check mark (✔, U+2714), the cross mark (❌, U+274C emoji), and the ballot X (✗, U+2717), which form a natural set of affirmative/negative indicator pairs.