Vulgar Fractions in Unicode
In typography, single-character fractions like ½ are called "vulgar fractions" (from the Latin vulgaris, meaning "common"). They are designed to fit the height of a standard letter, making them much neater than typing "1/2".
When to use them?
- Cooking Recipes: "Add ½ cup of sugar" is far more readable than "Add 1/2 cup".
- Dimensions: "The wood plank is ¾ inch thick."
- Percentages: While the standard % is on your keyboard, the Per Mille (‰) is essential for oceanography (salinity) and finance (tax rates).
The Fraction Slash
If you need a fraction that isn't pre-made (like 12/59), you can use the Fraction Slash (⁄). Unlike the standard forward slash (/), the Fraction Slash is designed to let software compress the numbers around it, potentially creating a custom fraction depending on your font's capabilities.