Cross mark emoji ❌ (the red X)
❌ is the cross mark: a bold red X. It means no, wrong, cancelled, delete — the opposite of ✅ check mark button in lists, quizzes and polls, and a flat refusal in
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What the cross mark ❌ (the red x) emoji means
❌ is the cross mark: a bold red X. It means no, wrong, cancelled, delete — the opposite of ✅ check mark button in lists, quizzes and polls, and a flat refusal in replies. ❎ cross mark button is the same X in a green box, used for “not selected” in forms. ✖️ heavy multiplication X is thinner and doubles as “times”. In relationship talk ❌ marks an ex or a dealbreaker; in games it is the wrong answer buzzer. The religious cross is a different character, covered on the cross emoji guide.
Unicode name: cross mark · U+274C · Emoji 0.6 (original set) · group: Symbols.
How people use it
- Wrong or no: quizzes, verdicts, refusals
- Cancelled: plans, events, subscriptions
- Checklists: ❌ against ✅
- Dealbreakers: “❌ smokers” in bios
Compare the options
| Emoji | Name | Use it for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| cross markU+274C | Red X: no, wrong | ||
| cross mark buttonU+274E | X in a green box: not selected | ||
| multiplyU+2716 U+FE0F | Heavy multiplication X | Times, or a thin X | |
| check mark buttonU+2705 | Yes, done | ||
| prohibitedU+1F6AB | Not allowed |
Cancel and error: when ❌ means stop or not allowed
❌ is the go-to cancel emoji in messages and interfaces. You will see it as a close button on pop-ups, a delete control in apps, and a way to say “cancelled” in group chats — as in “Tonight’s dinner is ❌” when plans fall through.
It also works as an error emoji. A red X next to a field on a form means something needs fixing, and in error messages it signals that an action failed. Unlike the gentler ❎, ❌ carries a firmer “no” or “stop”.
Questions people ask
What does ❌ mean?
No, wrong or cancelled — the red X that pairs with the green check.
What is the difference between ❌ and ❎?
❌ is a plain red X. ❎ is a white X on a green square, meant for an unticked option in a form.
What does ❌ mean from a guy?
A clear no, or a joke about something being a dealbreaker. It is blunt but not angry.
Is ❌ the same as the red letter X?
Visually, ❌ looks like a bold red X, but its official name is the cross mark. People often call it the red X when they want to signal no, wrong, or cancel.
What is the difference between ❌ and ✖️?
The ❌ cross mark and ✖️ heavy multiplication X look similar but have different uses. ❌ is a cross mark, often red, used for no, wrong, cancel, or delete. ✖️ is a multiplication sign, used in maths or to mark something as unavailable. In quick messages, people use either to mean an X.
Is there an x face emoji?
There is no emoji that is just an X-shaped face. The dizzy face 😵 shows X-shaped eyes, and people often use ❌ or ✖️ to send an X symbol.
About this guide
Written and maintained by the Emoji Directory editorial team, without ads or sponsorship. Meanings describe how the emoji is commonly used in public posts and messages, not an official definition. Names, code points, versions, keywords and translations come from the Unicode Emoji 18.0 and CLDR data; shortcodes from the gemoji project. Last reviewed . Spotted a mistake or a new usage? Tell us, or read how the directory is made.
