Unicode 18.0 Enters Alpha Review Phase
What happened
The Unicode Consortium has opened the alpha review period for Unicode 18.0. The character repertoire for the upcoming version is considered mature and stable, though not yet final. Developers working on internationalized applications are encouraged to provide feedback before the code points and character names are finalized.
Why it matters
- The alpha review period for Unicode 18.0 concludes on March 31, 2026, with a beta review scheduled to commence in May 2026 before the final release, which is tentatively planned for September 15, 2026. - This next version of the standard is set to introduce 13,048 new characters, expanding the total number of characters to 172,849. - The majority of the new additions, 11,328 characters, are part of the Small Seal script, a significant precursor to modern Han (CJK) ideographs. - Four new scripts are planned for inclusion: Chisoi, a modern script from eastern India; Jurchen, a historic script from northeastern China; Proto-cuneiform numeric signs; and the aforementioned Small Seal script. - In addition to new scripts, the update includes nine new emoji characters, 72 historical mathematical symbols, and three new currency symbols for the Maldivian Rufiyaa, Omani Rial, and UAE Dirham. - One of the proposed emoji, initially "Face With Squinting Eyes," has been changed to "Cracking Face" following recommendations from the Unicode Emoji Standard & Research Working Group. - Following the alpha review, the character repertoire, code points, and character names will be finalized and locked down during the beta review phase.
Key numbers
- The Unicode Consortium has opened the alpha review period for Unicode 18.0.
- - The alpha review period for Unicode 18.0 concludes on March 31, 2026, with a beta review scheduled to commence in May 2026 before the final release, which is tentatively planned for September 15, 2026.
- This next version of the standard is set to introduce 13,048 new characters, expanding the total number of characters to 172,849.
- The majority of the new additions, 11,328 characters, are part of the Small Seal script, a significant precursor to modern Han (CJK) ideographs.
What happens next
- The alpha review period for Unicode 18.0 concludes on March 31, 2026, with a beta review scheduled to commence in May 2026 before the final release, which is tentatively planned for September 15, 2026.
- This next version of the standard is set to introduce 13,048 new characters, expanding the total number of characters to 172,849.
- Following the alpha review, the character repertoire, code points, and character names will be finalized and locked down during the beta review phase.
Quick answers
What happened in Unicode 18.0 Enters Alpha Review Phase?
The Unicode Consortium has opened the alpha review period for Unicode 18.0. The character repertoire for the upcoming version is considered mature and stable, though not yet final. Developers working on internationalized applications are encouraged to provide feedback before the code points and character names are finalized.
Why does Unicode 18.0 Enters Alpha Review Phase matter?
The alpha review period for Unicode 18.0 concludes on March 31, 2026, with a beta review scheduled to commence in May 2026 before the final release, which is tentatively planned for September 15, 2026. This next version of the standard is set to introduce 13,048 new characters, expanding the total number of characters to 172,849. The majority of the new additions, 11,328 characters, are part of the Small Seal script, a significant precursor to modern Han (CJK) ideographs. Four new scripts are planned for inclusion: Chisoi, a modern script from eastern India; Jurchen, a historic script from northeastern China; Proto-cuneiform numeric signs; and the aforementioned Small Seal script. In addition to new scripts, the update includes nine new emoji characters, 72 historical mathematical symbols, and three new currency symbols for the Maldivian Rufiyaa, Omani Rial, and UAE Dirham. One of the proposed emoji, initially "Face With Squinting Eyes," has been changed to "Cracking Face" following recommendations from the Unicode Emoji Standard & Research Working Group. Following the alpha review, the character repertoire, code points, and character names will be finalized and locked down during the beta review phase.
