The character ^ is most commonly called a caret in English.

Main names and uses

  • In typing and computing , ^ is usually called a caret ; for example, “press Shift + 6 to type a caret.”
  • In mathematics and programming , it often represents exponentiation (raising to a power), as in 2^3 = 8.
  • In proofreading , a caret is used to mark where text should be inserted: you place the ^ where the new word goes.

Other names you might hear

Depending on context, people may also call it:

  • Circumflex (especially when it sits over a letter, like â, which is the circumflex accent).
  • Hat (colloquially, especially in math or coding communities: “two hat three” for 2^3).

So if someone asks, “what is ^ called?”, the safest everyday answer is caret.