Unicode 18.0 Alpha Review Opens for Feedback
By: Peter Constable, Chair of the Unicode Technical Committee
The repertoire for Unicode Version 18.0 is now open for early review and comment. During alpha review, the repertoire is reasonably mature and stable but is not yet completely locked down. Discussion regarding whether certain characters should be removed from the repertoire for publication is welcome. Character names and code point assignments are reasonably firm, but suggestions for improvement may still be considered.
For the alpha review, preliminary data files are also available, with data covering existing and new character repertoire. In addition, a draft for the core specification is available, with new block descriptions for some of the newly-added blocks and scripts.
The primary focus for the alpha review should be on the new character repertoire. This early review is provided so that reviewers may consider the repertoire and data file issues prior to the start of beta review (currently scheduled to start in May 2026). Once beta review begins, the repertoire, code points, and character names will all be locked down, and no longer be subject to changes.
Notable changes
The planned repertoire for Unicode 18.0 adds 13,048 new characters, which would bring the total number of characters to 172,849 characters.
The additions include four new scripts:
Small Seal (“Seal”): This comprises the largest portion of the new characters, with 11,328 ideographs. Seal is an important precursor to modern Han ideographs (aka, “CJK”), and has important cultural significance in China and for Chinese speakers throughout the world.
Chisoi: A modern script used in eastern India.
Jurchen: A historic ideographic script that was used in northeastern China during the Jin and Ming dynasties.
Proto-cuneiform—in this version, just numeric signs (other characters have been proposed for a future version).
Other additions include nine new emoji characters, 72 historical mathematical symbols, 323 Cuneiform numeric signs, and three new currency symbols for modern currencies:
Maldivian Rufiyaa
Omani Rial
UAE Dirham
Feedback for the alpha review should be reported under PRI #536 using the Unicode contact form by March 31, 2026.
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