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Michal Broniewicz
Michal Broniewicz
6,681 Points
Posted by Michal Broniewicz
Michal Broniewicz
6,681 Points

Document uses the Unicode Private Use Area(s)

Hey, Im optimizing my website right now and i found this warning using validator.w3.org.

It says "Document uses the Unicode Private Use Area(s), which should not be used in publicly exchanged documents. (Charmod C073)"

and the code is

<li><a href="index.html" data-icon="&#xe902;">Home</a></li>

with semicolon marked on red. However when i delete semicolon it works but finds it as an error. Should i care about it or leave it with semicolon?

1 Answer

Tom Bedford
Tom Bedford
15,645 Points
Tom Bedford
Tom Bedford
15,645 Points

Hi Michal

I wouldn't worry too much about this one as it's a warning not an error. I would keep the semi-colon if that's what the icon documentation suggests (looks like you're using IcoMoon?).

IcoMoon's explanation for the use of using the Private Use Area is:

Using Latin letters is not recommended for icons fonts. Using the Private Use Area of Unicode is the best option for icon fonts. By using PUA characters, your icon font will be compatible with screen readers. But if you use Latin characters, the screen reader might read the single meaning less letters, which would be confusing.

Here is a link to some people arguing over whether it is good use or not.

Hundreds of sites sites use the code from IcoMoon with no issue.