The char Type
Single characters in C#.
The char Type is a free C# Academy lesson on CoddyKit — lesson 1 of 4. You can read the complete lesson below for free — then practise it hands-on in the browser with a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor. It is part of the C# Academy learning path, one of 4 lessons in the course, and your progress syncs across the web and the CoddyKit app.
What Is a char?
In C#, char represents a single Unicode character, like a letter, digit, or symbol.
You write a char literal using single quotes, not double quotes. Double quotes are reserved for strings.
A char always holds exactly one character.
char letter = 'A';
char digit = '7';
char symbol = '#';Printing a char
You can print a char just like any other value with Console.WriteLine.
This complete program declares a char and prints it. Notice the single quotes around the character.
class Program
{
static void Main()
{
char grade = 'B';
System.Console.WriteLine(grade);
}
}char vs string
A char is one character; a string is a sequence of characters.
Single quotes make a char. Double quotes make a string, even if it holds just one letter.
So 'A' and "A" are different types.
char c = 'A';
string s = "A";char Has a Numeric Code
Each char maps to a number called its Unicode code point.
If you cast a char to int, you see that number. For example, 'A' is 65 and 'a' is 97.
This is why characters can be compared and ordered.
class Program
{
static void Main()
{
char c = 'A';
int code = (int)c;
System.Console.WriteLine(code);
}
}From Number Back to char
You can also cast an int back into a char.
Casting the number 66 to a char gives 'B'. This lets you build characters from their codes.
class Program
{
static void Main()
{
int code = 66;
char c = (char)code;
System.Console.WriteLine(c);
}
}Reading a char From a string
A string lets you access individual characters using square brackets and an index.
Indexes start at 0, so text[0] is the first character. Each item you read this way is a char.
class Program
{
static void Main()
{
string text = "Code";
char first = text[0];
System.Console.WriteLine(first);
}
}Comparing chars
Because each char has a numeric code, you can compare them with <, >, and ==.
For example, 'a' < 'b' is true because 97 is less than 98. This is useful for sorting and checking ranges.
bool result = 'a' < 'b';
// result is trueCommon Escape Sequences
Some characters need an escape sequence inside single quotes.
A newline is '\n', a tab is '\t', and a single quote is '\''. The backslash starts the escape.
char newline = '\n';
char tab = '\t';
char quote = '\'';char in a Variable Type
You can use var and the compiler infers the type from the literal.
Because the value uses single quotes, letter becomes a char automatically. The behavior is the same as writing char explicitly.
class Program
{
static void Main()
{
var letter = 'Z';
System.Console.WriteLine(letter);
}
}Default char Value
The default value of a char is '\0', the null character with code 0.
It is not a space or an empty value. If you create a char without assigning it a meaningful character, it starts as this null character.
char c = default;
int code = (int)c;
// code is 0char to string
To turn a char into a one-character string, call ToString on it.
This is handy when an API needs a string but you only have a single char.
class Program
{
static void Main()
{
char c = 'X';
string s = c.ToString();
System.Console.WriteLine(s);
}
}Quick Check
Test your understanding of the char type.
Recap
A char holds one Unicode character and uses single quotes.
Each char has a numeric code, so you can cast between char and int and compare characters. You read a char from a string by index, and turn it into a string with ToString.
Frequently asked questions
Is the “The char Type” lesson free?
Yes — the full text of “The char Type” is free to read here on the web, and the C# Academy course includes 4 lessons in total. To practise it interactively (a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor) and unlock the rest of the C# Academy course, upgrade to CoddyKit PRO.
What will I learn in “The char Type”?
Single characters in C#. You practise C# Academy with hands-on code you run directly in the browser, and a 24/7 AI tutor answers your questions as you work through the lesson.
Do I need any experience to start C# Academy?
No prior experience is required. C# Academy on CoddyKit is structured for beginners through advanced learners; this is — lesson 1 of 4, so you can start here or from the beginning and move at your own pace.
How long does the “The char Type” lesson take?
Most CoddyKit lessons take about 5–10 minutes. Each one is bite-sized and interactive, so you make steady progress and pick up exactly where you left off across the web and the app.
Can I write and run code in this C# Academy lesson?
Yes. Every C# Academy lesson includes a built-in code editor, so you write and run real code right in your browser and get instant AI feedback — no local setup required.