Katakana (Unicode block)

The Katakana Unicode block is a range of code points within the Unicode standard dedicated to representing the katakana script, one of the three writing systems used in the Japanese language (along with hiragana and kanji). This block contains the standard katakana characters, used primarily for writing loanwords (gairaigo), foreign names, onomatopoeia, emphasis, and technical or specialized terms.

The block encompasses the basic katakana syllabary, including the five vowels and combinations of consonants and vowels. It also includes characters used for indicating prolonged sounds (chōonpu), and smaller versions of certain katakana characters used for representing sounds not found in the standard Japanese language, particularly in loanwords from English and other languages. These smaller characters are often referred to as yōon.

Beyond the basic characters, the Katakana block also contains some obsolete katakana, phonetic extensions, and other symbols related to katakana usage. The block is carefully designed to align with the corresponding hiragana block, allowing for easy conversion between the two scripts. The consistent arrangement facilitates tasks such as transliteration and language processing.

The official Unicode name for the block is "Katakana." Its code point range is typically U+30A0 to U+30FF.