Escape sequence have been in headlines for a long time as one of the curious questions for new programmers who are finding their way in coding through C programming. An escape sequence is used as a formatting output element.
The practice of using an escape sequence began with C programming, where it is used to include characters that cannot be included otherwise using a keyboard. Here, we will learn more about escape sequences in detail, along with their syntax, types, and applications.
What Is an Escape Sequence?
An Escape Sequence is a combination of different characters used to showcase characters that cannot be directly typed using a keyboard. A single quote can hold more than one character, unlike a character literal, which only holds a single character inside single quotes.
By using the escape character sequence in C, special meaning is given to the characters that appear just next to the backlash (\) character. Using the Escape sequence (/) causes the compiler in a code editor platform to escape out of the string and provide a separate meaning.
Escape Sequence: Key Takeaways
- An escape sequence is used to specify characters that are otherwise not possible to specify using a literal.
- They contain a special combination of characters used to present non-printable and hard-to-type characters.
- Backslash (\) is used to define the escape sequence in programming.
- An escape character sequence always begins with a backslash (/) followed by any number of specific characters.
Read More: C Programming Examples for Beginners With Solutions & Output
Why Escape Sequence In Programming?
Suppose you want characters to move to a new line without manually giving each space multiple times for your code with the print () function. You can solve this problem using the simple “\n” escape character sequence available in the C programming language. This will help you print each sequence or phrase on a new line based on your choice. You only have to put this escape character adjacent to the character you want to move to the new line.
| #include <stdio.h>
int main() { printf(“Hello\nWorld”); return 0; } |
- When you need to include characters that have special meaning in the code, you can use them. For example, when you want double quotes inside a string, you can use the escape (\”) character.
- When you need to add tab space to arrange your texts in a neat format.
There are many more use cases of escape character sequences in C programming. Let us check some of the most frequently used escape sequences below.
Escape Sequence Table With Examples
Let us check some of the frequently used escape sequences below, along with their definitions and examples.
| Escape Character sequence | Description |
| \a | Alert (bell) |
| \b | Backspace |
| \f | Form feed |
| \n | New line |
| \r | Carriage return |
| \t | Horizontal tab |
| \v | Vertical tab |
| \\ | Backslash |
| \’ | Single quote |
| \” | Double quote |
| \? | Question mark |
| \0 | Null character |
| \ooo | Octal number |
| \xhh | Hexadecimal number |
1. \a – Alert (Bell)
This escape sequence is used to produce an audible bell or beep sound on some systems. However, not all modern systems support this feature of escape sequences. The hex value in ASCII for this escape sequence is 0x07.
| #include <stdio.h>
int main() { printf(“Warning!\a”); return 0; } |
Output
 |
When this code is executed along with the “\a” tag, the system may produce a small beep sound after printing “Warning!”.
2. \b — Backspace
This escape sequence is used to move the cursor one position backward, erasing the previous character. It can either be visual or functional, completely depending on the system or environment. The hex value in ASCII for this escape sequence is 0x08.
| #include <stdio.h>
int main() { printf(“Hello\b World”); return 0; } |
Output
 |
This backspace sequence removes the letter ‘o’, which results in the output being “Hell World.”
3. \f — Form Feed
This escape sequence is used to advance the cursor to the next sequence or page in printers. The hex value in ASCII for this escape character sequence is 0x0C
| #include <stdio.h>
int main() { printf(“Page 1\fPage 2”); return 0; } |
Output
 |
This tag simply puts a set of words or phrases on a new page-like section; on most terminals, it may simply create a blank line or no visible effect.
4. \n — New Line
This escape function is used to set the cursor to the beginning of the next line in C programming. The hex value in ASCII for this escape character sequence is 0x0A.
| #include <stdio.h>
int main() { printf(“Hello\nWorld”); return 0; } |
Output
|
Read more: Command Line for Beginners – How to Use the Terminal in an Effective way (2025)
5. \r — Carriage Return
This escape sequence puts the cursor to the beginning of the current line without moving down. The hex value in ASCII for this escape character sequence is 0x0D.
| #include <stdio.h>
int main() { printf(“Hello\rWorld”); return 0; } |
Output
 |
The output here, along with the \r element, moves the cursor back to line start, so “World” overwrites “Hello”. Output: World.
6. \t — Horizontal Tab
This escape sequence is used to insert a horizontal tab. It moves the cursor to the next horizontal tab stop. The space is equivalent to a few spaces, might just be 8. The hex value in ASCII for this escape character is 0x09.
| #include <stdio.h>
int main() { printf(“Name\tAge\tCity\nJohn\t25\tDelhi”); return 0; } |
Output
 |
This escape sequence aligns text into columns neatly using tab spaces.
7. \v — Vertical Tab
The \v vertical tab escape sequence moves the cursor to the next vertical tab stop. The output here, when using the \v tag, might appear as a line gap vertically, depending on the terminal used. The hex value in ASCII for this escape sequence is 0x0B.
| #include <stdio.h>
int main() { printf(“Hello\vWorld”); return 0; } |
Output
 |
8. \\ — Backslash
This tag is used to put a single backslash \ character with any list of phrases or sentences. When you want to put a \ character itself, you can use the double backlash. The hex value in ASCII for this escape sequence is 0x5C.
| #include <stdio.h>
int main() { printf(“C:\\Program Files\\MyApp”); return 0; } |
Output
 |
9. \’ — Single Quote
This single quote tag is used for printing a single quote ‘ inside character or string literals. The hex value in ASCII for this is 0x27.
| #include <stdio.h>
int main() { printf(“It\’s a sunny day”); return 0; } |
Output
 |
10. \” — Double Quote
This tag in C programming is used for printing double quotes inside a string literal. The hex value in ASCII for this is 0x22.
| #include <stdio.h>
int main() { printf(“He said, \”Hello!\””); return 0; } |
Output
 |
11. \? — Question Mark
This question mark escape sequence in C is used to insert a question mark character wherever needed in C programming. The hex value for this tag is 0x3F.
| #include <stdio.h>
int main() { printf(“What\? Really?”); return 0; } |
Output
 |
12. \0 — Null Character
This tag represents the end of a string in C. It’s the string terminator used internally to terminate the string or character literal wherever it is used. The hex code for this escape sequence in C is 0x00
| #include <stdio.h>
int main() { char str[] = “Hello\0World”; printf(“%s”, str); return 0; } |
Output
 |
13. \ooo — Octal Number
This tag is used to present a character by using its octal value.
| #include <stdio.h>
int main() { printf(“Character: %c”, ‘\101’); return 0; } |
Output
 |
14. \xhh — Hexadecimal Number
This escape sequence is used to represent a character using a hexadecimal value.
| #include <stdio.h>
int main() { printf(“Character: %c”, ‘\x41’); return 0; } |
Output
 |
Examples of Escape Sequence In Programming Languages
Let us take a simple and complete example of an escape sequence in C programming to get a complete picture in mind.
Suppose you have a store and you need to code a bill format or receipt in a proper, structured manner. So your code might look like this, along with the output.
| #include <stdio.h>
int main() { printf(“—– Café Bill —–\n”); printf(“Item\t\tPrice\n”); printf(“Coffee\t\t$5\n”); printf(“Sandwich\t$7\n”); printf(“———————-\n”); printf(“Total:\t\t$12\nThank you for visiting!\nCome again soon!\n”);
return 0; } |
Output
 |
Learn DSA With C++ Program with PW Skills
Prepare for interviews with C programming and DSA with Decode DSA With C++ Course. Master C++ programming with practice exercises, module assignments, real world projects, and certification exams.
Solve real world examples with C++ programs and gain knowledge of programming with C++ with interactive classes and in depth live sessions with dedicated mentors at PW Skills.
Escape Sequence FAQs
Q1. What is an escape sequence in a C program?
Ans: An Escape Sequence in C is a combination of different characters used to showcase characters that cannot be directly typed using a keyboard. For example, \n, \\, \”, \r, \b, etc are some of the examples of escape characters used in C programming.
Q2. What is \n escape character used for?
Ans: The \n escape character is used to print a new line. When you want to print phrases in the next line without manually typing the space key repeatedly.
Q3. What is the use of \r in C programming?
Ans: The \r escape character in C programming is used to represent the carriage return character. With the help of the \r character, you can set the cursor to the beginning of the current line without moving to the next.
Q4. What are six escape sequences?
Ans: Newline, Horizontal tab, vertical tab, backspace, carriage return, backslah, are six major types of escape sequence in C programming.
