What is ampersand?
The ampersand is the symbol "&," used as shorthand for the word "and." It began as a ligature of the letters in the Latin word "et," which is why its modern italic form still reveals the shape of an "e" and a "t" twisted together. Today the ampersand shows up in brand names ("AT&T," "Johnson & Johnson"), in formal citation formats and sometimes in headlines or display copy where space is tight.
Why does ampersand matter?
The ampersand matters because it is a visual shortcut, not a spelling rule. Used in running prose, it looks casual and can clash with a polished tone, which is why most editorial style guides reserve it for proper names and specific design contexts. Setting a clear rule prevents the kind of drift where "and" turns into "&" in random places, and it keeps your word and your logo readable at every size.
How do you use ampersand?
Keep the ampersand in official brand names exactly as the company writes them, such as "AT&T" or "Procter & Gamble."
Spell out "and" in running prose, headings and body copy, unless your brand explicitly uses an ampersand in its own name or wordmark.
Allow the ampersand in tight design contexts such as logos, navigation items or chart labels, while keeping the full word in long-form content.
