Math Symbols Copy and Paste

How to type math symbols on Windows

Hold ALT and type the decimal code on the numeric keypad, then let go. ALT 241 gives ±, ALT 247 gives ÷, ALT 251 gives √ and ALT 236 gives ∞. Every character in the tables above lists its own ALT code.

Microsoft Word has a better trick that needs no keypad: type the hexadecimal code point and press ALT + X. Typing 2260 then ALT + X turns into ≠, and 221A becomes √. Press ALT + X again to flip it back to the code.

Windows key + full stop opens the emoji panel, which has a symbols tab (Ω) containing most maths characters.

• ALT codes only work on the numeric keypad with Num Lock on, never the number row.
• In Word, ALT + = starts an equation field where you can type \le, \ge, \neq, \sum or \sqrt and press space.
• Insert > Symbol > More Symbols, with the subset set to Mathematical Operators, lists them all.

How to type math symbols on a Mac

The Option key already carries a useful set on the standard US layout, so you rarely need a picker for the common ones.

For everything else press CTRL + CMD + SPACE to open the Character Viewer, type the name of the symbol in the search box (for example integral or subset), and double click the result. Drag your favourites to the Favourites section so they are one click away next time.

• Option + = gives ≠
• Option + , gives ≤ and Option + . gives ≥
• Option + V gives √
• Option + P gives π
• Option + 5 gives ∞
• Option + / gives ÷
• Option + Shift + = gives ±
• Option + X gives ≈ and Option + W gives ∑

Math symbols in HTML, CSS and LaTeX

In HTML the named entities are readable: ≠ for ≠, ≤ for ≤, ≥ for ≥, ± for ±, √ for √, ∑ for ∑, ∞ for ∞ and π for π. Numeric entities always work too, for example ≠ for ≠. If your page declares UTF-8, pasting the character directly is simplest and it is what screen readers handle best.

In CSS content strings use the escaped code point, such as content: "\2260". In JavaScript use "\u2260", or "\u{1D6D1}" for characters beyond the basic plane.

LaTeX uses commands inside maths mode: \neq, \leq, \geq, \pm, \sqrt{x}, \sum_{i=1}^{n}, \int_a^b, \infty, \subseteq, \in, \forall, \exists and \therefore. MathJax and KaTeX accept the same commands on the web.

Math symbols in Google Docs, Word and Excel

Google Docs: Insert > Special characters, then either search for a name or draw the shape in the sketch box, which is unusually good at finding obscure symbols. Docs also has an equation bar (Insert > Equation) where typing \leq or \sqrt followed by a space substitutes the real character. Docs Preferences even let you map a text shortcut such as != to ≠ so it converts as you type.

Word: Insert > Equation or ALT + = for a proper equation field, Insert > Symbol for a single character, and ALT + X for code point conversion. AutoCorrect entries (File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect) can swap your own shorthand for a symbol everywhere in the document.

Excel and Google Sheets: paste the character into a cell and it is plain text, not an operator, so =UNICHAR(8730) returns √ and UNICODE("√") returns 8730. Use a symbol in a custom number format (for example 0.0" ±"0.0) when you want it to appear without breaking the underlying number.

Which symbol should you actually use?

Several pairs look interchangeable on screen but carry different meanings, and picking the wrong one is the fastest way to look sloppy in a paper or a spec.

• ≈ means approximately equal, ≅ means congruent (same shape and size in geometry, or isomorphic in algebra), and ≡ means identical for all values or congruent modulo n.
• × is for numbers and cross products, ⋅ is the neutral multiplication dot used between symbols, and * belongs in code rather than typeset maths.
• The minus sign − (U+2212) is wider and sits at the same height as +, unlike the hyphen -, so use it in real expressions.
• ∅ (empty set) is not the Scandinavian letter Ø, even though many fonts draw them almost identically.
• ∑ (n-ary summation) is the operator, Σ (Greek capital sigma) is the letter. Use ∑ in formulas.
• ∆ (increment, U+2206) and Δ (Greek capital delta) are likewise different code points with the same shape.