SymbolHub

Partial Derivative Symbol (∂)

The partial derivative symbol ∂ is Unicode U+2202, the curly d of partial derivatives. Press Copy to put it on your clipboard, or type it with Option + D on a Mac.

Unicode
U+2202
HTML
∂
Word
2202 Alt+X
Mac
Option + D

How to type the partial derivative symbol (∂)

The quickest way is to press Copy above and paste. To type ∂ yourself, use the method for your device below. On a Mac it is Option + D.

Windows

  1. In Word or Outlook, type 2202 and press Alt + X. Alt + X converts the hex code before the cursor into the character, and back again.
  2. Press Win + R, type charmap and press Enter. Tick “Advanced view”, search for Partial Differential, then Select and Copy. Character Map is built into every version of Windows.

Mac

  1. Press Option+D. On the standard US and US-International layouts.
  2. Press Control + Command + Space to open the Character Viewer, search for partial differential and double-click it.

Linux & ChromeOS

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + U, type 2202, then press Enter or Space. Works in GTK and IBus apps (GNOME, Firefox, Chrome, LibreOffice) and on ChromeOS.

iPhone & iPad

  1. Copy ∂ from this page, then go to Settings → General → Keyboard → Text Replacement and add it with a shortcut such as ;part. The shortcut then turns into the symbol as you type, in every app.

Android

  1. Copy ∂ here, then open Gboard settings → Dictionary → Personal dictionary and add it with a shortcut.

Microsoft Word

  1. Type 2202, then press Alt + X.
  2. Insert → Symbol → More Symbols. Set “from” to Unicode (hex), type 2202 in “Character code” and click Insert.
  3. On a Mac, Option+D works in Word too.

Google Docs

  1. Insert → Special characters, then search for “partial differential” or draw it in the box.

Excel & Google Sheets

  1. Enter =UNICHAR(8706) in a cell. It works in Excel 2013 and later and in Google Sheets.

HTML

  1. Write ∂ or ∂ in your HTML.

What does ∂ mean?

∂ marks a partial derivative: ∂f/∂x is the rate of change of f with respect to x while every other variable is held fixed. Adrien-Marie Legendre introduced the curly d in 1786, and Carl Jacobi’s later use made it standard. It is read “partial”, “del” or “curly d”, and it also denotes the boundary of a set in topology (∂A).

Common uses

  • Multivariable calculus: ∂f/∂y
  • Physics equations such as the heat and wave equations

Partial Derivative Symbol codes for HTML, CSS and programming

Every code below produces ∂. Use the HTML entity in web pages, the CSS escape in content, and the escape sequence in source code.

Unicode code pointU+2202
HTML entity (named)∂
HTML decimal∂
HTML hex∂
CSS contentcontent: "\2202";
JavaScript"\u2202"
Python"\u2202"
Python (by name)"\N{PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL}"
Java / C#"\u2202"
LaTeX\partial
UTF-8 bytesE2 88 82
UTF-162202
URL encoded%E2%88%82
Mac shortcutOption + D

∂ vs look-alike characters

These characters look similar to ∂ but have a different meaning and code. Pasting the wrong one can break search, sorting and screen readers.

CharNameWhen to use it
Greek Delta
U+03B4		Greek small letter delta, for small changes and the Kronecker delta.
D
U+0064		Ordinary d, for total derivatives (df/dx).
Nabla
U+2207		Nabla, the gradient operator built from partial derivatives.

Symbols similar to ∂

Click to copy, or open a symbol for its codes. See the full math symbols collection.

∂ character properties

Official Unicode name
PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL
Also known as
del, curly d, partial, dee
Code point
U+2202
Unicode block
Mathematical Operators (U+2200–U+22FF)
General category
Math symbol (Sm)
Added in
Unicode 1.1 (1993)
Plane
Basic Multilingual Plane (0)
Emoji
No, it is a text symbol

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between d and ∂?

d is used when a function depends on one variable (df/dx). ∂ is used when it depends on several and you vary only one of them.

Is there an alt code for the partial derivative symbol?

No. ∂ is outside the Windows-1252 and code page 437 character sets, so no Alt + number code produces it. Copy it from this page, type 2202 then Alt + X in Word, or find it in Character Map.

How do I type the partial derivative symbol on a Mac?

Press Option + D. It works in every app on the US keyboard layout. You can also open the Character Viewer with Control + Command + Space and search for it.

What is the HTML code for the partial derivative symbol?

Use the named entity ∂ or the numeric reference ∂ (hex ∂). All three display ∂ in every browser.

What is the Unicode for the partial derivative symbol?

∂ is U+2202, officially named PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL, in the Mathematical Operators block. It has been part of Unicode since version 1.1 (1993).