Math Symbols
Copy math symbols in one click: operators ± × ÷ ≠ ≈, comparisons ≤ ≥, roots and powers √ ², calculus ∑ ∫ ∂, sets and logic ∈ ∪ ∀ ⇒. On Windows, Alt + 241 types ± and Alt + 251 types √.
Click any symbol to copy it. 132 symbols
Arithmetic and comparison
20Roots, powers and fractions
14Calculus and analysis
16Set theory
18Logic and proof
20Relations and geometry
16Number sets
9Operators and brackets
19Common math symbols and what they mean
| Symbol | Name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| ± | Plus-minus | Either plus or minus; also a tolerance, as in 5 ± 0.1 mm |
| ≠ | Not equal to | The two sides have different values |
| ≈ | Almost equal to | An approximation: π ≈ 3.14 |
| ≡ | Identical to | True for every value, or congruent in modular arithmetic |
| ∝ | Proportional to | One quantity scales with another |
| ∑ | Summation | Add up a series of terms |
| ∫ | Integral | Area under a curve, the reverse of differentiation |
| ∂ | Partial derivative | Rate of change in one variable while others stay fixed |
| ∈ | Element of | Belongs to a set: 3 ∈ ℕ |
| ∴ | Therefore | Introduces a conclusion in a proof |
How to type math symbols
Windows has short alt codes for a handful of maths characters inherited from the original PC character set. Hold Alt and type on the numeric keypad: 241 ±, 246 ÷, 247 ≈, 243 ≤, 242 ≥, 236 ∞, 251 √ and 227 π. The multiplication sign × is Alt + 0215. Everything else is quicker to copy from this page or to insert with its hex code and Alt + X in Word.
Mac users get more built in. With the US layout, Option + = types ≠, Option + X types ≈, Option + , and Option + . give ≤ and ≥, Option + 5 is ∞, Option + V is √, Option + W is ∑ and Option + B is ∫. The Mac Option key cheat sheet lists the rest.
For whole formulas, use an equation editor rather than individual characters. In Word, press Alt + = to start an equation, then type LaTeX-style names such as \infty or \sum followed by a space.
The minus sign is not a hyphen
The hyphen on your keyboard (-) is shorter and sits lower than the true minus sign − (U+2212), which is as wide as a plus sign. In typeset documents and on web pages, −5 looks noticeably better than -5. In spreadsheets and code, keep the hyphen, because formulas and programming languages only understand that one.
For fractions and exponents in running text, see the fraction symbols and superscript and subscript collections. The Greek letters page covers π, θ, λ and the rest of the alphabet used in formulas.
Frequently asked questions
How do I type math symbols on a keyboard?
On Windows, some have alt codes: Alt + 241 for ±, Alt + 246 for ÷, Alt + 251 for √ and Alt + 236 for ∞. On a Mac, use Option combinations such as Option + = for ≠. For anything else, copy it from this page.
What is the alt code for the plus-minus sign?
Alt + 241 types ± in most Windows apps, and Alt + 0177 works too. On a Mac, press Option + Shift + =.
What does the symbol ∴ mean?
∴ means “therefore”. It introduces a conclusion that follows from the lines before it, and its counterpart ∵ means “because”.
What is the difference between − and -?
− (U+2212) is the mathematical minus sign, the same width as +. The keyboard hyphen (-) is shorter; it is fine in code and spreadsheets but looks cramped in typeset maths.
How do I write the “real numbers” symbol ℝ?
Copy ℝ from the Number sets group. It is U+211D, Double-Struck Capital R, and in LaTeX it is written \mathbb{R}.