How to type the plus-minus symbol (±) on Android
To type the plus minus symbol on Android, copy ± once from this page and add it to your keyboard’s shortcut list. In Gboard that is the personal dictionary, and on Samsung Keyboard it is the text shortcuts list. After that, typing a code such as “pm+” suggests ± in any app.
Quick answer
Copy ± above, then open Gboard settings → Dictionary → Personal dictionary → your language → +, paste ± as the word and add a shortcut such as pm+.
Step by step
Copy ±
Tap Copy at the top of this page.
Open the personal dictionary
In Gboard, tap the gear icon (or open Settings → System → Keyboard → Gboard), then Dictionary → Personal dictionary and choose your language.
Add the entry
Tap +, paste ± into the word field and type a shortcut such as pm+.
Type the shortcut
Type pm+ in any app. ± appears in the suggestion strip above the keyboard; tap it.
Is ± on the Gboard symbol pages?
Gboard’s ?123 and =\< pages carry signs such as ÷, ×, √ and π, but not ±. That is why saving it once is the quickest route. The same is true of most Android keyboards, so the approach below works whichever one you use.
On Samsung Keyboard
Samsung’s keyboard uses a similar feature called text shortcuts. Open the keyboard settings (the gear icon on the toolbar), go to More typing options → Text shortcuts, tap Add, and enter your shortcut with ± as the expanded phrase. Menu names change slightly between One UI versions, but the feature has been there for years.
Pin it to the clipboard
Gboard keeps a clipboard history. Copy ±, open the clipboard panel from the toolbar, then long-press the entry and choose Pin. Pinned items stay available for good, which is handy if you need several symbols such as ± and ° for the same job. The degree symbol on Android guide uses the same trick.
When to use ±
Use ± for tolerances and ranges around a value: 5 V ± 5%, a result of 12 ± 2, or “±20 minutes” in an arrival estimate. It is also the sign in the quadratic formula. For the related “minus-plus” ∓ and other operators, browse the math symbols. The plus-minus symbol page has the HTML and Unicode codes, and the Android symbols guide explains the keyboard pages in more detail.
Frequently asked questions
Does Gboard have a plus-minus key?
No. Gboard’s symbol pages include ÷, ×, √ and π but not ±. Save ± to the personal dictionary with a shortcut instead.
How do I type ± on a Samsung phone?
Add it as a text shortcut in Samsung Keyboard settings → More typing options → Text shortcuts, or copy it from this page when you need it.
Why does my shortcut not show ±?
Personal dictionary entries appear as a suggestion rather than replacing the text automatically. Look at the suggestion strip above the keys and tap ±.