½ one half
U+00BD · VULGAR FRACTION ONE HALF
How to type ½
Shortcuts verified against Microsoft, Apple and X.Org documentation.
Windows
- Alt code
- Hold Alt, type Alt+0189 on the numeric keypad, release Alt.
- Alt code
- The short code Alt+171 also works on US English systems (code page 437).
- Alt codes need the numeric keypad with Num Lock on. On a laptop without one, use the Word method or copy the character.
- Alt+X in Word and Outlook
- Type 00BD then press Alt+X. The code turns into ½.
- US-International keyboard
- With the US-International layout enabled: AltGr+7.
- Character Map
- Open Character Map (search “charmap” in the Start menu), find ½, click Select then Copy.
Google Docs: Insert > Special characters, then type “one half fraction” or draw ½. Your operating system shortcut also works inside Docs.
Mac
- Option key
- There is no Option shortcut for ½ on the US keyboard layout.
- Unicode Hex Input
- Switch to Unicode Hex Input, hold Option and type 00BD.
- Character Viewer
- Press Control+Command+Space, search “one half fraction” and double-click ½.
Google Docs: Insert > Special characters, then type “one half fraction” or draw ½. Your operating system shortcut also works inside Docs.
iPhone and iPad
- iPhone keyboard
- ½ is not in the English keyboard pop-up on iPhone.
- Or just copy it
- Tap ½ at the top of this page and paste it anywhere.
Google Docs: Insert > Special characters, then type “one half fraction” or draw ½. Your operating system shortcut also works inside Docs.
Android
- Android keyboard (Gboard)
- Touch and hold the 1 key, slide to ½, release.
- Or just copy it
- Tap ½ at the top of this page and paste it anywhere.
Google Docs: Insert > Special characters, then type “one half fraction” or draw ½. Your operating system shortcut also works inside Docs.
Linux
- Compose key
- Press Compose 1 2 (enable the Compose key in your keyboard settings first).
- Unicode entry (GTK apps and Chromebook)
- Press Ctrl+Shift+U, type bd, then press Space or Enter.
Google Docs: Insert > Special characters, then type “one half fraction” or draw ½. Your operating system shortcut also works inside Docs.
Chromebook
- Chromebook
- Press Ctrl+Shift+U, type bd, press Enter. Or add the US International keyboard in Settings.
- US-International keyboard
- With the US-International layout enabled: AltGr+7.
Google Docs: Insert > Special characters, then type “one half fraction” or draw ½. Your operating system shortcut also works inside Docs.
Codes for developers
Click any value to copy it
- Unicode
- Unicode name
- HTML named entity
- HTML decimal
- HTML hex
- CSS
- JavaScript
- Python
- Java / C# / Kotlin
- URL encoded (UTF-8)
- UTF-8 bytes
Questions about ½
How do I type ½ on Windows?
Hold Alt and type 0189 on the numeric keypad, then release Alt. In Word you can also type 00BD and press Alt+X.
How do I type ½ on a Mac?
Hold the ½ key on your Mac keyboard and pick ½ from the pop-up accent menu, or use the Character Viewer (Control+Command+Space).
How do I type ½ on my phone?
On iPhone and Android, press and hold the 1 key and slide to ½.
What is the HTML code for ½?
Use ½ or the numeric entity ½ (hex ½). In CSS write \BD, in JavaScript \u00BD.