± plus-minus sign
U+00B1 · PLUS-MINUS SIGN
How to type ±
Shortcuts verified against Microsoft, Apple and X.Org documentation.
Windows
- Alt code
- Hold Alt, type Alt+0177 on the numeric keypad, release Alt.
- Alt code
- The short code Alt+241 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 00B1 then press Alt+X. The code turns into ±.
- Character Map
- Open Character Map (search “charmap” in the Start menu), find ±, click Select then Copy.
Google Docs: Insert > Special characters, then type “plus-minus sign” or draw ±. Your operating system shortcut also works inside Docs.
Mac
- Option key
- Press Shift+Option+=.
- ABC Extended input source
- Switch to ABC Extended (System Settings > Keyboard > Input Sources) and press Shift+Option+=.
- Unicode Hex Input
- Switch to Unicode Hex Input, hold Option and type 00B1.
- Character Viewer
- Press Control+Command+Space, search “plus-minus sign” and double-click ±.
Google Docs: Insert > Special characters, then type “plus-minus sign” or draw ±. Your operating system shortcut also works inside Docs.
iPhone and iPad
- iPhone keyboard
- ± is not in the English keyboard pop-up on iPhone.
- Or just copy it
- Tap ± at the top of this page and paste it anywhere.
Google Docs: Insert > Special characters, then type “plus-minus sign” or draw ±. Your operating system shortcut also works inside Docs.
Android
- Android keyboard (Gboard)
- Touch and hold the + key, slide to ±, release.
- Or just copy it
- Tap ± at the top of this page and paste it anywhere.
Google Docs: Insert > Special characters, then type “plus-minus sign” or draw ±. Your operating system shortcut also works inside Docs.
Linux
- Compose key
- Press Compose + - (enable the Compose key in your keyboard settings first).
- Unicode entry (GTK apps and Chromebook)
- Press Ctrl+Shift+U, type b1, then press Space or Enter.
Google Docs: Insert > Special characters, then type “plus-minus sign” or draw ±. Your operating system shortcut also works inside Docs.
Chromebook
- Chromebook
- Press Ctrl+Shift+U, type b1, press Enter. Or add the US International keyboard in Settings.
Google Docs: Insert > Special characters, then type “plus-minus sign” or draw ±. 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 ±
How do I type ± on Windows?
Hold Alt and type 0177 on the numeric keypad, then release Alt. In Word you can also type 00B1 and press Alt+X.
How do I type ± on a Mac?
Press Shift+Option+=. You can also hold the ± key and pick ± from the accent menu.
How do I type ± on my phone?
On iPhone and Android, press and hold the + key and slide to ±.
What is the HTML code for ±?
Use ± or the numeric entity ± (hex ±). In CSS write \B1, in JavaScript \u00B1.