There are three kinds of fraction you can put in a document. Fraction characters such as ½ and ⅓ are single Unicode symbols that work anywhere. Stacked fractions from the equation editor look like textbook math and can hold any numbers. Slash fractions such as 3⁄7 use the special fraction slash so that a font can render them as a fraction. This guide shows how to type all three in Word and Google Docs, plus Excel and PowerPoint.
Quick answer
| Goal | Fastest method |
|---|---|
| ½ ¼ ¾ in Word or Docs | Type 1/2, 1/4 or 3/4 and press Space (AutoCorrect) |
| ½ in any Windows app | Alt+0189 on the numpad (¼ is 0188, ¾ is 0190) |
| ⅓ ⅔ ⅛ and others in Word | Type the code (see table) then Alt + X |
| Any fraction, textbook style | Alt + = then 3/7 then Space |
| Copy | Click any fraction at the top of this page |
AutoCorrect: the automatic ½
Word replaces 1/2, 1/4 and 3/4 with ½ ¼ ¾ when you type a space after them. The setting is under File → Options → Proofing → AutoCorrect Options → AutoFormat As You Type → Fractions (1/2) with fraction character (½). Only those three are built in.
To make Word convert others, add AutoCorrect entries: in the same dialog on the AutoCorrect tab, enter 1/3 in Replace and ⅓ in With, click Add, and repeat for the fractions you use. The entries apply in Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook too.
Google Docs converts the same three by default. Its list is under Tools → Preferences → Substitutions, where you can add 1/3 → ⅓ and others.
Unicode fraction characters
These are single characters, so they survive copy and paste into email subjects, file names, spreadsheets and chat. Copy them from the tiles at the top of the page, or type them:
| Fraction | Windows Alt code | Word Alt+X | HTML |
|---|---|---|---|
| ½ | Alt+0189 | 00BD | ½ |
| ¼ | Alt+0188 | 00BC | ¼ |
| ¾ | Alt+0190 | 00BE | ¾ |
| ⅓ | none | 2153 | ⅓ |
| ⅔ | none | 2154 | ⅔ |
| ⅕ ⅖ ⅗ ⅘ | none | 2155 to 2158 | ⅕ … ⅘ |
| ⅙ ⅚ | none | 2159, 215A | ⅙ ⅚ |
| ⅛ ⅜ ⅝ ⅞ | none | 215B to 215E | ⅛ … ⅞ |
| ⅐ ⅑ ⅒ | none | 2150 to 2152 | ⅐ … |
To use an Alt+X code in Word, type it where the fraction should go and press Alt + X. On a Mac, open the Character Viewer (Control + Command + Space) and search “fraction”. On iPhone and Android, copy the fraction or hold the digit key: some keyboards offer ½ under the 1 key.
The fraction symbols collection has every one of these with one-click copy.
Stacked fractions with the equation editor
For fractions that have no character, or for math that should look like math, use the equation editor.
Word
- Press Alt + = (or Insert → Equation).
- Type the numerator, a slash, the denominator, then a space:
3/7becomes a stacked fraction. - Use parentheses for multi-term parts:
(a+b)/(c-d).
Click the fraction and use the Equation tab to switch between stacked, skewed (3⁄7 diagonal) and linear styles. Equations can sit inline with text or on their own line.
The EQ field (older method)
Word can also build a fraction with a field code: press Ctrl + F9 to insert field braces, type EQ \F(3,7) inside them, and press F9. The result is a stacked fraction that behaves like ordinary text. It survives in older .doc files where the equation editor does not.
Google Docs
- Choose Insert → Equation. An equation toolbar appears.
- Type the numerator,
/, the denominator, and press the right arrow key or Space. Docs stacks it. - Or pick the fraction template from the toolbar’s Math operations menu and fill in the boxes.
Slash fractions with the fraction slash
The fraction slash ⁄ (U+2044) is different from the regular slash. Fonts that support fractions render 3⁄7 as a small diagonal fraction automatically; other fonts show it as plain digits with a slash, which is still readable. In Word, type 2044 and press Alt + X to get the character, or copy it from the top of this page.
Excel and Google Sheets
Spreadsheets store fractions as numbers. Enter 3/7 in a cell and Excel reads it as a date; type 0 3/7 (zero, space, fraction) to keep it as a value, then apply the Fraction number format under Format Cells. For display only, the Unicode characters can be typed or produced by formula, for example =UNICHAR(189) returns ½.
PowerPoint
Alt codes, Alt+X and the equation editor (Insert → Equation) all work as in Word. Because slides are large, the stacked equation style is usually the most readable.
Troubleshooting
- 1/2 does not change to ½. AutoCorrect is off, or the text is in a table cell that Word treats differently. Turn the option on, or type Alt+0189 directly.
- The fraction looks like two separate lines. Stacked equations need enough line height; set the paragraph to single spacing with no fixed line height, or use the skewed style.
- ⅓ shows as a box. The font lacks the glyph. Switch to Segoe UI, Calibri, Arial or Cambria Math.
- Fractions turn into dates in Excel. Type a leading zero and a space (
0 1/2), or format the cell as Text first.
Frequently asked questions
How do I type ½ in Word? +
Type 1/2 followed by a space and Word's AutoCorrect replaces it with ½. If that is off, hold Alt and type 0189 on the numeric keypad, or type 00BD and press Alt + X.
How do I write a fraction like 3/7 that Word does not convert? +
Use the equation editor: press Alt + =, type 3/7 and press Space. Word stacks it as a proper fraction. For a plain-text version, type 3 followed by the fraction slash ⁄ and 7.
What are the Alt codes for fractions? +
Alt+0189 is ½, Alt+0188 is ¼ and Alt+0190 is ¾. Other fractions such as ⅓ and ⅛ have no classic Alt code; use their Alt+X codes 2153 and 215B in Word, or copy them.
How do I type fractions in Google Docs? +
Docs replaces 1/2, 1/4 and 3/4 automatically. For others, use Insert → Special characters and search 'fraction', or Insert → Equation and type the numerator, a slash and the denominator.