How to type ± on Windows
The fastest method on a full-size keyboard is the Alt code Alt+0177.
- Make sure Num Lock is on.
- Hold down the Alt key.
- Type 0177 on the numeric keypad (the number row will not work).
- Release Alt. The plus-minus symbol ± appears.
No numeric keypad?
Press Win+. to open the emoji panel, choose the Symbols tab (Ω) and search for "plus-minus". Or open Character Map from the Start menu, find ±, click Select, then Copy.
How to type ± on a Mac
Press Option+Shift+= on the US keyboard layout. Hold the modifier keys and tap the final key once.
For any symbol, the Character Viewer works: press Control+⌘+Space, type "plus-minus" in the search box and double-click the result. It will be remembered under Frequently Used.
How to type ± on iPhone and iPad
The iOS keyboard does not include ±, so the reliable way is to copy it from this page, then press and hold in any text field and tap Paste.
If you use it often, create a shortcut: open Settings → General → Keyboard → Text Replacement, paste ± in the Phrase field and type a short code such as ;plus in the Shortcut field. Typing that code will then insert ± anywhere.
How to type ± on Android
Copy the symbol from this page, then long-press in a text field and choose Paste. Gboard also keeps a clipboard history: tap the clipboard icon on the toolbar to paste it again later.
For a permanent shortcut, open Gboard settings → Dictionary → Personal dictionary, add ± as the word and a short code as the shortcut.
How to type ± in Microsoft Word
- Type the Unicode hex code 00B1 where you want the symbol.
- Press Alt+X. Word converts the code into ±.
This works on Windows in Word, Outlook and OneNote and needs no numeric keypad. You can also go to Insert → Symbol → More Symbols, set the font to a Unicode font and type 00B1 in the Character code box. In Excel, the formula =UNICHAR(177) returns the symbol.
How to type ± in Google Docs
Open Insert → Special characters, then either search for "plus-minus" or draw the symbol in the sketch box. Click the result to insert it. In Google Sheets, use =CHAR(177).
± in HTML, CSS and code
| Format | Code |
|---|---|
| HTML entity | ± |
| HTML decimal | ± |
| HTML hex | ± |
CSS content | "\00B1" |
| JavaScript | "\u00B1" |
| Python | "\u00B1" |
| LaTeX | \pm |
| URL encoded | %C2%B1 |
Because ± is a standard Unicode character (U+00B1), you can also paste it directly into any UTF-8 file. The escaped forms above are only needed when the file encoding is uncertain or the symbol must be entered on a keyboard without it.
Where the plus-minus symbol is used
It appears in scientific and statistical results to show margin of error, such as "98.6°F ± 0.5°F" or "20 ± 2 mm". It's also used in math to show two possible solutions, like "x = 5 ± 3". Don't confuse it with the division sign (÷).
Frequently asked questions
What does ± mean in math? +
It means a value can be either added or subtracted, giving two possible results, such as in the quadratic formula.
What does ± mean in statistics or measurements? +
It indicates a margin of error or uncertainty range around a reported value, showing how much the true value might vary.
What is the Alt code for the plus-minus symbol? +
The Alt code for ± is Alt+0177. Hold Alt, type 0177 on the numeric keypad, then release Alt.
How do I type ± on a Mac? +
Press Option+Shift+= on a Mac with the US keyboard layout. You can also open the Character Viewer with Control + Command + Space and search for "plus-minus".
How do I type the plus-minus symbol on iPhone or Android? +
Phone keyboards do not include ± by default. Copy it from this page and paste it, or add it as a text replacement shortcut in Settings so you can type it with a short abbreviation.
What is the HTML code for ±? +
Use ± in HTML. The numeric form ± works too. In CSS use content: "\00B1" and in JavaScript use "\u00B1".