How to type σ on Windows
The fastest method on a full-size keyboard is the Alt code Alt+229.
- Make sure Num Lock is on.
- Hold down the Alt key.
- Type 229 on the numeric keypad (the number row will not work).
- Release Alt. The sigma symbol (lowercase) symbol σ appears.
No numeric keypad?
Press Win+. to open the emoji panel, choose the Symbols tab (Ω) and search for "sigma symbol (lowercase)". Or open Character Map from the Start menu, find σ, click Select, then Copy.
How to type σ on a Mac
There is no direct keyboard shortcut for σ on a Mac.
For any symbol, the Character Viewer works: press Control+⌘+Space, type "sigma symbol (lowercase)" in the search box and double-click the result. It will be remembered under Frequently Used.
How to type σ on iPhone and iPad
The iOS keyboard does not include σ, 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 σ in the Phrase field and type a short code such as ;sigma in the Shortcut field. Typing that code will then insert σ anywhere.
How to type σ 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 σ as the word and a short code as the shortcut.
How to type σ in Microsoft Word
- Type the Unicode hex code 03C3 where you want the symbol.
- Press Alt+X. Word converts the code into σ.
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 03C3 in the Character code box. In Excel, the formula =UNICHAR(963) returns the symbol.
How to type σ in Google Docs
Open Insert → Special characters, then either search for "sigma symbol (lowercase)" or draw the symbol in the sketch box. Click the result to insert it. In Google Sheets, use =CHAR(963).
σ in HTML, CSS and code
| Format | Code |
|---|---|
| HTML entity | σ |
| HTML decimal | σ |
| HTML hex | σ |
CSS content | "\03C3" |
| JavaScript | "\u03C3" |
| Python | "\u03C3" |
| LaTeX | \sigma |
| URL encoded | %CF%83 |
Because σ is a standard Unicode character (U+03C3), 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 sigma symbol (lowercase) symbol is used
In statistics, σ stands for standard deviation, as in "σ = 2.5". In physics and engineering, it can represent stress or conductivity, for example "σ = 30 MPa". It's often confused with the final form of sigma, ς, used only at the end of Greek words, and with uppercase Σ, which means summation.
Frequently asked questions
What does σ mean in statistics? +
It represents the standard deviation of a population, showing how spread out data values are from the mean.
What is the difference between σ and Σ? +
Lowercase σ is a variable, often standard deviation or stress, while uppercase Σ denotes summation, adding a series of terms.
What is the Alt code for the sigma symbol (lowercase) symbol? +
The Alt code for σ is Alt+229. Hold Alt, type 229 on the numeric keypad, then release Alt.
How do I type σ on a Mac? +
There is no dedicated Mac shortcut for σ. Open the Character Viewer with Control + Command + Space, search for "sigma symbol (lowercase)", and double-click it. Or copy it from this page.
How do I type the sigma symbol (lowercase) symbol on iPhone or Android? +
Phone keyboards do not include σ 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 σ? +
Use σ in HTML. The numeric form σ works too. In CSS use content: "\03C3" and in JavaScript use "\u03C3".