Math

How to type One quarter (¼)

Copy the character, or use the shortcut that matches your keyboard and app.

Windows

Hold Alt and type 0188 on the numeric keypad.

Mac

Character Viewer → fraction

Microsoft Word

Type 00BC then Alt + X

Google Docs

Insert → Special characters → quarter

How to insert it

Copy

Click the keycap, then paste with Ctrl+V or Cmd+V.

Alt code

Num Lock on, hold Alt, type 0188, release Alt.

Code

Use the Unicode, HTML, CSS, or JS value below in documents and stylesheets.

Unicode
U+00BC
HTML decimal
¼
HTML hex
¼
CSS
\00BC
JavaScript
\u{00BC}
Alt code
Alt + 0188

Related

About the One quarter

The One quarter (¼, U+00BC) the fraction one quarter as a single character (¼) — handy in recipes and measurements.

Mathematical symbols live or die by precision — a lookalike won't do. These get typed constantly in school documents, spreadsheets, and technical writing, which is why the Alt code and Unicode value in the reference table are worth memorizing.

If you type ¼ regularly, stop copying it. On Windows, hold Alt and type 0188 on the numeric keypad. On a Mac, press Control+Command+Space to open the Character Viewer and find it instantly. In Word, type bc and press Alt+X. The full code list is in the reference table below.

In Unicode it lives in the Latin-1 Supplement block, so it behaves the same everywhere Unicode is supported — which today means virtually every device, app, and browser. Related symbols: Pi, Infinity, Plus-minus.

One quarter quick reference

Symbol¼
NameOne quarter
UnicodeU+00BC
Alt codeAlt + 0188
HTML decimal¼
HTML hex¼
HTML entity¼
CSS\00BC
JavaScript\u00BC
URL encoded%C2%BC

Compatibility: Displays correctly on iPhone, Android, Windows and Mac.

How to type ¼ on your phone

iPhone / iPad

iPhones have no Alt codes. The fastest way is to copy the symbol above and paste it where you need it. To reuse it often, save it as a text replacement: go to Settings → General → Keyboard → Text Replacement, tap +, paste the symbol into Phrase and give it a Shortcut.

Android

On Gboard, tap ?123 then =\< to open the symbols keyboard — many symbols hide under a long-press on related keys. Otherwise just copy the symbol above and paste it; it works in every app.