Math
How to type Plus-minus (±)
Copy the character, or use the shortcut that matches your keyboard and app.
Windows
Hold Alt and type 0177 on the numeric keypad.
Mac
Option + Shift + =
Microsoft Word
Type 00B1 then Alt + X
Google Docs
Insert → Special characters → plus-minus
How to insert it
Copy
Click the keycap, then paste with Ctrl+V or Cmd+V.
Alt code
Num Lock on, hold Alt, type 0177, release Alt.
Code
Use the Unicode, HTML, CSS, or JS value below in documents and stylesheets.
- Unicode
U+00B1- HTML decimal
±- HTML hex
±- CSS
\00B1- JavaScript
\u{00B1}- Alt code
Alt + 0177
Related
About the Plus-minus
The Plus-minus (±, U+00B1) means "plus or minus" — used for tolerances (±0.5 mm), margins of error, and approximate values.
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 ± regularly, stop copying it. On Windows, hold Alt and type 0177 on the numeric keypad. On a Mac, press Control+Command+Space to open the Character Viewer and find it instantly. In Word, type b1 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, Square root.
Plus-minus quick reference
| Symbol | ± |
|---|---|
| Name | Plus-minus |
| Unicode | U+00B1 |
| Alt code | Alt + 0177 |
| HTML decimal | ± |
| HTML hex | ± |
| HTML entity | ± |
| CSS | \00B1 |
| JavaScript | \u00B1 |
| URL encoded | %C2%B1 |
Compatibility: Displays correctly on iPhone, Android, Windows and Mac.
How to type ± 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.