HTTA is reader supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more . The plus-minus symbol (±) means “plus or minus.” People use it to show a tolerance , range , or margin of error —for example 10 ± 0.5 , 5 ± 2 , or mean ± standard deviation in statistics. Quick note: ± is not the same thing as typing “+/-” . “+/-” is plain text, while ± is a real math symbol used in textbooks, science, engineering, and professional documents. Table of Contents 1-Minute Answer (Fastest Ways) Windows (Alt code): Hold Alt and type 0177 on the numeric keypad , then release Alt → ± (Alt codes need a numpad—more on that below.) Mac (keyboard shortcut): Press Option + Shift + = → ± Word (fastest): Windows Alt code: Alt + 0177 (numeric keypad) Word code: Type 00B1 then press Alt + X → ± Windows Alt code: Alt + 0177 (numeric keypad) Word code: Type 00B1 then press Alt + X → ± Google Docs: Insert → Special characters → search plus minus → click ± iPhone / Android: It’s not always on the keyboard , so the most reliable method is copy/paste from this page (see the copy section below). Chromebook: Use Google Docs → Insert → Special characters (quickest reliable method). Quick Reference (±) A) How to Type ± on Windows Method 1: Alt Code (Fastest on Windows) Alt code for ± is: 0177 Click where you want to insert ± . Turn Num Lock ON . Type 0177 on the numeric keypad (the number pad on the right side). Release Alt → ± Important: The number row above your letters (1–0) usually will not work for Alt codes. You need a numeric keypad . Laptop tip: Some laptops have a hidden numpad (often via an Fn key). If you don’t have a numpad at all, use Character Map or copy/paste. Method 2: Character Map (Works on any Windows PC) Click Start and search Character Map . Open Character Map . (Optional) Tick Advanced view . Search for plus minus (or scroll until you find ± ). Click ± → click Select → click Copy . Paste it where you need it ( Ctrl + V ). B) How to Type ± on Mac Method 1: Keyboard Shortcut (Fastest) On most Mac keyboards: Press Option + Shift + = → ± Method 2: Character Viewer (Works even if you forget shortcuts) Press Control + Command + Space to open Character Viewer . Search plus minus . Double-click ± to insert it. C) How to Insert ± in Microsoft Word (Windows + Mac) Method 1: Insert Symbol (Works on Windows and Mac) Click Symbol (or Advanced Symbol / More Symbols ). Find ± (it’s commonly under Latin-1 Supplement ). Method 2: Word “00B1” Code (Windows Word) Type 00B1 (zero zero B one). Press Alt + X → it changes into ± Method 3 (Optional): AutoCorrect Shortcut in Word If you type ± often, you can make Word auto-convert +- into ± . Open Word settings/options for AutoCorrect . Add a rule: Replace: +- With: ± (If you want, you can also use something less common like pm or plusminus so it doesn’t change normal typing.) D) How to Use ± in Excel (and Google Sheets) Important note (so you don’t get stuck) In Excel formulas , ± is not an operator . Excel doesn’t treat ± as “plus or minus.” People mainly use ± for display (labels, reports, tolerance notes, measurement values). Best method for spreadsheets: CHAR(177) ± in Excel/Sheets: =CHAR(177) Examples you can use: ="10"&CHAR(177)&"0.5" → shows 10±0.5 =A1&CHAR(177)&B1 → joins values with ± =CHAR(177)&" "&A1 → puts ± before a value Also fine: copy/paste ± from the widget above. E) How to Insert ± in PowerPoint (Alt code on Windows and the Mac shortcut also work inside text boxes.)

F) How to Insert ± in Google Docs Go to Insert → Special characters . In the search box, type plus minus (or paste ± ). Click ± to insert it. G) How to Type ± in Google Sheets Use the same approach as Excel: Quick examples: ="25"&CHAR(177)&"2" =A1&CHAR(177)&B1 Or just copy/paste ± . H) How to Type ± on iPhone and Android On many iPhones, ± is not easy to find on the default keyboard. Most reliable method: copy/paste ± from the widget on this page. Android (Gboard / Samsung Keyboard) Sometimes ± appears by long-pressing a key like + or – , but it depends on your keyboard/app. If you can’t find it: Use copy/paste from the widget above (reliable on every phone). I) How to Type ± on Chromebook Chromebooks vary a lot, so keep it simple: Best reliable method: use Google Docs → Insert → Special characters and search plus minus . Or copy/paste ± from the widget above. Troubleshooting 1) Alt code not working (Windows) Common reasons: Your keyboard doesn’t have a numeric keypad . Num Lock is OFF. You used the top row numbers instead of the numeric keypad. You’re on a laptop with a disabled/hidden numpad. Turn on Num Lock and try again with the numeric keypad . If you don’t have a numpad, use Character Map or copy/paste. 2) Can’t find ± on your phone keyboard That’s normal on many keyboards. Fix: use copy/paste (fastest) or insert it in Docs and paste it where you need. 3) ± doesn’t work in Excel/Sheets formulas That’s expected. ± is not a spreadsheet operator. Fix: use normal math (like =A1+B1 and =A1-B1 ) and use ± only for display , or build it with CHAR(177) . FAQ (Quick Answers) What is the Alt code for ±? Alt + 0177 (using the numeric keypad ). How do I type ± on Mac? Press Option + Shift + = . Or use Character Viewer : Control + Command + Space , then search plus minus . How do I insert ± in Word or Google Docs? Word: Insert → Symbol, or type 00B1 then Alt + X (Windows Word) Google Docs: Insert → Special characters → search plus minus How do I type ± in Excel? Use =CHAR(177) or copy/paste it. Remember: ± is mainly for display , not formulas. What is the Unicode / HTML for ±? Unicode: U+00B1 Windows: Alt + 0177 (numeric keypad) Mac: Option + Shift + = Word (Windows): type 00B1 then Alt + X Google Docs: Insert → Special characters → “plus minus” Excel/Sheets: CHAR(177) for display Mobile/Chromebook: copy/paste is the most reliable Related Math Symbols Multiplication Sign (×) Division Symbol (÷) Square Root Symbol (√) Infinity Symbol (∞) Not Equal To Symbol (≠) Less Than or Equal To Symbol (≤) Greater Than or Equal To Symbol (≥) Approximately Equal To Symbol (≈) Degree Symbol (°) Summation Symbol (∑)