How to Type the Alpha Symbol α on Keyboard

The alpha symbol looks like this: α.

Alpha is the first letter of the Greek alphabet. It is used in mathematics, science, statistics, physics, engineering, finance, chemistry, and many other fields.

You may see it in formulas, equations, academic papers, scientific reports, research work, and technical documents.

This guide will show you how to type the alpha symbol on Windows, Mac, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Google Docs, Google Sheets, iPhone, Android, Chromebook, HTML, and web pages.

You can copy and paste the alpha symbol from this page, or you can use the keyboard shortcuts and symbol tools explained below.

Table of Contents

Quick Answer: How to Type the Alpha Symbol

The fastest way to type the alpha symbol depends on your device or app.

Device or App	Shortcut or Method	Result
Windows	Hold Alt and type 224 on the numeric keypad	α
Microsoft Word	Type 03B1, then press Alt + X	α
Mac	Use Character Viewer or copy and paste	α
Google Docs	Go to Insert > Special characters and search for alpha	α
HTML	Use `α` or `α`	α
Unicode	U+03B1	α

Copy the Alpha Symbol

Click any Greek letter or code below to copy it, then paste it into Word, Excel, Google Docs, your website, or any other app.

Alpha symbols

Related Greek letters

Web codes for alpha

To copy manually:

Highlight the alpha symbol: α
Press Ctrl + C on Windows or Command + C on Mac.
Click where you want to insert it.
Press Ctrl + V on Windows or Command + V on Mac.

What Is the Alpha Symbol?

The alpha symbol is a Greek letter.

The lowercase alpha symbol is: α

The uppercase alpha symbol is: Α

Alpha is the first letter of the Greek alphabet. It comes before beta.

In English, alpha is often written as the word alpha, but in formulas, equations, and scientific writing, the Greek symbol α is commonly used.

You may see alpha in:

Mathematics
Physics
Statistics
Chemistry
Biology
Engineering
Finance
Academic writing
Software testing

For example:

α = 0.05

or:

α angle

or:

Alpha version

Alpha Symbol Quick Reference

Item	Lowercase Alpha	Uppercase Alpha
Symbol	α	Α
Name	Greek small letter alpha	Greek capital letter alpha
Unicode	U+03B1	U+0391
Word Unicode Shortcut	03B1, then Alt + X	0391, then Alt + X
Windows Alt Code	Alt + 224	Alt + 913 may work in some Unicode-supported apps
HTML Entity	`α`	`Α`
HTML Decimal Code	`α`	`Α`
HTML Hex Code	`α`	`Α`

Important: The uppercase Greek alpha Α looks exactly like the Latin capital letter A in many fonts. They are different characters, but they can look the same on screen.

Method 1: Type the Alpha Symbol on Windows Using Alt Code

On Windows, you can type the lowercase alpha symbol using an Alt code.

The common Alt code for lowercase alpha is:

Alt + 224

This can work in many Windows apps, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Notepad, and some text boxes.

Steps to type α on Windows

Click where you want to insert the alpha symbol.
Turn on Num Lock.
Hold down the Alt key.
While holding Alt, type 224 using the numeric keypad.
Release the Alt key.

You should get:

Important note about Alt codes

Alt codes usually require the numeric keypad on the right side of the keyboard.

The number row above the letters may not work.

So this should work:

Alt + 224 using the numeric keypad

But this may not work:

Alt + 224 using the top number row

What if my laptop has no numeric keypad?

If your laptop does not have a numeric keypad, use one of these methods instead:

Copy and paste α
Use Microsoft Word’s Unicode shortcut: 03B1, then Alt + X
Use Insert Symbol in Word, Excel, or PowerPoint
Use Windows Character Map
Use Google Docs Special characters

Method 2: Type the Alpha Symbol in Microsoft Word

Microsoft Word gives you several reliable ways to insert the alpha symbol.

The best methods are:

Use the Unicode shortcut: 03B1, then Alt + X
Use Insert > Symbol
Use the Equation tool
Use the Windows Alt code
Copy and paste the symbol

Option A: Use the Word Unicode Shortcut

This is one of the best ways to type the alpha symbol in Microsoft Word on Windows.

The Unicode for lowercase alpha is: 03B1

Steps

Open Microsoft Word.
Click where you want the alpha symbol.
Type 03B1.
Press Alt + X.

Word will convert 03B1 into:

For uppercase alpha

The Unicode for uppercase alpha is: 0391

To type uppercase alpha in Word:

Type 0391.
Press Alt + X.

You should get:

Remember, uppercase alpha may look like a normal capital A, but it is a different Unicode character.

Option B: Use Insert Symbol in Word

You can also insert alpha from Word’s Symbol menu.

Steps

Open Microsoft Word.
Click where you want the alpha symbol.
Go to the Insert tab.
Click Symbol.
Click More Symbols if needed.
In the font box, choose normal text or a common font.
In the subset box, choose Greek and Coptic.
Find and select α.
Click Insert.
Click Close.

This method is good if you do not want to remember any code.

Tip: After you insert alpha once, Word may show it under recently used symbols, making it easier to insert again later.

Option C: Use the Equation Tool in Word

If you are writing a formula, the Equation tool may be the best option.

Steps

Open Microsoft Word.
Go to the Insert tab.
Click Equation.
Type \alpha inside the equation box.
Press Space.

Word should convert it into: α

This method is especially useful when alpha is part of a mathematical equation.

Example

Type this inside a Word equation:

\alpha

Then press Space.

You get: α

Option D: Use Alt + 224 in Word

You can also use the Windows Alt code inside Word.

Click where you want the alpha symbol.
Turn on Num Lock.
Hold Alt.
Type 224 on the numeric keypad.
Release Alt.

You should get: α

Method 3: Type the Alpha Symbol in Excel

You can insert the alpha symbol in Excel using several methods.

The easiest options are:

Copy and paste α
Use Alt + 224 on Windows
Use Insert > Symbol
Use the UNICHAR function in formulas

Option A: Use Alt Code in Excel on Windows

Click the cell where you want the alpha symbol.
Turn on Num Lock.
Hold Alt.
Type 224 on the numeric keypad.
Release Alt.

The alpha symbol should appear in the cell: α

Option B: Use Insert Symbol in Excel

Click the cell where you want the alpha symbol.
Go to the Insert tab.
Click Symbol.
In the subset box, choose Greek and Coptic.
Select α.
Click Insert.
Close the Symbol window.

This is a reliable method if the Alt code does not work.

Option C: Use the UNICHAR Function in Excel

In Excel, you can also use the UNICHAR function.

The Unicode decimal number for lowercase alpha is: 945

So you can type this formula into a cell:

=UNICHAR(945)

This returns: α

For uppercase alpha, use:

=UNICHAR(913)

This returns: Α

This method is useful if you want Excel to generate the symbol as part of a formula.

Option D: Add Alpha After Text in Excel

If you want to add alpha after text in a cell, you can simply type or paste it.

Example:

Alpha value: α

To add it to existing text:

Double-click the cell, or select the cell and press F2.
Move your cursor to where you want the symbol.
Insert alpha using Alt code, Insert Symbol, UNICHAR, or copy/paste.
Press Enter.

Method 4: Type the Alpha Symbol in PowerPoint

PowerPoint supports the same basic methods as Word and Excel.

You can use:

Alt + 224 on Windows
Insert > Symbol
Copy and paste
Equation tool, if you are creating a formula

Use Alt Code in PowerPoint on Windows

Click inside a text box.
Turn on Num Lock.
Hold Alt.
Type 224 on the numeric keypad.
Release Alt.

You should get: α

Use Insert Symbol in PowerPoint

Click inside your text box.
Go to Insert.
Click Symbol.
Choose Greek and Coptic from the subset list.
Select α.
Click Insert.

Use Equation in PowerPoint

If you are writing a formula:

Go to Insert.
Click Equation.
Type \alpha.
Press Space.

PowerPoint should convert it into: α

Method 5: Type the Alpha Symbol on Mac

Mac does not have a simple universal keyboard shortcut for alpha like it does for some common symbols.

The easiest methods on Mac are:

Copy and paste α
Use Character Viewer
Use the Equation tool in Word or PowerPoint
Use a text replacement shortcut

Option A: Copy and Paste on Mac

Copy this symbol: α

Then paste it where you need it using:

Command + V

Option B: Use Character Viewer on Mac

Mac has a built-in Character Viewer that lets you search for Greek letters and symbols.

Steps

Click where you want the alpha symbol.
Press Control + Command + Space.
The Character Viewer will open.
Search for alpha.
Double-click α to insert it.

You can also search for Greek and browse the Greek letters.

Option C: Create a Text Replacement Shortcut on Mac

If you type alpha often, you can create a shortcut.

For example:

alphax → α

Steps

Open System Settings.
Go to Keyboard.
Find Text Replacements.
Add a new replacement.
In the shortcut field, type alphax.
In the replacement field, paste α.
Save it.

Now, when you type alphax, your Mac can replace it with α.

Use a shortcut that you do not normally type by accident.

Method 6: Type the Alpha Symbol in Google Docs

Google Docs makes it easy to insert the alpha symbol using Special characters.

Option A: Use Insert Special Characters

Open Google Docs.
Click where you want the alpha symbol.
Go to Insert.
Click Special characters.
In the search box, type alpha.
Click the α symbol.

Google Docs will insert alpha into your document.

Option B: Draw the Symbol in Google Docs

Google Docs also allows you to draw a symbol in the Special characters window.

Go to Insert > Special characters.
Use the drawing box on the right side.
Draw a shape similar to α.
Choose the alpha symbol from the results.

This is useful if you know what the symbol looks like but do not know its name.

Option C: Copy and Paste in Google Docs

Copy this symbol: α

Then paste it into Google Docs using:

Ctrl + V on Windows

or:

Command + V on Mac

Option D: Create an Alpha Shortcut in Google Docs

If you type alpha often, you can create a substitution.

For example:

alphax → α

Steps

Open Google Docs.
Go to Tools.
Click Preferences.
Go to Substitutions.
Add your shortcut in the left box, such as alphax.
Paste α in the right box.
Click OK.

Now Google Docs can replace your shortcut with the alpha symbol.

Method 7: Type the Alpha Symbol in Google Sheets

Google Sheets does not have the same Special characters menu as Google Docs in the same way, so the easiest method is usually copy and paste.

Copy and paste method

Copy this symbol: α
Open Google Sheets.
Click the cell where you want it.
Press Ctrl + V or Command + V.

Use Alt Code on Windows

If you are using Google Sheets on Windows:

Click the cell.
Hold Alt.
Type 224 on the numeric keypad.
Release Alt.

You should get: α

Use UNICHAR in Google Sheets

Google Sheets supports the UNICHAR function.

To return lowercase alpha, type:

=UNICHAR(945)

To return uppercase alpha, type:

=UNICHAR(913)

Method 8: Use Windows Character Map

Character Map is a built-in Windows tool that lets you copy symbols and special characters.

Steps

Click the Windows search box.
Type Character Map.
Open the Character Map app.
Choose a common font, such as Arial or Times New Roman.
Look for α.
Click the symbol.
Click Select.
Click Copy.
Paste it into your document.

This method is useful if Alt codes are not working.

Method 9: Use Windows Emoji and Symbols Panel

You can also try the Windows emoji and symbols panel.

Steps

Click where you want to insert alpha.
Press Windows key + .You can also try Windows key + ;.
Go to the symbols section.
Look for Greek letters, if available.
Select α.

If you cannot find alpha there, use Character Map or copy and paste instead.

Method 10: Type the Alpha Symbol on iPhone and iPad

The easiest way to type alpha on iPhone or iPad is to copy and paste it.

Copy this: α

Then paste it into your message, note, document, or browser.

Create a Text Replacement Shortcut on iPhone

If you use alpha often, create a text replacement.

For example:

alphax → α

Steps

Open Settings.
Tap General.
Tap Keyboard.
Tap Text Replacement.
Tap the + button.
In the Phrase box, paste α.
In the Shortcut box, type alphax.
Tap Save.

Now, when you type alphax, your iPhone can suggest or insert α.

Method 11: Type the Alpha Symbol on Android

On Android, the exact method depends on your keyboard app.

The easiest method is copy and paste.

Copy this: α

Then paste it where you need it.

Try the symbols keyboard

Some Android keyboards include Greek letters in their symbol sections.

Try this:

Open your keyboard.
Tap the ?123 or symbols key.
Look for more symbol pages.
If you see α, tap it.

If you cannot find it, copy and paste is usually faster.

Create a personal dictionary shortcut

Some Android keyboards allow custom shortcuts.

You can create:

alphax → α

The exact steps depend on your Android phone and keyboard app.

Method 12: Type the Alpha Symbol on Chromebook

On Chromebook, the fastest method is usually copy and paste.

Copy this:

Then paste it into your document or text box.

If you are using Google Docs on Chromebook, you can use:

Insert > Special characters > search alpha

Then click the alpha symbol.

Method 13: Type the Alpha Symbol in HTML

If you are writing HTML, you can use the alpha symbol directly, or you can use an HTML entity.

Lowercase alpha

Use:

α

Example:

&alpha; = 0.05

Result:

α = 0.05

Uppercase alpha

Use:

Α

Example:

&Alpha;

Result: Α

Decimal HTML code

Lowercase alpha:

&#945;

Uppercase alpha:

&#913;

Hex HTML code

Lowercase alpha:

&#x03B1;

Uppercase alpha:

&#x0391;

Method 14: Type the Alpha Symbol in CSS

If you are adding alpha with CSS, you can use the Unicode escape.

Lowercase alpha:

.example::after {
  content: "\03B1";
}

Uppercase alpha:

.example::after {
  content: "\0391";
}

For normal writing, it is usually better to type or paste the symbol directly in your text or use HTML.

Method 15: Type the Alpha Symbol in JavaScript

In JavaScript, you can use the symbol directly:

const alpha = "α";

Or you can use the Unicode escape:

const alpha = "\u03B1";

For uppercase alpha:

const uppercaseAlpha = "\u0391";

Method 16: Type Alpha in LaTeX

If you are writing in LaTeX, use:

\alpha

This gives:

For uppercase alpha, LaTeX usually uses the normal capital letter A, because uppercase alpha looks like the Latin capital A in many fonts.

Example:

\alpha = 0.05

Lowercase Alpha α vs Uppercase Alpha Α

There are two alpha characters:

Symbol	Name	Unicode
α	Greek small letter alpha	U+03B1
Α	Greek capital letter alpha	U+0391

The lowercase alpha α is the one most people are looking for.

The uppercase alpha Α looks like the English capital letter A in many fonts.

That means these two may look the same:

A and Α

But they are not the same character.

A is the Latin capital letter A.
Α is the Greek capital letter alpha.

For most normal documents, if you need uppercase alpha and appearance is all that matters, a normal capital A may look the same. But in technical, scientific, coding, or Unicode-sensitive work, use the real Greek uppercase alpha Α.

Common Uses of the Alpha Symbol

The alpha symbol is used in many fields.

In mathematics

Alpha can be used as a variable in equations and formulas.

Example:

α = x + 2

In statistics

Alpha often refers to a significance level, such as α = 0.05.

Example:

α = 0.05

In physics

Alpha can be used in formulas, particle names, and scientific notation.

Example:

α particle

In chemistry and biology

Alpha can appear in scientific names, chemical descriptions, and classifications.

Example:

α-glucose

In finance

Alpha can refer to extra return or performance compared to a benchmark.

Example:

Portfolio alpha

In software

Alpha can mean an early test version of software before beta.

Example:

Alpha version

Alpha Symbol and Related Greek Letters

If you are typing alpha, you may also need other Greek letters.

Symbol	Name	Unicode
α	Alpha	U+03B1
β	Beta	U+03B2
γ	Gamma	U+03B3
δ	Delta	U+03B4
θ	Theta	U+03B8
λ	Lambda	U+03BB
μ	Mu	U+03BC
π	Pi	U+03C0
σ	Sigma	U+03C3
Ω	Omega	U+03A9

Troubleshooting: Alpha Symbol Not Working

If you cannot type the alpha symbol, here are the common problems and fixes.

Problem 1: Alt + 224 is not working

This usually happens because the numeric keypad is not being used.

Fix

Use the numeric keypad on the right side of the keyboard, and make sure Num Lock is turned on.

If your laptop does not have a numeric keypad, use:

Copy and paste α
Word Unicode shortcut: 03B1, then Alt + X
Insert Symbol
Character Map
Google Docs Special characters

Problem 2: I typed 03B1 but it did not change into α

The 03B1 + Alt + X method works mainly in Microsoft Word on Windows.

It may not work in every app.

Fix

Use it inside Microsoft Word, or use copy and paste in other apps.

Problem 3: Uppercase alpha looks like A

This is normal.

The uppercase alpha symbol Α often looks like the English capital letter A.

They are different Unicode characters, but many fonts display them almost the same way.

Problem 4: Alpha appears as a box or strange character

This usually means the font or app does not support the character properly.

Fix

Try changing the font to a common font such as:

Arial
Calibri
Times New Roman
Cambria
Helvetica
Verdana

Problem 5: I need alpha in an equation, not normal text

If you are writing a formula in Word or PowerPoint, use the Equation tool.

Inside the equation box, type:

\alpha

Then press Space.

This gives a better math-style alpha symbol.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Alpha Symbol

What is the alpha symbol?

The alpha symbol is the first letter of the Greek alphabet. The lowercase alpha is α, and the uppercase alpha is Α.

How do I type alpha on Windows?

On Windows, hold Alt and type 224 using the numeric keypad, then release Alt.

This should give you: α

What is the Alt code for alpha?

The common Windows Alt code for lowercase alpha is:

Alt + 224

For Microsoft Word, you can also type 03B1 and press Alt + X.

What is the Unicode for alpha?

The Unicode for lowercase alpha is:

U+03B1

The Unicode for uppercase alpha is:

U+0391

How do I type alpha in Microsoft Word?

In Microsoft Word on Windows, type:

03B1

Then press:

Alt + X

Word will convert it into: α

You can also use Insert > Symbol or the Equation tool.

How do I type alpha in Excel?

In Excel, you can use Alt + 224 on Windows, use Insert > Symbol, or type this formula:

=UNICHAR(945)

This returns: α

How do I type alpha in Google Docs?

In Google Docs:

Go to Insert.
Click Special characters.
Search for alpha.
Click α.

How do I type alpha on Mac?

On Mac, use Character Viewer:

Press Control + Command + Space.
Search for alpha.
Double-click α.

You can also copy and paste the alpha symbol from this page.

How do I type alpha on iPhone?

The easiest way is to copy and paste: α

If you use it often, create a text replacement shortcut such as:

alphax → α

How do I type alpha on Android?

The easiest way is to copy and paste: α

Some Android keyboards may also include alpha under their symbols or Greek letters section.

What is the HTML code for alpha?

For lowercase alpha, use:

α

You can also use:

α

or:

α

Is alpha the same as the letter A?

No.

The lowercase alpha α is clearly different from the English letter a.

The uppercase alpha Α may look like the English capital A, but it is still a different Unicode character.

Best Method to Use

If you only need the alpha symbol once, copy and paste it:

If you are using Windows with a numeric keypad, use:

Alt + 224

If you are using Microsoft Word, use:

03B1, then Alt + X

If you are using Google Docs, use:

Insert > Special characters > search alpha

If you use alpha often, create a text replacement shortcut such as:

alphax → α

Conclusion

The alpha symbol α is useful in math, science, statistics, finance, software, and many other fields.

The easiest way to type it depends on where you are working:

Windows: Alt + 224
Microsoft Word: 03B1, then Alt + X
Excel: Alt + 224, Insert Symbol, or =UNICHAR(945)
Google Docs: Insert > Special characters > search alpha
Mac: Character Viewer or copy/paste
HTML: α
Any device: copy and paste α

If you do not want to remember any shortcut, simply copy the alpha symbol from this page and paste it where you need it.