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Fraction Symbols in Word Keyboard Guide (½ ¼ ¾ ⅓ ⅝ and more)

Fraction symbols are the “single-character” versions of common fractions, like ½ instead of typing 1/2.

Use fraction symbols when you want clean, polished text (recipes, instructions, product specs, or short notes).

Use 1/2 style when you need an uncommon fraction (like 7/16) or when the exact fraction symbol doesn’t exist.

This guide shows the easiest ways to type and insert fraction symbols in Microsoft Word (Windows + Mac), plus quick tips for Excel, PowerPoint, Google Docs/Sheets, and phones.

1-Minute Answer (fastest ways)

Word (Windows)

Fastest: Type 1/2 then press Space → Word may turn it into ½ automatically.
If it doesn’t: Insert → Symbol → More Symbols and pick the fraction.

Word (Mac)

Fastest: Use Character Viewer: Edit → Emoji & Symbols (then search “fraction”).
Or: Insert → Symbol and pick the fraction.

Copy/paste (works anywhere)

Here are the most common ones: ½ ¼ ¾ ⅓ ⅔ ⅛ ⅜ ⅝ ⅞

Fraction Symbols
Click a fraction to copy, then paste into Word.
Copies the symbol (e.g., ½) Works in Word, Docs, Excel, PowerPoint, and more

Quick Reference (common fraction symbols)

Most common fraction symbols: ½ ¼ ¾ ⅓ ⅔ ⅛ ⅜ ⅝ ⅞

FractionSymbolQuick way in Word
one half½Type 1/2 + Space (often) / Insert Symbol
one quarter¼Type 1/4 + Space (often) / Insert Symbol
three quarters¾Type 3/4 + Space (often) / Insert Symbol
one third⅓Insert Symbol / (Windows) Unicode + Alt+X
two thirds⅔Insert Symbol / (Windows) Unicode + Alt+X
one eighth⅛Insert Symbol / (Windows) Unicode + Alt+X
three eighths⅜Insert Symbol / (Windows) Unicode + Alt+X
five eighths⅝Insert Symbol / (Windows) Unicode + Alt+X
seven eighths⅞Insert Symbol / (Windows) Unicode + Alt+X

    How to type fraction symbols in Word (Windows + Mac)

    Method 1: Type 1/2 and let Word convert it (AutoFormat)

    This is the quickest method, but it usually works only for the most common fractions (like ½ ¼ ¾).

    Steps (Word Windows or Mac):

    1. Click where you want the fraction.
    2. Type the fraction like 1/2 (with a forward slash).
    3. Press Space.
    4. If Word supports that fraction automatically, it converts to ½.

    Tip: If it converts and you don’t want it to, press Ctrl+Z (Windows) or Command+Z (Mac) to undo.

    Method 2: Insert a fraction symbol using Insert → Symbol

    This works on Windows and Mac, and it’s the best “reliable” method for common fraction symbols like ⅓, ⅝, ⅞.

    Word (Windows) steps

    1. Click where you want the fraction.
    2. Go to Insert tab.
    3. Click Symbol → More Symbols…
    4. Find the Subset dropdown and choose Number Forms (or similar).
    5. Click the fraction symbol you want (like ⅓).
    6. Click Insert → then Close.
    Insert fraction symbol in Word

    Word (Mac) steps

    1. Click where you want the fraction.
    2. Go to Insert → Symbol (or Advanced Symbol).
    3. Look for a category/subset like Number Forms.
    4. Click the fraction symbol → Insert.

    If you can’t find the fraction:
    Try changing the Font in the Symbol window (some fonts show more symbols than others). If it’s still missing, use Equation (Method 4).

    Method 3: Unicode + Alt+X (Word Windows only)

    This is powerful because you can type a Unicode code, then convert it into the fraction symbol.

    How it works:

    1. In Word, type the Unicode (example: 00BD)
    2. Press Alt + X
    3. Word converts it to the symbol (example: ½)

    Examples you can use:

    • ½ → type 00BD then Alt+X
    • ¼ → type 00BC then Alt+X
    • ¾ → type 00BE then Alt+X
    • ⅓ → type 2153 then Alt+X
    • ⅞ → type 215E then Alt+X

    Undo tip: Press Alt+X again to flip it back to the code.

    Method 4: Use the Equation tool to make ANY fraction (best for “any fraction”)

    Use this when you need fractions like 7/16, or when you want proper math formatting (works great for worksheets, exams, and formal documents).

    Steps (Word Windows + Mac):

    1. Click where you want the fraction.
    2. Go to Insert → Equation.
      • (On Windows, Alt + = often opens Equation quickly.)insert fraction in Word using equation tool
    3. You’ll see an equation box.
    4. In the Equation tab/ribbon, choose Fraction.Make fraction symbol in WordHow to type fraction symbol on keyboard
    5. Pick a fraction style (stacked is most common).
    6. Click the top box and type the numerator (example: 7)
    7. Click the bottom box and type the denominator (example: 16)
    8. Click outside the equation to finish.
    Illustration of typing the fraction symbol in Word

    When to use Equation vs a normal text fraction symbol:

    • Use Equation for math-heavy documents and “any fraction.”
    • Use text fraction symbols (½, ⅓, ⅝) for normal sentences.

    Method 5: Create your own AutoCorrect shortcut (power tip)

    If you type a certain fraction a lot, you can make Word replace your shortcut text with the fraction symbol automatically.

    Example goal: Make (1/8) turn into ⅛

    Steps (Word Windows):

    1. Go to File → Options → Proofing
    2. Click AutoCorrect Options…
    3. In “Replace”, type: (1/8)
    4. In “With”, paste: ⅛
    5. Click Add (or OK)

    Steps (Word Mac):

    1. Go to Word → Preferences (or Settings)
    2. Open AutoCorrect
    3. Add a new replacement:
      • Replace: (1/8)
      • With: ⅛
    4. Save/OK

    Fractions in other apps (quick help)

    Fractions in Excel

    To insert fraction symbols (like ½, ⅝):

    • Copy/paste them, or use Insert → Symbol (same idea as Word).
    • You can also use a formula (useful in some sheets):
      • =UNICHAR(189) → ½
      • =UNICHAR(188) → ¼
      • =UNICHAR(190) → ¾
      • =UNICHAR(8531) → ⅓

    To show numbers as fractions (like 0.5 → 1/2):

    1. Select the cells
    2. Go to Format Cells (Number format)
    3. Choose Fraction
    4. Pick the style you want (one digit, two digits, etc.)

    (Note: number formatting shows a fraction “style,” but it’s not the same as inserting a single fraction symbol.)

    Fractions in PowerPoint

    • Use Insert → Symbol to insert fraction symbols into text boxes.
    • Or copy/paste ½ ¼ ¾ ⅓ ⅝ directly.

    Fractions in Google Docs

    1. Go to Insert → Special characters
    2. In the search box, type fraction
    3. Click the fraction symbol you want to insert
      Or copy/paste from this page.

    Fractions in Google Sheets

    • To display numbers as fractions: Format → Number → Fraction
    • To insert a fraction symbol character: copy/paste (or use Unicode symbols you already have)

    iPhone + Android (quick)

    • Easiest: copy/paste common fractions like ½ ¼ ¾ ⅓ ⅔ ⅛
    • Phone keyboards usually do not include lots of dedicated fraction symbols.
    • If you need 7/16, it’s usually best to type it as 7/16.

    Troubleshooting

    Word didn’t convert 1/2 into ½

    This is usually an AutoFormat setting.

    Windows (Word):

    1. Go to File → Options
    2. Click Proofing
    3. Click AutoCorrect Options…
    4. Open AutoFormat As You Type
    5. Turn on: “Fractions (1/2) with fraction character”
    6. Click OK

    Mac (Word):

    1. Go to Word → Preferences (or Settings)
    2. Open AutoCorrect
    3. Find AutoFormat As You Type
    4. Turn on: “Fractions (1/2) with fraction character”

    Word converted the wrong thing

    • Press Ctrl+Z (Windows) or Command+Z (Mac) to undo.
    • If you never want conversion, turn off the fractions AutoFormat setting (steps above).

    The fraction symbol is missing (or shows as a box)

    • Try a more common font (like Calibri, Arial, Times New Roman).
    • If it still looks wrong, use Equation formatting instead.

    I need a fraction that doesn’t exist as one symbol (like 7/16)

    That’s normal—many fractions do not have a single dedicated symbol. Use:

    • Equation tool (best formatting), or
    • Type it normally: 7/16

    FAQ

    How do I type ½ in Word?

    • Type 1/2 then press Space (if AutoFormat is on), or
    • Use Insert → Symbol → More Symbols and choose ½, or
    • On Windows Word: type 00BD then Alt+X.

    How do I make Word do fractions automatically?

    Turn on: “Fractions (1/2) with fraction character” in Word’s AutoFormat settings (see Troubleshooting steps).

    How do I type ⅓ or ⅛ in Word?

    Use Insert → Symbol and choose the fraction from Number Forms.
    (Windows Word also supports Unicode + Alt+X for many of these.)

    How do I write any fraction like 7/16 in Word?

    Use the Equation tool: Insert → Equation → Fraction, then type the numerator and denominator.

    What’s the difference between text fraction symbols and equation fractions?

    • Text fraction symbols (½, ⅓, ⅝) are single characters—best for normal sentences.
    • Equation fractions are built for math—best for worksheets, reports, and “any fraction.”

    Quick recap

    • Fastest: type 1/2 then Space (works for common ones).
    • Most reliable: Insert → Symbol (great for ⅓, ⅝, ⅞).
    • Windows power method: Unicode + Alt+X.
    • Any fraction (7/16): use Insert → Equation → Fraction.
    • If you type the same fraction often: set up AutoCorrect.