How to Type the Omega Symbol (Ω / ω) on Your Keyboard (Word + Excel)

Omega is the last letter of the Greek alphabet. It comes in two main forms:

Ω = uppercase omega (also commonly used for ohms, electrical resistance)
ω = lowercase omega (often used in science and math, like angular frequency)

This guide shows the fastest ways first, then step-by-step methods for Windows, Mac, Word, Excel, Google Docs, and mobile.

Table of Contents

1-Minute Answer (fastest ways)

Copy/paste (fastest anywhere)

Ω = uppercase omega (usually what people want for ohms)
ω = lowercase omega
℧/Ω note: Ω is the “ohm sign” character. It often looks identical to Ω, but Ω is usually the safer choice for typing. (More on this below.)

Windows (fast options)

Alt code (Ω): Hold Alt and type 234 on the numeric keypad.
No keypad? Use Character Map (steps below).

Mac (fast option)

If you just need Ω quickly, you can use the Option + Z shortcut on many Macs.
For Ω and ω reliably, use Character Viewer (steps below).

Microsoft Word (reliable student method)

Equation method: Insert an equation, then type:
- \Omega then Space → Ω
- \omega then Space → ω

Google Docs

Insert → Special characters → search omega → pick Ω or ω.

Phone (iPhone/Android)

Best: copy/paste Ω or ω from this page.

Quick Reference Table

Symbol	Name	Common meaning (simple)	Best on Windows	Best on Mac	Notes (Word/Docs)
Ω	Omega (uppercase)	Omega / Ohms (resistance)	Alt+234 (keypad) or Character Map	Option+Z or Character Viewer	Word: Insert Symbol or Equation `\Omega` + Space
ω	omega (lowercase)	Science/math (e.g., angular frequency)	Character Map (search “omega”)	Character Viewer (search “omega”)	Word: Equation `\omega` + Space
Ω	Ohm sign (looks like Ω)	Legacy “ohm” character	Alt+1002 (keypad)	Character Viewer	Usually OK visually, but Ω is preferred for most typing

Step-by-step methods (Windows, Mac, Word, Excel, Docs, Mobile)

A) Windows

Method 1: Alt code (only works with a numeric keypad)

Type Ω (uppercase omega)

Click where you want the symbol.
Turn on Num Lock.
Hold Alt.
Type 234 on the numeric keypad.
Release Alt → Ω appears.

Type Ω (ohm sign)

Hold Alt.
Type 1002 on the numeric keypad.
Release Alt → Ω appears.

If Alt codes aren’t working (common reasons)

You used the number row above letters (that usually won’t work).
Your laptop has no real numpad (try Character Map below).

Method 2: Character Map (most reliable for Ω and ω)

Click Start and search Character Map.
Open Character Map.
Turn on Advanced view (checkbox).
In the search box, type Omega.
Click Ω or ω, click Select, then Copy.
Paste where you need it (Ctrl+V).

Copy Omega Symbol from the Character Map

Method 3: Copy/paste

Copy Ω or ω from the copy line above and paste it anywhere.

B) Mac

Method 1: Keyboard shortcut (Ω only, if it works on your Mac)

Press Option + Z → Ω

If you also need ω, use Character Viewer below.

Method 2: Character Viewer (best for Ω and ω)

Click where you want the symbol.
Press Control + Command + Space to open Character Viewer.
Search omega (or greek).
Double-click Ω or ω to insert it.
(Optional) Add it to Favorites for next time.

C) Microsoft Word (strongest section)

Method 1: Insert → Symbol → More Symbols (best for normal text)

Click where you want the symbol.
Go to Insert.
Click Symbol → More Symbols.
In Subset, choose Greek and Coptic.
Select Ω or ω, then click Insert.
(General Microsoft steps: )

Method 2: Equation method (best for students and math)

This is great when you’re writing formulas.

Go to Insert → Equation (or press Alt + =).
Type \Omega then press Space → Ω
Type \omega then press Space → ω

Method 3: Word for Windows “Alt+X” Unicode method (very handy)

Type the Unicode hex code:
- 03A9 then press Alt + X → Ω
- 03C9 then press Alt + X → ω
If it changes the wrong characters, highlight just the code, then press Alt + X again.

D) Excel

Most reliable: Insert symbol or copy/paste.

Insert → Symbol (then find Ω or ω in the Greek area).
Or copy Ω / ω from this page and paste into a cell.

(Alt codes can work in Excel too, but if they don’t, use Insert Symbol or Character Map.)

E) PowerPoint

Go to Insert → Symbol.
Find Ω or ω and insert it.
(Equation method also works if you’re building a formula.)

F) Google Docs + Google Sheets

Google Docs

Insert → Special characters
Search omega
Click Ω or ω to insert.

Google Sheets

Easiest: copy/paste Ω or ω into your cell.

G) iPhone + Android

Most reliable: copy/paste Ω or ω from this page.
Optional: add a Greek keyboard in your phone settings if you use Greek letters often (keep it simple—copy/paste is usually enough).

H) Chromebook (short)

Copy/paste Ω or ω from this page.
Or in Google Docs: Insert → Special characters → search omega.

Meaning + examples (simple)

Electrical resistance (ohms): 10 Ω
Angular frequency / angular velocity (common): ω
Omega can also be used in math/science to mean “the last” or “end” in some contexts.

Common confusion (read this if it looks “wrong”)

Ω vs ω

Ω is uppercase omega (often used for ohms).
ω is lowercase omega (often used in science/math).

Ω vs W (and ω vs w)

In some fonts, Ω can look like W, and ω can look like w.
If it’s confusing, change the font (see Troubleshooting below).

Ω vs Ω (which should you use?)

Ω (U+03A9) = Greek capital letter omega
Ω (U+2126) = “ohm sign” (older compatibility character)
They often look identical, but Ω is usually preferred for normal typing and consistency.

Troubleshooting

1) “I can’t find omega in Word’s Symbol menu”

In the Symbol dialog, change Subset to Greek and Coptic, then look again.

2) “It shows as a box □ or missing symbol”

Change the font to something common like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman.
Some fonts don’t support Greek characters.

3) “Alt code not working on Windows”

Make sure Num Lock is on.
Use the numeric keypad (not the number row).
If you don’t have a keypad, use Character Map instead.

4) “When I paste Ω/ω it changes or looks different”

That’s usually a font substitution issue.
In Word/Excel, try Insert → Symbol so it inserts the character in a compatible way.

FAQ (quick answers)

How do I type Ω on Windows?
Use Alt+234 on the numeric keypad, or use Character Map if you don’t have a keypad.

How do I type ω on Windows?
Use Character Map and search “Omega”, then copy ω.

How do I type omega on Mac?
Use Character Viewer (Control + Command + Space) and search “omega”.

How do I insert the omega symbol in Word?
Use Insert → Symbol, or use Equation: \Omega + Space / \omega + Space.

Is Ω the same as the ohm symbol?
In practice, Ω is the symbol most people use for ohms. There is also Ω, which often looks the same, but Ω is usually preferred.

What’s the difference between Ω and ω?
They’re different letters: Ω is uppercase; ω is lowercase, and they’re used differently in science/math.

Why does omega look like W on my screen?
Some fonts make Ω look close to W, and ω close to w. Change your font to a clearer one.

Quick recap

Fastest: copy/paste → Ω ω
Windows: Alt+234 for Ω (keypad) or Character Map for both
Mac: Character Viewer is the most reliable
Word: Insert Symbol or Equation \Omega / \omega + Space