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Plus-Minus Symbol (±) Keyboard Shortcuts: How to Type It on Windows, Mac, Word, Excel, and Mobile

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.

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 → ±
  • 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).
Plus-Minus (±) Copy Tool
Click a button to copy. Then paste anywhere.
Core
Related math symbols
Typing alternative
Tip: If copying doesn’t work, select the symbol and press Ctrl+C (Windows) or Cmd+C (Mac).

Quick Reference (±)

ItemValue
Symbol±
NamePlus-minus sign
UnicodeU+00B1
Windows Alt codeAlt + 0177 (numeric keypad)
HTML± and ±
plus minus shortcuts for both Windows and Mac

A) How to Type ± on Windows

Method 1: Alt Code (Fastest on Windows)

Alt code for ± is: 0177

Steps:

  1. Click where you want to insert ±.
  2. Turn Num Lock ON.
  3. Hold Alt.
  4. Type 0177 on the numeric keypad (the number pad on the right side).
  5. Release Alt → ±
plus or minus symbol alt code for Windows

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)

Steps:

  1. Click Start and search Character Map.
  2. Open Character Map.
  3. (Optional) Tick Advanced view.
  4. Search for plus minus (or scroll until you find ±).
  5. Click ± → click Select → click Copy.
  6. Paste it where you need it (Ctrl + V).
copy plus or minus symbol from the Character Map in Windows

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)

Steps:

  1. Press Control + Command + Space to open Character Viewer.
  2. Search plus minus.
  3. Double-click ± to insert it.

C) How to Insert ± in Microsoft Word (Windows + Mac)

Method 1: Insert Symbol (Works on Windows and Mac)

Steps:

  1. Go to Insert.
  2. Click Symbol (or Advanced Symbol / More Symbols).
  3. Find ± (it’s commonly under Latin-1 Supplement).
  4. Click Insert.
insert plus or minus symbol in Word or Excel or PowerPoint

Method 2: Word “00B1” Code (Windows Word)

Steps:

  1. Type 00B1 (zero zero B one).
  2. Press Alt + X → it changes into ±

Method 3 (Optional): AutoCorrect Shortcut in Word

If you type ± often, you can make Word auto-convert +- into ±.

Basic steps:

  1. Open Word settings/options for AutoCorrect.
  2. Add a rule:
    • Replace: +-
    • With: ±
  3. Save.

(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

Steps:

  1. Go to Insert.
  2. Click Symbol.
  3. Select ±.
  4. Click Insert.

(Alt code on Windows and the Mac shortcut also work inside text boxes.)

F) How to Insert ± in Google Docs

Steps:

  1. Go to Insert → Special characters.
  2. In the search box, type plus minus (or paste ±).
  3. Click ± to insert it.

G) How to Type ± in Google Sheets

Use the same approach as Excel:

  • =CHAR(177)

Quick examples:

  • ="25"&CHAR(177)&"2"
  • =A1&CHAR(177)&B1

Or just copy/paste ±.

H) How to Type ± on iPhone and Android

iPhone (iOS)

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.

Fix:

  • 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
  • HTML: ± or ±

Quick Recap

  • 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