How to Type the Plus-Minus Symbol (±)
Fastest method: Alt+0177 on Windows (with Num Lock on), or Option+Shift+= on Mac. You can also copy the symbol directly below.
Plus-Minus Sign
U+00B1
Windows (Alt code)
Alt+0177
Word (anywhere)
00B1, Alt+X
Mac (Option key)
Option+Shift+=
Unicode code point
U+00B1
HTML entity
±
FAQ
How do I type ± on Windows?
Turn on Num Lock, hold the Alt key, then type 0177 on the numeric keypad. Release Alt and the ± symbol appears.
How do I type ± on Mac?
Press Option+Shift+= (the equals key). This shortcut works in almost every macOS app.
How do I insert ± in Word or Google Docs?
In Word, type 00B1 then immediately press Alt+X — the code turns into ±. In Google Docs, use the Mac or Windows shortcut above, or go to Insert > Special characters.
What is the HTML code for the plus-minus symbol?
The HTML entity is ± (or the numeric code ±) — use it directly in your source code.