Plus-minus Sign Alt Code and Symbol

The Alt code for Plus-minus Sign is 241. Hold Alt, type 241 on the numeric keypad, then release Alt. Plus-minus Sign also has the Unicode codepoint U+00B1, so you can type it with Alt+177 on Windows, search for U+00B1 in macOS's Character Viewer, use ± in HTML, or \00B1 in CSS. If your keyboard has no numeric keypad, use the Character Viewer, the HTML entity, or copy the character directly — the Alt key method requires a physical numpad. On a US Mac keyboard, press ⌥⇧= for Plus-minus Sign; shortcuts can differ on other layouts. HTML also defines the named entity ± for Plus-minus Sign, but the numeric form ± is safer when compatibility is uncertain.

Codes for this symbol

Copy any value by clicking it.
Method	Value
Legacy Alt code
Alt + decimal
Alt + X hex
macOS Option
HTML named entity
HTML decimal
HTML hex
CSS escape
Python escape
JavaScript escape
UTF-8 bytes
Unicode codepoint
Unicode block
Unicode category

How to type plus-minus sign on Windows

Turn Num Lock on so the numeric keypad is active.
Hold the left Alt key.
Type 2 4 1 on the numeric keypad.
Release Alt. The Plus-minus Sign character (±) appears.

If your keyboard has no numeric keypad, see how to type symbols without a numpad.

How to type plus-minus sign on macOS

On a US keyboard layout, press ⌥⇧= to insert Plus-minus Sign. This shortcut assumes a US layout; other layouts may remap it.

If the shortcut does not work on your layout, open the Character Viewer with ⌃⌘Space, search for "Plus-Minus Sign" and click the character.

How to use plus-minus sign in code

HTML: or , also
CSS: content:"\00B1"; ()
Python: \u00B1 or chr(0xB1)
JavaScript: \u00B1 or String.fromCodePoint(0xB1)
JSON: "\u00B1"
LaTeX: $\pm$ (math mode)

Frequently asked questions

What is the Alt code for Plus-minus Sign?

The legacy Alt code for Plus-minus Sign is 241. Hold Alt, type 2 4 1 on the numeric keypad, then release Alt.

How do I type ± without a numpad?

Use the Windows Character Viewer (Win+.), the macOS Character Viewer (⌃⌘Space), an HTML entity such as ±, or copy the character directly from this page.

Why does Alt+177 not work?

Alt+177 only works on a keyboard with a physical numeric keypad. It also requires the application to accept the numeric-keypad input path. Laptops without a numpad need an alternative method.

What is the Unicode for Plus-minus Sign?

The Unicode codepoint for Plus-minus Sign is U+00B1. You can use this value in HTML as ±, in CSS as \00B1, and in Word with Alt+X.

How do I type ± on a Mac?

On a US Mac keyboard, press ⌥⇧=. If that does not work on your layout, open ⌃⌘Space and search for U+00B1.

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