Prime Symbol

There is no legacy Windows Alt code for Prime because it is not in either the OEM code page 437 or Windows-1252 tables. The Unicode codepoint is U+2032, which you can use as ′ in HTML, \2032 in CSS, or type with Alt+8242 on Windows (BMP only). If your keyboard has no numeric keypad, use the Character Viewer, the HTML entity, or copy the character directly. Prime is outside both legacy code pages, which is why U+2032 is the identifier that works across Word, HTML, CSS, Python and JavaScript. HTML also defines the named entity ′ for Prime, but the numeric form ′ is safer when compatibility is uncertain.

Codes for this symbol

Copy any value by clicking it.
MethodValue
Alt + decimal
Alt + X hex
HTML named entity
HTML decimal
HTML hex
CSS escape
Python escape
JavaScript escape
UTF-8 bytes
Unicode codepoint
Unicode block
Unicode category

Not available for this symbol: legacy Windows Alt code, macOS Option shortcut.

How to type prime on Windows

  1. Turn Num Lock on so the numeric keypad is active.
  2. Hold the left Alt key.
  3. Type 8 2 4 2 on the numeric keypad for the decimal codepoint 8242.
  4. Release Alt. The Prime character (′) appears.

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

How to type prime on macOS

There is no direct Option shortcut for Prime. Open the Character Viewer with ⌃⌘Space, search for "Prime" and click the character to insert it.

How to use prime in code

  • HTML: or , also
  • CSS: content:"\2032"; ()
  • Python: \u2032 or chr(0x2032)
  • JavaScript: \u2032 or String.fromCodePoint(0x2032)
  • JSON: "\u2032"

Frequently asked questions

Is there an Alt code for ′?

No legacy Alt code exists for Prime because it is not in code page 437 or Windows-1252. Use the Unicode codepoint U+2032 in HTML, CSS or the Character Viewer instead.

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+8242 not work?

Alt+8242 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 Prime?

The Unicode codepoint for Prime is U+2032. You can use this value in HTML as ′, in CSS as \2032, and in Word with Alt+X.

How do I type ′ on a Mac?

Open the Character Viewer with ⌃⌘Space and search for the character name or U+2032, then click it.