AltKeyCodes

Empty Set Symbol

There is no legacy Windows Alt code for Empty Set because it is not in either the OEM code page 437 or Windows-1252 tables. The Unicode codepoint is U+2205, which you can use as ∅ in HTML, \2205 in CSS, or type with Alt+8709 on Windows (BMP only). If your keyboard has no numeric keypad, use the Character Viewer, the HTML entity, or copy the character directly. Empty Set is outside both legacy code pages, which is why U+2205 is the identifier that works across Word, HTML, CSS, Python and JavaScript. HTML also defines the named entity ∅ for Empty Set, 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 empty set on Windows

  1. Turn Num Lock on so the numeric keypad is active.
  2. Hold the left Alt key.
  3. Type 8 7 0 9 on the numeric keypad for the decimal codepoint 8709.
  4. Release Alt. The Empty Set character (∅) appears.

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

How to type empty set on macOS

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

How to use empty set in code

  • HTML: or , also
  • CSS: content:"\2205"; ()
  • Python: \u2205 or chr(0x2205)
  • JavaScript: \u2205 or String.fromCodePoint(0x2205)
  • JSON: "\u2205"
  • LaTeX: $\emptyset$ (math mode)
Plus-minus SignAlt+241
Division SignAlt+246
Square RootAlt+251
Less-than Or Equal ToAlt+243
Greater-than Or Equal ToAlt+242
Multiplication SignAlt+0215
InfinityAlt+236
Almost Equal ToAlt+247
Identical ToAlt+240
N-ary SummationAlt+8721
Not Equal ToAlt+8800
Partial DifferentialAlt+8706
Minus SignAlt+8722
NablaAlt+8711
Element OfAlt+8712
IntegralAlt+8747
Long Rightwards ArrowAlt+10230

Frequently asked questions

Is there an Alt code for ∅?

No legacy Alt code exists for Empty Set because it is not in code page 437 or Windows-1252. Use the Unicode codepoint U+2205 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+8709 not work?

Alt+8709 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 Empty Set?

The Unicode codepoint for Empty Set is U+2205. You can use this value in HTML as ∅, in CSS as \2205, 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+2205, then click it.

Back to Math Symbols