AltKeyCodes

N-ary Summation Symbol

There is no legacy Windows Alt code for N-ary Summation because it is not in either the OEM code page 437 or Windows-1252 tables. The Unicode codepoint is U+2211, which you can use as ∑ in HTML, \2211 in CSS, or type with Alt+8721 on Windows (BMP only). If your keyboard has no numeric keypad, use the Character Viewer, the HTML entity, or copy the character directly. N-ary Summation is outside both legacy code pages, which is why U+2211 is the identifier that works across Word, HTML, CSS, Python and JavaScript. HTML also defines the named entity ∑ for N-ary Summation, 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
macOS Option
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.

How to type n-ary summation on Windows

  1. Turn Num Lock on so the numeric keypad is active.
  2. Hold the left Alt key.
  3. Type 8 7 2 1 on the numeric keypad for the decimal codepoint 8721.
  4. Release Alt. The N-ary Summation character (∑) appears.

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

How to type n-ary summation on macOS

On a US keyboard layout, press ⌥W to insert N-ary Summation. 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 "N-Ary Summation" and click the character.

How to use n-ary summation in code

  • HTML: or , also
  • CSS: content:"\2211"; ()
  • Python: \u2211 or chr(0x2211)
  • JavaScript: \u2211 or String.fromCodePoint(0x2211)
  • JSON: "\u2211"
  • LaTeX: $\sum$ (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
Greek Capital Letter OmegaAlt+234
Greek Small Letter PiAlt+227
Identical ToAlt+240
Greek Capital Letter SigmaAlt+228
Greek Small Letter AlphaAlt+224
Not Equal ToAlt+8800
Greek Capital Letter GammaAlt+226
Greek Capital Letter ThetaAlt+233
Greek Capital Letter PhiAlt+232
Greek Small Letter EpsilonAlt+238

Frequently asked questions

Is there an Alt code for ∑?

No legacy Alt code exists for N-ary Summation because it is not in code page 437 or Windows-1252. Use the Unicode codepoint U+2211 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+8721 not work?

Alt+8721 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 N-ary Summation?

The Unicode codepoint for N-ary Summation is U+2211. You can use this value in HTML as ∑, in CSS as \2211, and in Word with Alt+X.

How do I type ∑ on a Mac?

On a US Mac keyboard, press ⌥W. If that does not work on your layout, open ⌃⌘Space and search for U+2211.

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