The plus or minus symbol (±) is a mathematical sign used to represent two possible values, a positive or negative alternative, or an amount of uncertainty in a measurement. For example, (x = \pm 5) means that (x) can be +5 or −5. You can copy and paste ± directly or insert it using a keyboard shortcut.
Key Takeaways
- Symbol: ±
- Meaning: Plus or minus, indicating alternative signs or a stated range of variation.
- Windows shortcut: Hold Alt and type 0177 on the numeric keypad.
- Mac shortcut: Press Option + Shift + = on a standard US keyboard layout.
- Unicode: U+00B1.
- Quickest method: Copy ± and paste it wherever you need it.
Plus or Minus Symbol Copy and Paste
Need the plus or minus symbol for a math problem, school assignment, spreadsheet, or social media post? Copy the character below.
Plus or minus symbol: ±
Copy-ready alternatives:
- Plus sign: +
- Minus sign: −
- Plus or minus: ±
- Minus or plus: ∓
- Plain-text alternative: +/-
The character ± is a single symbol, not a combination of three separate characters. You can paste it into most text editors, messaging apps, documents, and websites.
On Windows, use Ctrl + C to copy selected text and Ctrl + V to paste it. On a Mac, use Command + C and Command + V.
If you only need the symbol once, copying and pasting is usually easier than memorizing a keyboard shortcut.
What Does the Plus or Minus Symbol Mean?
The plus or minus symbol (±), also called the plus-minus sign, combines a plus sign and a minus sign into one mathematical character.
Its meaning depends on the context. It can represent two possible answers in algebra or describe a range around a measured value.
Meaning in Mathematics
In mathematics, ± often means that both the positive and negative versions of a number are possible.
For example:
x = ±4
This means:
- x = +4
- x = −4
The symbol saves space by expressing two alternatives in one statement.
Consider this equation:
x² = 25
Taking the square root gives two real solutions:
x = ±5
Both 5 and −5 work because multiplying either number by itself produces 25.
However, the plus-minus sign does not automatically mean that every equation has two solutions. You must interpret it within the equation and check which values satisfy the original conditions.
Meaning in Measurements and Science
The plus or minus symbol also describes a stated amount of variation, uncertainty, or tolerance around a value.
For example:
10 ± 0.5 cm
This expresses a central value of 10 centimeters with a stated variation of 0.5 centimeters in either direction. The corresponding interval is 9.5 to 10.5 centimeters.
Here are more examples:
| Example | Interpretation |
|---|---|
| 20 ± 2 | A stated interval from 18 to 22 |
| 100 ± 5 g | A stated range from 95 to 105 grams |
| 50 ± 1 °F | A stated interval from 49°F to 51°F |
| Mean ± standard deviation | A statistical summary showing the mean and one standard deviation |
The last example requires care. Mean ± standard deviation describes a statistical summary; it does not automatically establish a measurement’s maximum and minimum possible values.
Similarly, a tolerance in engineering or manufacturing describes an allowed variation, while measurement uncertainty describes doubt about a measured result. The symbol can appear in both contexts, but the underlying meanings are not identical.
How to Type the Plus or Minus Symbol on a Keyboard
You do not need to memorize every symbol code. Choose the method that matches your device.
Windows Keyboard Shortcut
On many Windows desktop applications, you can type the plus-minus symbol with an Alt code.
Method 1: Use the Alt code
- Place your cursor where the symbol should appear.
- Turn on Num Lock if your keyboard has that setting.
- Hold down the Alt key.
- Type 0177 on the numeric keypad.
- Release Alt.
The symbol should appear: ±
This method depends on using the numeric keypad. The number keys above the letters generally do not work for this Alt-code method.
Method 2: Use Character Map
If your laptop does not have a numeric keypad, try this alternative:
- Open the Windows Start menu.
- Search for Character Map.
- Open the application.
- Find the plus-minus sign (±).
- Select and copy the symbol.
- Paste it into your document.
Mac Keyboard Shortcut
On a Mac using a standard US keyboard layout, press:
Option + Shift + =
The plus-minus symbol should appear as ±.
If the shortcut does not work, use the Character Viewer:
- Press Control + Command + Space.
- Search for “plus-minus.”
- Find the ± character.
- Double-click it to insert it.
Keyboard layouts and application settings can affect shortcuts, so Character Viewer is a useful alternative.
iPhone and Android
The plus-minus symbol may not appear on your default mobile keyboard.
The easiest method is to copy ± from this article and paste it into a message, note, email, or document.
If you use the symbol frequently, you can also create a text replacement or personal dictionary shortcut on your phone. For example, you could set a short trigger such as ;pm to expand into ±, if your keyboard supports that feature.
How to Insert the ± Symbol in Microsoft Word and Google Docs
You can insert the plus-minus symbol directly into a document without changing your keyboard settings.
Microsoft Word
Method 1: Unicode shortcut
- Type
00B1in your Word document. - Immediately press Alt + X.
- Word converts the code into ±.
If the conversion does not work as expected, use the Insert Symbol method instead.
Method 2: Insert Symbol
- Open the Insert tab.
- Select Symbol and then More Symbols, if available.
- Locate the plus-minus sign.
- Select it and click Insert.
These methods are useful for homework, reports, technical documents, and scientific writing.
Google Docs
To insert the character in Google Docs:
- Open your document.
- Select Insert → Special characters.
- Search for “plus-minus.”
- Select the ± symbol.
You can also copy the symbol from this page and paste it directly into your document.
How to Use the Plus or Minus Symbol in Excel
In Excel, the plus-minus sign is usually used to display a symbol in a cell, label, or report. It is not a standalone arithmetic operator that tells Excel to calculate both positive and negative results.
You can generate the character with this formula:
=UNICHAR(177)
In supported Excel versions, this returns ±.
For example, suppose cell A1 contains 10 and B1 contains 0.5. To display the two values with the plus-minus sign between them, use:
=A1&" "&UNICHAR(177)&" "&B1
The result is:
10 ± 0.5
This formula joins text representations of the values. It does not calculate an interval.
If you want to calculate the upper and lower limits, use separate formulas:
- Lower limit:
=A1-B1 - Upper limit:
=A1+B1
With the example above, the results are 9.5 and 10.5.
This distinction matters when you need both a readable report and accurate numerical calculations.
Plus or Minus Symbol: Unicode and HTML Codes
The plus-minus sign has a standard Unicode code point, which helps computers identify and display it across compatible applications.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Character | ± |
| Official Unicode name | PLUS-MINUS SIGN |
| Unicode code point | U+00B1 |
| Decimal value | 177 |
| HTML named entity | ± |
| HTML decimal reference | ± |
| HTML hexadecimal reference | ± |
For example, in HTML source code, you can write:
The result is 10 ± 0.5.
A browser will normally display the sentence as:
The result is 10 ± 0.5.
These codes are useful for web developers, content editors, and anyone who needs to insert the symbol into HTML.
Difference Between Plus, Minus, Plus-Minus, and Minus-Plus
Several mathematical symbols look similar but have different meanings.
| Symbol | Name | Main use |
|---|---|---|
| + | Plus sign | Addition or a positive value |
| − | Minus sign | Subtraction or a negative value |
| ± | Plus-minus sign | Positive and negative alternatives or stated variation |
| ∓ | Minus-plus sign | The reverse sign order, often paired with ± |
The plus-minus symbol (±) is not the same as the minus-plus symbol (∓).
For example, consider:
a ± b
This represents the two expressions a + b and a − b.
In some mathematical formulas, ± and ∓ appear together to show linked choices. In those cases, choosing the upper sign in one place means choosing the corresponding upper sign in the other, and the same applies to the lower signs.
Also, +/- is a plain-text alternative. It can communicate the same idea when the actual character is unavailable, but it is not the same character as ±.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
A few small errors can create confusion when using this symbol.
1. Confusing ± with + or −
A plus sign alone does not express the same alternatives as a plus-minus sign. Use the correct symbol for the intended meaning.
2. Assuming every measurement has an exact range
The expression 10 ± 0.5 may indicate a stated tolerance or uncertainty. Its precise interpretation depends on the context and how the value was reported.
3. Using an Alt code without a numeric keypad
The Windows Alt + 0177 method generally requires the numeric keypad. If your keyboard lacks one, use Character Map or copy and paste the character.
4. Treating ± as an Excel calculation operator
Excel does not interpret the symbol as an instruction to calculate both possibilities. Use separate formulas for the upper and lower values.
5. Confusing the character with an emoji
The plus-minus sign is a mathematical text symbol, not an emoji. Its appearance may vary slightly with the font, but its intended character remains the same.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the plus or minus symbol?
The plus or minus symbol is ±. It is used in mathematics to represent positive and negative alternatives and in measurements to express a stated variation or uncertainty. For example, x = ±3 means x can equal 3 or −3.
How do I copy and paste the ± symbol?
Copy this character: ±. On Windows, press Ctrl + C and then Ctrl + V. On a Mac, press Command + C and Command + V. On a phone, select and copy the symbol, then paste it into your message or document.
What is the Alt code for the plus-minus symbol?
On many Windows desktop applications, hold Alt and type 0177 on the numeric keypad. Release Alt to insert ±. Make sure you use the keypad rather than the number row above the letters.
What is the Unicode for the plus or minus symbol?
The Unicode code point is U+00B1, and its decimal value is 177. In HTML, you can use ±, ±, or ± to display the symbol.
Is ± the same as +/−?
The character ± expresses the plus-or-minus concept in one symbol. The sequence +/− is a plain-text substitute that people may use when the proper character is unavailable. They can communicate the same idea, but they are not identical character sequences.
Conclusion
The plus or minus symbol (±) is a useful mathematical character for showing two possible signs, a range around a value, or a stated amount of variation.
You can copy and paste ± directly, use Alt + 0177 on a compatible Windows numeric keypad, or press Option + Shift + = on a Mac with a standard US keyboard layout. Microsoft Word, Google Docs, and Excel also provide ways to insert or generate the character.
Remember that its meaning depends on context: an algebraic expression, a measurement tolerance, and a statistical uncertainty are not necessarily the same thing. Once you understand that distinction, you can use the symbol clearly in schoolwork, technical writing, spreadsheets, and everyday communication.
