How to Type the Plus or Minus Symbol
Use ± in measurements, estimates, math notes, and reports without formatting mistakes.
Click a symbol below to copy it instantly. A confirmation message will appear when it is on your clipboard.
What ± means
The plus or minus symbol ± usually shows a tolerance, range, or possible variation. For example, 10 ± 0.5 mm means the value can be slightly above or below 10 mm.
The easiest way to type it
If you do not remember your operating system shortcut, copy ± and paste it. This is often faster than searching through a symbol dialog, especially on shared computers.
Avoid a common mistake
Do not type “+/-” in polished documents if the real symbol is available. The Unicode symbol looks cleaner and is easier to read in reports, specs, and academic work.
Related symbol collections
If you want more options, browse our mathematical symbols. These pages are useful when you need to compare similar characters before copying one into a document.
Is ± supported everywhere?
Yes, it is a standard Unicode character and works in modern browsers, documents, spreadsheets, and most apps.
Keep formulas readable
the symbol is helpful in homework, spreadsheets, lab notes, engineering comments, and short formulas. If the audience may not know the symbol, write the word once first and then use the symbol after that. This keeps the content accurate without slowing the reader down.
Copy symbols carefully between apps
Math and science symbols can change appearance depending on the font. After pasting the symbol, check spacing, superscripts, and surrounding numbers. In plain text fields, avoid using an image of the symbol because it will not search, copy, or scale as well.
Quick FAQ
Can I copy and paste it? Yes. Copying the symbol is safe for normal documents, emails, web forms, and design tools. If it appears wrong after pasting, switch to a common font or copy it again from TypeSymbol.com.