How to Insert Special Symbols in Word (Codes and Shortcuts)

Word has four ways to insert a symbol: the Symbol dialog, a Unicode code with Alt + X, an Alt code, and equation codes such as \pi.

The reference table gives every code, and the sections after it show each symbol.

• Insert any symbol from the Symbol menu
• Type a Unicode code and press Alt + X
• Type an Alt code on the numeric keypad
• Type an equation code
• Symbol reference table
• Symbol-by-symbol steps

Inserting any symbol from the Symbol menu

Use this when you don’t know a symbol’s code, or want to browse.

1. Click where the symbol should go.
2. Go to Insert > Symbol and pick a recent symbol, or select More Symbols.
3. Choose a Font and Subset. (normal text) and Segoe UI Symbol cover most symbols.
4. Select the symbol, then Insert and Close.

Result: the symbol is inserted and added to the recently used list.

The Character code box at the bottom shows the symbol’s code for the next method. Microsoft’s Insert a symbol in Word guide covers special characters and fractions too. On a Mac, use Insert > Advanced Symbol > Symbols.

Typing a Unicode code and pressing Alt + X

Use this when you insert the same symbol often in Word for Windows.

1. Type the symbol’s hex code from the table, for example 03C0.
2. Press Alt + X.

Result: the code turns into the symbol (π). Press Alt + X again to see the code of any selected character.

Tip: If the code follows a letter or digit, Word reads them together. Type a space first, select just the code, or type U+ before it (for example U+03C0).

Typing an Alt code on the numeric keypad

Use this when your keyboard has a numeric keypad and the symbol has an Alt code, such as ° or ±.

1. Turn on Num Lock.
2. Hold Alt and type the four-digit code on the keypad, for example 0176.
3. Release Alt.

Alt codes come from Windows, not Word, and only a few maths symbols have one. Microsoft’s ASCII and Unicode character codes page lists the common ones.

Typing an equation code

Use this when the symbol belongs in a formula.

1. Press Alt + = on Windows, or go to Insert > Equation.
2. Type the code, such as \pi, \alpha or \sum.
3. Press Space.

Result: the code becomes the symbol inside the equation. Codes are case-sensitive: \Delta gives Δ and \delta gives δ.

These codes come from Word’s Math AutoCorrect list, documented in Microsoft’s linear format equations guide. To build complete formulas, see how to write math equations in Word.

Word symbol reference table

Unicode codes work with Alt + X in Word for Windows. Mac keys are for the US keyboard layout. A dash means there’s no standard shortcut; use the Symbol menu.

On a Mac, any symbol without a key is in the Character Viewer: press Fn + E (Globe + E) or choose Edit > Emoji & Symbols, as described in Apple’s guide to emoji and symbols on Mac.

Symbol-by-symbol steps

Each symbol below starts with its fastest method. Most have a short video; √, ° and Δ have full guides of their own.

Square root (√)

Type 221A and press Alt + X, or press Alt + =, type \sqrt and press Space. To put a value under the radical, follow our guide to the square root symbol in Word.

Degree (°)

Hold Alt and type 0176 on the keypad, or type B0 and press Alt + X. Mac: Option + Shift + 8. More options, including °C, are in how to insert a degree symbol in Word.

Delta (Δ, δ)

Type 0394 (Δ) or 03B4 (δ) and press Alt + X. In an equation, use \Delta or \delta. The guide to the delta symbol in Word explains the look-alike ∆ increment sign.

Pi (π)

Press Alt + =, type \pi and press Space. In normal text, type 03C0 and press Alt + X, or press Option + P on a Mac. Use \Pi for capital Π.

Alpha (α)

Press Alt + =, type \alpha and press Space. In normal text, type 03B1 and press Alt + X. Other Greek letters follow the same pattern: \beta, \theta, \lambda, \omega.

Plus-minus (±)

Press Alt + =, type \pm and press Space. Use \mp for ∓.

In normal text, hold Alt and type 0177 on the keypad, or type 00B1 and press Alt + X. Mac: Option + Shift + =.

Summation (∑)

Press Alt + =, type \sum and press Space. For limits above and below, type \sum_(i=1)^n and press Space, or use Large Operator under Structures on the Equation tab.

Note: ∑ (U+2211, summation) and Σ (U+03A3, Greek capital sigma) look alike. Use ∑ in formulas.

Integral (∫)

Press Alt + =, type \int and press Space. Use \iint for a double integral, or pick a layout with limits from Integral under Structures on the Equation tab.

Email (envelope, ✉)

Type 2709 and press Alt + X. It suits contact lines in a CV or letterhead, next to an email address.

Telephone (☎)

Type 260E and press Alt + X for ☎, or 260F for the outline ☏. Newer phone symbols, such as 1F57F (🕿) or 1F4DE (📞), also work but may show in colour or need a font like Segoe UI Symbol.

Comparing the methods

Troubleshooting

• The symbol shows as an empty box: the current font doesn’t contain it. Select it and switch to Segoe UI Symbol or Cambria Math.
• Alt + X converted too much: undo, add a space before the code (or type U+ before it), and try again.
• \pi stays as text: it only converts inside an equation unless you turn on Use Math AutoCorrect rules outside of math regions.
• Nothing happens in Word for the web: Alt + X is a desktop Word shortcut. Use Insert > Symbol.

If you need clickable boxes rather than static ✓ marks, see how to insert clickable checkboxes in Word. More symbol guides are in the Microsoft Word guides.