U+2206 · Mathematical Operators
Increment (Delta) ∆
The increment symbol represents a change or difference in a quantity, as in Δx for a change in x. Unicode encodes it separately from the Greek capital letter delta for use as a mathematical operator, though the two look nearly identical in most fonts. It is common in physics, finance and engineering to express a change between two values.
Character codes
| Unicode code point | U+2206 | |
|---|---|---|
| Decimal | 8710 | |
| HTML (hex) | ∆ | |
| HTML (decimal) | ∆ | |
| CSS | \2206 | |
| JavaScript | \u2206 | |
| Python | \u2206 | |
| UTF-8 bytes | E2 88 86 | |
| UTF-16 | 2206 | |
| URL-encoded | %E2%88%86 |
Character details
| Official name | INCREMENT |
|---|---|
| Unicode block | Mathematical Operators |
| General category | Math Symbol (Sm) |
| SymbolHero category | Math Symbols |
| Emoji | No |
How to type ∆
Windows
- In Microsoft Word or Outlook: type
2206then press Alt + X. - Open Character Map (search “Character Map” in Start), tick “Advanced view”, search for “increment”, then Select and Copy.
Mac
- Press Option + J (US English keyboard layout).
- Press Control + Command + Space to open the Character Viewer, search “increment”, and double-click the result.
- With the Unicode Hex Input keyboard enabled (System Settings → Keyboard → Input Sources), hold Option and type
2206.
iPhone & Android
- Tap Copy at the top of this page, then long-press where you want it and choose Paste.
Docs & web
- Google Docs: Insert → Special characters, then search “increment” or enter
U+2206. - HTML:
∆ - Excel / Google Sheets:
=UNICHAR(8710)
Examples
- ∆T = 15 °C
- ∆ revenue: +8% year over year
- Slope = ∆y / ∆x
Good to know
Don’t mix it up: It looks almost identical to the Greek capital letter Δ (U+0394); Unicode recommends U+0394 for new text, so pick one and use it consistently.
Tip: On a Mac, Option + J types ∆ on the standard US layout.
Display: the character itself is always the same code point, but its shape comes from the font on the device showing it. If you see an empty box, the font lacks this glyph—the text is still correct.
Similar math symbols
Questions
What is the Unicode for ∆?
It is U+2206 (INCREMENT), decimal 8710.
Is there a Windows Alt code for it?
No standard Alt code exists for this character. In Word type 2206 then Alt+X, or copy it from this page.
How do I type it on a Mac?
Option + J on a US English keyboard, or use the Character Viewer (Control + Command + Space).
What is the HTML code?
Use the numeric reference ∆ (or ∆). There is no named entity.