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U+03BB · Greek and Coptic

Lambda (λ)

The lowercase lambda λ is the eleventh letter of the Greek alphabet. It stands for wavelength in physics, eigenvalues in linear algebra, the decay constant in radioactivity, and the arrival rate in queueing theory. Programmers know it from lambda calculus and anonymous lambda functions, and it has become an informal logo for functional programming.

UnicodeU+03BB
HTMLλ
λU+03BB

Character codes

Unicode code pointU+03BB
Decimal955
HTML named entityλ
HTML (hex)λ
HTML (decimal)λ
CSS\03BB
JavaScript\u03BB
Python\u03BB
UTF-8 bytesCE BB
UTF-1603BB
URL-encoded%CE%BB

Character details

Official nameGREEK SMALL LETTER LAMDA
Unicode blockGreek and Coptic
General categoryLowercase Letter (Ll)
SymbolHero categoryGreek Letters
UppercaseΛ Greek Capital Letter Lamda
EmojiNo

How to type λ

Windows

  • In Microsoft Word or Outlook: type 03BB then press Alt + X.
  • Open Character Map (search “Character Map” in Start), tick “Advanced view”, search for “greek small letter lamda”, then Select and Copy.

Mac

  • Press Control + Command + Space to open the Character Viewer, search “greek small letter lamda”, and double-click the result.
  • With the Unicode Hex Input keyboard enabled (System Settings → Keyboard → Input Sources), hold Option and type 03BB.

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 “greek small letter lamda” or enter U+03BB.
  • HTML: λ or λ
  • Excel / Google Sheets: =UNICHAR(955)

Examples

  • λ = 650 nm (red light)
  • Av = λv
  • λx. x + 1
  • Poisson arrivals with rate λ

Good to know

Tip: Unicode’s official name spells it LAMDA without the b, which is useful to know when searching character tables.

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.

Guides

Greek Alphabet Symbols: Every Letter to Copy and Paste

Similar greek letters

Greek Capital Letter Gamma
Capital Delta (Δ)
Greek Capital Letter Theta
Capital Sigma (Σ)
Greek Capital Letter Phi
Omega (Capital)
Alpha (α)
Beta (β)
Gamma (γ)
Delta (δ)
Epsilon (ε)
Theta (θ)
Mu (μ)
Pi Symbol
Sigma (σ)
Greek Small Letter Tau
Phi (φ)
Omega (ω)
Greek Capital Letter Heta
Greek Small Letter Heta
Greek Capital Letter Archaic Sampi
Greek Small Letter Archaic Sampi
Greek Numeral Sign
Greek Capital Letter Pamphylian Digamma

See all 333 greek letters →

Questions

What is the Unicode for λ?

It is U+03BB (GREEK SMALL LETTER LAMDA), decimal 955.

Is there a Windows Alt code for it?

No standard Alt code exists for this character. In Word type 03BB then Alt+X, or copy it from this page.

How do I type it on a Mac?

There is no built-in Option shortcut. Use the Character Viewer (Control + Command + Space) and search “greek small letter lamda”, or copy it from this page.

What is the HTML code?

Use the named entity λ or the numeric reference λ.