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U+2212 · Mathematical Operators

Minus Sign −

The true minus sign is the typographically correct character for subtraction and negative numbers. Unlike the keyboard hyphen, it matches the width of the plus sign and sits at the same height, so equations and tables of figures line up cleanly. Typesetters, publishers and careful designers use it in formulas, temperatures and financial statements.

UnicodeU+2212
HTML−
−U+2212

Character codes

Unicode code pointU+2212
Decimal8722
HTML named entity−
HTML (hex)−
HTML (decimal)−
CSS\2212
JavaScript\u2212
Python\u2212
UTF-8 bytesE2 88 92
UTF-162212
URL-encoded%E2%88%92

Character details

Official nameMINUS SIGN
Unicode blockMathematical Operators
General categoryMath Symbol (Sm)
SymbolHero categoryMath Symbols
EmojiNo

How to type −

Windows

  • In Microsoft Word or Outlook: type 2212 then press Alt + X.
  • Open Character Map (search “Character Map” in Start), tick “Advanced view”, search for “minus sign”, then Select and Copy.

Mac

  • Press Control + Command + Space to open the Character Viewer, search “minus sign”, and double-click the result.
  • With the Unicode Hex Input keyboard enabled (System Settings → Keyboard → Input Sources), hold Option and type 2212.

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 “minus sign” or enter U+2212.
  • HTML: − or −
  • Excel / Google Sheets: =UNICHAR(8722)

Examples

  • 7 − 4 = 3
  • −12 °C overnight
  • Net change: −2.4%

Good to know

Don’t mix it up: It is commonly swapped with the hyphen-minus - (U+002D), the key on your keyboard; code and spreadsheets need the hyphen-minus to calculate.

Tip: Use − in HTML, but keep the ordinary hyphen-minus in formulas and code, where the true minus sign will not be recognized as an operator.

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

Common Math Symbols and Their Meanings HTML Entities Explained (With a Symbol Cheat Sheet) Hyphen vs En Dash vs Em Dash: When to Use Each What Is Unicode? A Plain-English Guide

Similar math symbols

Division Sign
Per Mille Sign
Prime (Feet / Minutes)
Double Prime (Inches / Seconds)
For All
Partial Differential
There Exists
Empty Set
Increment (Delta)
Element Of
N-Ary Product
Summation Sign
Square Root Symbol
Infinity Symbol
Right Angle
Intersection
Union
Integral Sign
Therefore Sign
Because Sign
Approximately Equal Sign
Not Equal Sign
Identical to
Less Than or Equal To

See all 714 math symbols →

Questions

What is the Unicode for −?

It is U+2212 (MINUS SIGN), decimal 8722.

Is there a Windows Alt code for it?

No standard Alt code exists for this character. In Word type 2212 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 “minus sign”, or copy it from this page.

What is the HTML code?

Use the named entity − or the numeric reference −.