U+00B1 · Latin-1 Supplement

Plus-Minus Sign ±

The plus-minus sign expresses a tolerance, margin of error, or two possible values at once. Scientists write results as 9.81 ± 0.02, engineers specify part tolerances with it, and pollsters report margins of error. In mathematics it shows both roots of an equation, as in the quadratic formula. Casual writers also use it to mean 'approximately'.

WindowsAlt 241 / 0177

MacOption + Shift + Equals (=)

UnicodeU+00B1

HTML±

±U+00B1

Character codes

Unicode code point	`U+00B1`
Decimal	`177`
HTML named entity	`±`
HTML (hex)	`±`
HTML (decimal)	`±`
CSS	`\00B1`
JavaScript	`\u00B1`
Python	`\u00B1`
UTF-8 bytes	`C2 B1`
UTF-16	`00B1`
URL-encoded	`%C2%B1`

Character details

Official name	PLUS-MINUS SIGN
Unicode block	Latin-1 Supplement
General category	Math Symbol (Sm)
SymbolHero category	Math Symbols
Emoji	No

How to type ±

Windows

Hold Alt and type 241 on the numeric keypad (Num Lock on), then release Alt. Alt 241 uses the code page 437.
Hold Alt and type 0177 on the numeric keypad (Num Lock on), then release Alt. Alt 0177 uses the Windows-1252 code page.
In Microsoft Word or Outlook: type 00B1 then press Alt + X.
Open Character Map (search “Character Map” in Start), tick “Advanced view”, search for “plus-minus sign”, then Select and Copy.

Mac

Press Option + Shift + Equals (=) (US English keyboard layout).
Press Control + Command + Space to open the Character Viewer, search “plus-minus sign”, and double-click the result.
With the Unicode Hex Input keyboard enabled (System Settings → Keyboard → Input Sources), hold Option and type 00B1.

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 “plus-minus sign” or enter U+00B1.
HTML: ± or ±
Excel / Google Sheets: =UNICHAR(177)

Examples

Margin of error ±3%
Length: 50 mm ± 0.1 mm
x = (−b ± √(b² − 4ac)) / 2a
Arrive ±10 minutes early

Good to know

Don’t mix it up: Often confused with the minus-or-plus sign ∓ (U+2213), which is the same shape upside down and used in paired expressions.

Tip: In technical writing, put spaces on both sides when it separates a value from its uncertainty (5.0 ± 0.1).

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.