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U+03C3 · Greek and Coptic

Sigma (σ)

The lowercase sigma σ is the eighteenth letter of the Greek alphabet. Its best-known use is standard deviation in statistics, which is why quality programs talk about Six Sigma. It also represents electrical conductivity, mechanical stress, and the Stefan–Boltzmann constant in physics, and chemists use it for sigma bonds.

WindowsAlt 229
UnicodeU+03C3
HTMLσ
σU+03C3

Character codes

Unicode code pointU+03C3
Decimal963
HTML named entityσ
HTML (hex)σ
HTML (decimal)σ
CSS\03C3
JavaScript\u03C3
Python\u03C3
UTF-8 bytesCF 83
UTF-1603C3
URL-encoded%CF%83

Character details

Official nameGREEK SMALL LETTER SIGMA
Unicode blockGreek and Coptic
General categoryLowercase Letter (Ll)
SymbolHero categoryGreek Letters
UppercaseΣ Capital Sigma (Σ)
EmojiNo

How to type σ

Windows

  • Hold Alt and type 229 on the numeric keypad (Num Lock on), then release Alt. Alt 229 uses the code page 437.
  • In Microsoft Word or Outlook: type 03C3 then press Alt + X.
  • Open Character Map (search “Character Map” in Start), tick “Advanced view”, search for “greek small letter sigma”, then Select and Copy.

Mac

  • Press Control + Command + Space to open the Character Viewer, search “greek small letter sigma”, and double-click the result.
  • With the Unicode Hex Input keyboard enabled (System Settings → Keyboard → Input Sources), hold Option and type 03C3.

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 sigma” or enter U+03C3.
  • HTML: σ or σ
  • Excel / Google Sheets: =UNICHAR(963)

Examples

  • σ = 15 points
  • within ±2σ of the mean
  • σ-bond between carbon atoms
  • Six Sigma certification

Good to know

Don’t mix it up: It is often confused with the final sigma ς (U+03C2), which Greek uses only at the end of a word.

Tip: In Greek text, write σ inside a word and ς at the end, as in σοφός; in math, always use σ.

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

Capital Sigma (Σ)
Greek Capital Letter Phi
Omega (Capital)
Alpha (α)
Beta (β)
Gamma (γ)
Delta (δ)
Epsilon (ε)
Theta (θ)
Lambda (λ)
Mu (μ)
Pi Symbol
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
Greek Small Letter Pamphylian Digamma
Greek Ypogegrammeni
Greek Small Reversed Lunate Sigma Symbol

See all 333 greek letters →

Questions

What is the Unicode for σ?

It is U+03C3 (GREEK SMALL LETTER SIGMA), decimal 963.

Is there a Windows Alt code for it?

Yes: Alt 229 on the numeric keypad.

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 sigma”, or copy it from this page.

What is the HTML code?

Use the named entity σ or the numeric reference σ.