How to Insert the Minute Symbol ( ′ ) on a Mac

Wish you could insert the shorthands for feet and inches on your Mac? Trying to mark minutes and seconds of arc or use the prime symbol for math and science? Find out here how to insert the minute symbol ( ′ ), second sign ( ″ ) and the prime symbols on a Mac easily and without fuss.

First, Try This Angle of Attack

When you want to cut not into skin but through what stubbles have grown beyond it, the angle between skin and razor blade is of great concern.

Tradition dictates an angle of attack of 30°, and most safety razors aim to guide you to follow that advice. My hunch (not measurement) is that I prefer slightly shallower angles… but who am I to disagree?

So, let’s start with an angle of 1,800 arcmins… and with finding out how to write those smaller increments of angular measures:

How to Insert Minute Symbol ( ′ ) and Second Sign ( ″ ) on a Mac

Using Mac Character Viewer for the Minute and Second Symbols

On Windows? How to Input Foot and Inch Symbols on Windows

Copying and Pasting the Minute and Second Symbols

To copy the minute (prime) and second (double prime) signs for pasting anywhere on a Mac, use the table below:

prime, arc minute or foot ′	copy
double prime, arc second or inch ″	copy
triple prime ‴	copy
quadruple prime ⁗	copy

Prime Modifying Letters

In particular for mathematics, you can also use the modifying prime signs, which modify (and attach more closely to) the character before.
Example: $\mathrm{fʹ}(x)=2x$

modifying single prime ʹ	copy
modifying double prime ʺ	copy

Set up Text Replacements for the Minute and Second Symbols

If you employ them frequently, you can, of course, also insert the prime symbols using text replacement.

To set up text replacement for minute symbol and second sign on a Mac:

1. Open your Mac’s System Settings.
2. Go to the Keyboard category.
3. Select Text Replacements… under Text Input.
4. Click ＋.
5. Type the character sequence you want to use for inserting the minute or second sign.
   Example: Use arcm for the symbol ′.
6. Now enter the desired symbol under With.
   Here’s how: You can use Character Viewer or copy and paste the symbol; see above.
7. Click Add.
   
8. Now click Done.

When you type the text replacement shortcut, macOS will now suggest the configured symbol as an auto-completion and insert it if you follow up with whitespace or punctuation. You can also use text replacement on an iPhone to insert the minute and second symbols.

Also in Word: How to Insert Foot and Inch Marks in Word

How to Insert Minute Symbol and Second Sign on a Mac: FAQ

Are the minute and seconds symbols somewhere on the keyboard?

No.

The standard keyboard layouts do not include keys or key combinations to insert the minute and second signs directly.

Can I use the single or double quotation marks to stand in for minute and second?

Yes.

You can use the single straight quote ( ' ) for minutes and the double straight quotation mark ( " ) for seconds.
Example: Yesterday, I practiced for 4' 33".

It is best not to use a curly apostrophe or typographic quotation marks to stand in for the minute and second signs as their curly nature differs significantly from what the prime and double prime symbols should look like.

Best	OK	Avoid
4′ 33″	4' 33"	4’ 33”

The font I’m using does not include the minute and second symbols; what can I do?

If the typeface you have chosen for your text does not include the prime or double prime symbols, do change the font just for the desired symbol.

Can I safely share documents using the characters? Will they display all right for recipients?

If you use a document format that includes the fonts and preserves formatting — such as PDF — , the minute and second marks will display fine on other systems.

When you share documents in a format in which typefaces are not embedded, it is possible recipients will not see the symbols as intended. In this case, it is safest to use straight quotes as substitutes.

Can I insert the prime symbols using Unicode directly?

Yes.

To input the symbols for foot and inch (or minute and second) directly using their Unicode code point:

1. Enable and switch to Unicode Hex Input on the Mac.
2. Press and hold Option.
3. Type
   2 0 3 2 for the minute symbol ′,
   2 0 3 3 for the second symbol ″,
   2 0 3 4 for the triple prime sign ‴ and
   2 0 5 7 for the quadruple prime sign ⁗.
4. Let go of the Option key.

Also on Linux: How to Input a Prime Sign ( ′ ) on Linux

(Tested with macOS Tahoe 26.0 and Sequoia 15.3; first published March 2025, last updated December 2025)