Doing statistical analysis or about to give a temperature range? You need not write “plus or minus” laboriously; you can type ± swiftly instead (or ∓). Find out here how to insert the plus or minus symbol ( ± ) on a Mac using the keyboard, text replacement and character viewer.
First, Fair-Weather Rocks in the Sky
A cloud, around the 13th century, is a rock, of course, or a hill perhaps (it sounds like “clod”, after all).
Then, a new, metaphoric, meaning seems to creep in, and it has since wholly replaced that original earthen one. Clouds, today, are only the watery white masses in the sky that sometimes resemble rocks or hills.
Now, when clouds are plus or minus rocks, vapors plus or minus clouds, and etymological histories plus or minus accurate, I guess it’s time to find out how to write “plus or minus” (with 2 keys ±1):
How to Insert the Plus or Minus Symbol ( ± ) on a Mac
With the Keyboard Directly
Time needed: 1 minute
To type the plus or minus symbol ( ± ) using the keyboard on a Mac:
- Position the text cursor where you want to insert the ± sign.
Here’s where: Use the plus or minus sign to indicate a range of possible values, for instance; see below for examples.
- Press Shift §.
Where to look: The section key § is the leftmost key right above the Tab key.
Other keyboard layouts: The key combination above works on the US-English keyboard for the ± sign; see below for finding the corresponding combination for other keyboard layouts.
On Windows? How to Make the Plus and Minus Sign on Windows
Using Character Viewer
To insert the plus or minus (as well as the minus or plus) sign using macOS Character Viewer:
- Select Edit | Emoji & Symbols from the menu.
Mac keyboard shortcut: Press 🌐︎ or Fn E to open the emoji panel or Character Viewer. - Type plus-minus in the Search field.
Minus-or-plus: For the minus or plus sign (which has the minus sign above the plus sign), typeminus-or-plusinstead. - Double-click the plus or minus sign to insert it.
Find the Key Combination for ± on Your Keyboard
To find the keys that will lead your Mac to inserting a plus-or-minus sign in text:
- Open keyboard Viewer on the Mac:
- Typically, press the Shift key.
- Look for the key labelled ±.
- Try pressing the Option key and Option Shift if Shift alone did not reveal the ± key.
Here are a few examples for key combinations for the plus or minus sign:
| Keyboard | Plus or Minus Sign ± |
|---|---|
| French | Option Shift = |
| German | Option + |
| Italian | Option Shift ì |
| Pinyin | Option Shift = |
| Spanish | Option Shift ¿ |
How to Insert the Plus or Minus Symbol ( ± ) on a Mac: FAQ
Can I enter the ± and the ∓ signs using Unicode?
Yes.
To input the Unicode symbols for the plus or minus sign:
- Turn on and switch to Mac Unicode Hey Input.
- Press (and keep pressed) the Option key.
- Type 00B1.
Minus or plus: For ∓ type 2213. - Let go of the Option key.
Can I copy and paste the symbols?
Yes.
Use the list below to copy the symbol you would like to paste and insert:
± | |
∓ |
Can I use the plus or minus symbol in HTML?
In HTML, use the following codes to insert the signs:
±for ±∓for ∓.
Where can I use the plus or minus sign?
Use the plus or minus sign to indicate ranges and in mathematics, for instance.
Examples:
Maintain a temperature of 26° Ré ±0.5°.
(How to insert the plus or minus symbol (±) on a Mac keyboard tested with macOS Sonoma 14.0–14.3 and Ventura 13.3; first published May 2023, last updated April 2024)