Plus Minus Symbol (±): Meaning, How to Type It, and LaTeX
July 8, 2026
The plus-minus symbol is ±. It means “both the positive and the negative version” — two answers in algebra, or a margin of error in a measurement. Copy it below, or jump to how to type it.
| Character | Unicode | HTML entity | LaTeX | Windows alt code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ± plus-minus | U+00B1 | ± | \pm | Alt + 241 |
| ∓ minus-plus | U+2213 | ∓ | \mp | — |
What the symbol means
| Where | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Algebra | Two solutions at once, as in the quadratic formula |
| Measurement | Uncertainty: 9.81 ± 0.02 means the range 9.79 to 9.83 |
| Engineering | Manufacturing tolerance on a dimension |
| Statistics | Margin of error around an estimate |
| Trigonometry | Paired identities where ∓ tracks the opposite sign |
± as two answers
Squaring destroys sign information, so undoing it gives two results. The radical sign only returns the non-negative root, so the ± has to be written explicitly — this is the single most common place the symbol appears.
± as uncertainty
In a measurement, the number after ± is the uncertainty, and it should carry one or at most two significant figures — with the main value rounded to the same decimal place. Writing 9.8117 ± 0.02 is wrong; the extra digits claim precision the uncertainty says you do not have.
± is not a range operator in code or spreadsheets. It has no arithmetic meaning to a computer — store the value and the uncertainty as two separate numbers.
∓ is a different symbol
Minus-plus exists so that two signs in one identity can be linked in opposition: when the ± is read as plus, the ∓ is read as minus. It only makes sense in a formula that already contains a ±.
How to type it
Windows
- ±: hold
Altand type241on the numeric keypad — or0177, which also works - In Word, type
00B1and pressAlt + X; autocorrect also turns+-into ± in equations - For ∓, use
2213withAlt + X
Mac
- ±:
Option + Shift + = - For ∓, open Character Viewer with
Control + Command + Spaceand search “minus-or-plus”
HTML
±or±for ±∓for ∓
In LaTeX
\pm and \mp are binary operators, so LaTeX spaces them like a plus sign. That spacing is why you should use the command rather than pasting the character.
As a unary sign — “plus or minus five” rather than “a plus or minus b” — LaTeX still adds binary spacing. Wrap it as {\pm}5 to tighten it up.
Frequently asked questions
How do I type ± on a keyboard?
Alt + 241 on Windows with a numeric keypad, or Option + Shift + = on Mac. Otherwise copy it from the card above.
What does ± mean in a measurement?
The uncertainty. 9.81 ± 0.02 means the true value is expected to lie between 9.79 and 9.83.
What is the difference between ± and ∓?
They are read in opposition within the same formula: where ± is plus, ∓ is minus. ∓ is only meaningful alongside a ±.
See also the square root symbol it usually appears with, the not equal symbol, and mathematical symbols in LaTeX.
Try it free
Hours of retyping, gone.
Turn measurement tables and worked algebra into submission-ready LaTeX in seconds — every ±, unit and subscript where it should be.
Convert your paper
Empowering students and researchers with AI-powered tools for academic writing.
Go to appContact us© 2026 Underleaf. All rights reserved.