How to Type Division Symbol ÷
Keyboard shortcuts for Windows, Mac, Chromebook, iPhone & Android. Type or copy the division sign instantly.
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The division symbol ÷ (also called the obelus) is used in arithmetic to indicate division. While most people use the forward slash / as a substitute, the proper ÷ symbol is preferred in formal mathematics, textbooks, and educational materials.
This guide shows you how to type ÷ on every platform: Windows, Mac, Chromebook, iPhone, Android, and Linux. We also include the multiplication sign × and other arithmetic operators for quick reference.
All math symbols on this page are Unicode characters — they work in any application, from calculators and spreadsheets to social media posts and documents.
Division Symbol FAQ
The alt code for ÷ is Alt+0247. Hold Alt, type 0247 on the numeric keypad, then release. Num Lock must be enabled. This works in all Windows applications.
Press Option+/ (Option plus the forward slash) on Mac to type ÷ directly. This keyboard shortcut works in all Mac applications — no Character Viewer needed.
÷ (obelus, U+00F7) is the traditional mathematical division symbol used in textbooks and formal notation. / (solidus) is a keyboard character used in programming, fractions, and informal math. Both mean division, but ÷ is the typographically correct symbol.
On Windows, use Alt+0215 for ×. On Mac, use the Character Viewer (Control+Command+Space) and search 'multiplication'. On Chromebook/Linux, use Unicode 00D7. In HTML, use ×.
For division calculations, use / (forward slash): =A1/B1. For the ÷ symbol in a cell, use Alt+0247 on Windows or paste it from this page. In Google Sheets, =CHAR(247) also returns ÷.
The ÷ symbol is called an obelus (from Greek 'obelus' meaning 'pointed stick'). It was historically used in manuscripts to mark doubtful passages. Its use as a division sign dates to 1659 when Swiss mathematician Johann Rahn introduced it.