The beta symbol is β. There’s no dedicated Windows Alt code for it, so type 03B2 then Alt+X in Word on the numeric keypad in a Unicode-aware app, or type 03B2 and press Alt+X in Word.
On Mac, open the Character Viewer with Ctrl+Cmd+Space and search for “beta. ” Its Unicode code point is U+03B2.
Beta symbol quick reference
| Method | Input | Works in |
|---|---|---|
| Windows (Unicode apps) | 03B2 then Alt+X in Word (decimal, numeric keypad) | Word, WordPad, browsers — not every app |
| Windows Character Map | Search “beta” | Any Windows app |
| Mac Character Viewer | Ctrl+Cmd+Space, search “beta” | Any Mac app |
| Word / Outlook / OneNote | Type 03B2 (hex), then Alt+X | Word, Outlook, OneNote |
| Excel & Google Sheets | =UNICHAR(946) | Excel, Google Sheets |
| Chromebook / Linux | Ctrl+Shift+U, then 03b2 (hex) | ChromeOS and Linux text fields |
| HTML | β or β | Web pages |
| CSS content | \03B2 | Stylesheets |
| LaTeX | \beta | Math typesetting |
| Unicode code point | U+03B2 | Universal reference |
Watch the number base. The Alt code takes a decimal value (946).
Word’s Alt+X, the Chromebook shortcut, and CSS all take the hex value (03B2). They point to the same character with different numbers, so don’t carry one into the other.
Type the beta symbol on Windows
Beta has no Alt code in the Windows-1252 table, so there’s no reliable Alt+0xxx form. The decimal Unicode value does work in apps that read Unicode input.
- Put the cursor where you want β.
- Hold Alt and type 946 on the numeric keypad.
- Release Alt. The β appears.
This needs a real numeric keypad, and it only works in Unicode-aware apps like Word, WordPad, and browser fields. It fails in some older or lightweight programs. When it doesn’t take, open Character Map from the Start menu, search “beta,” pick GREEK SMALL LETTER BETA, then copy.
The emoji panel (Win+. ) can also insert it from its symbols tab.
Type the beta symbol on Mac
Mac has no Alt codes and no single-key shortcut for beta. Use the Character Viewer.
- Press Ctrl+Cmd+Space to open the Character Viewer.
- Type beta in its search box.
- Double-click GREEK SMALL LETTER BETA to insert it.
If you type Greek often, add the Greek keyboard in System Settings under Keyboard, then press the key mapped to b. For a one-off, the Character Viewer is faster.
Beta symbol in Word (and PowerPoint)
Word has the cleanest route: type the hex code and convert it in place.
- Type 03B2 where you want the symbol.
- Press Alt+X. The code flips to β.
The same Alt+X trick works in Outlook and OneNote. For a menu route, go to Insert → Symbol → More Symbols, set the subset to Greek and Coptic, and pick β.
That Insert → Symbol path also works in PowerPoint, which has no Alt+X of its own. If you use β constantly, set an AutoCorrect entry (for example, type “\beta”) under File → Options → Proofing.
Beta symbol in Excel and Google Sheets
Alt+X does not work in Excel, so use the formula instead.
- Excel: enter =UNICHAR(946) in a cell, or use Insert → Symbol.
- Google Sheets: enter =UNICHAR(946). Sheets has no Insert → Symbol menu at all.
To convert the formula to a plain character, copy the cell and paste it back as values. If you want to key β straight into a Sheets cell with an OS input method, press F2 first to enter edit mode.
Beta symbol in Google Docs
Google Docs has a proper symbol picker with a draw-to-search box.
- Open Insert → Special characters.
- Type beta in the search field, or draw the shape in the sketch box.
- Click β to drop it into the document.
Beta symbol on iPhone and Android
Neither phone keyboard has β on a long-press. The reliable path is a text replacement, which turns a short trigger into the symbol everywhere you type.
- iPhone: Settings → General → Keyboard → Text Replacement. Set the phrase to β and a shortcut like “bbeta.”
- Android: Settings → System → Languages & input → Personal dictionary. Add β with a shortcut word.
For a single use, paste β from this page or add the Greek keyboard in your language settings and switch to it when you need it.
Beta symbol on Chromebook
ChromeOS has no Alt codes, and a plugged-in numpad won’t change that. Use the Unicode shortcut instead.
- Press Ctrl+Shift+U. A small underlined u appears.
- Type 03b2 — the hex value, no U+ prefix.
- Press Enter or Space.
Some web fields intercept the shortcut. When that happens, open the picker with Launcher+Shift+Space (or the Quick Insert key on newer models), or just paste the symbol.
Beta symbol in Notion, Slack, Discord, and Canva
None of these have a built-in beta shortcut. Paste β and move on. If you type it regularly, lean on each app’s own shortcut layer.
- Notion: paste, or use an inline equation (type /equation and enter \beta).
- Slack: no shortcut, set a text replacement at the OS level so your trigger expands to β.
- Discord: paste it; Discord has no symbol menu.
- Canva: paste into any text box. It keeps the character in whatever font supports it.
Beta symbol in HTML and CSS
For web pages, the named entity reads clearest.
- HTML named: β
- HTML numeric: β (decimal) or β (hex — note the x)
- CSS content: \03B2
Troubleshooting the beta symbol
The most common mix-up is with the German eszett, ß. They look close but they’re different characters with different jobs: β is a Greek letter, ß is a Latin ligature used in German words like “Straße.” Autocorrect in Word sometimes swaps one for the other, so check which one landed if the shape looks slightly off.
If β shows as a box (□) or a question mark, the current font has no Greek glyph. Switch to a font with full Greek coverage such as Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman, or DejaVu Sans and it will render. In code editors, make sure the file is saved as UTF-8, or the character can break on reload.
What the beta symbol is used for
β turns up across the sciences and finance. In statistics it labels regression coefficients and the Type II error rate.
In finance it’s a stock’s beta, a measure of volatility against the market. Physics uses it for beta particles and beta decay, and software teams tag pre-release builds as “beta” versions.
Related symbols
Beta rarely travels alone. A few Greek and math symbols people reach for in the same breath:
- Theta (θ), the angle letter, easy to confuse with a zero or a phi in some fonts.
- Phi (φ) — the golden-ratio letter, a circle with a vertical stroke.
- Psi (ψ), the trident-shaped letter used in physics and psychology.
- Infinity (∞), the sideways figure eight from calculus and limits.
- Square root (√), the radical sign that pairs with beta in equations.
Frequently asked questions
Is the beta symbol the same as the German ß?
No. β is GREEK SMALL LETTER BETA (U+03B2). ß is the German eszett (U+00DF), a Latin ligature. They look similar but sit in different Unicode blocks and mean different things, so use β for math and Greek text, ß only for German words.
Why does 03B2 then Alt+X in Word do nothing in some programs?
That method depends on the app reading decimal Unicode input, and not every app does. Word and browsers handle it; some lightweight editors ignore it. When it fails, use Character Map or paste the symbol instead.
How do I type a capital Beta (Β)?
Capital Beta looks almost identical to a Latin capital B, so many documents just use B. For the true Greek letter, open Insert → Symbol in Word and choose it from the Greek and Coptic subset, or search “capital beta” in the Character Viewer on Mac.
Can I get beta into Excel without a formula?
Yes. Use Insert → Symbol, set the subset to Greek and Coptic, and pick β.
You can also paste it from anywhere. The =UNICHAR(946) formula is handy when you’re generating text dynamically.
Why does beta look different in another font?
Some fonts draw β with a descender that dips below the baseline, others keep it compact. Both are the same character. If it renders as a box or question mark, the font has no Greek glyph and you need to switch fonts.
Related guides
For symbols you can’t key directly, the Alt code finder tool looks up any character fast. Browse the math and science symbol guides for the rest of the Greek alphabet and operators, or work through the full Alt code list when you want every code in one place.