The delta symbol is Δ. Windows has no standard Alt code for it, so the quickest route is Word’s built-in trick: type 0394, then press Alt+X. On a Mac, open the Character Viewer with Ctrl+Cmd+Space and search for delta. Both drop the Greek capital delta straight into your text.
Quick reference
| Method | Input | Works in |
|---|---|---|
| Windows Alt code | No standard Alt code | Use another method below |
| Windows, Unicode-aware apps | 0394 then Alt+X in Word (decimal), numeric keypad | WordPad and similar apps |
| Word, Outlook, OneNote | 0394 (hex) then Alt+X | Word, Outlook, OneNote |
| Mac | Character Viewer (Ctrl+Cmd+Space) | Most Mac apps |
| Excel & Google Sheets | =UNICHAR(916) | Excel, Google Sheets |
| Chromebook | Ctrl+Shift+U then 0394 (hex) | ChromeOS text fields |
| HTML (named) | Δ | Web pages |
| HTML (numeric) | Δ or Δ | Web pages |
| CSS | \0394 | CSS content |
| LaTeX | \Delta | Math typesetting |
| Unicode code point | U+0394 | Universal |
Type Δ on Windows
Windows has no Alt code for the delta sign in the standard Western character set, so codes like the verified method shown in the table will not produce it, and there is no legacy DOS code either. Two things actually work.
Character Map
- Press the Windows key, type Character Map, and open it.
- Tick Advanced view, then type 0394 in the Go to Unicode box, or type delta in the search field and click Search.
- Click Δ, click Select, then Copy, and paste it where you need it.
The Unicode Alt code (some apps only)
In Unicode-aware programs such as WordPad, hold Alt and type 916 on the numeric keypad with Num Lock on, then release Alt. That 916 is the decimal code point, not a classic Alt code, and it fails in many places including Notepad and most browser fields.
If your keyboard has no numeric keypad, or the app ignores the code, use Word’s method below or paste the character. The emoji and symbol panel (Win + .) carries math and language symbols under the Ω tab, but Greek capital letters are not reliably listed there, so Character Map stays the dependable pick on Windows.
Type Δ on a Mac
Mac has no Alt code and no Option shortcut for delta, so the Character Viewer is your tool.
- Press Ctrl+Cmd+Space in any text field.
- Type delta in the search box.
- Double-click Δ, the Greek capital letter delta, to insert it.
If you write Greek often, add the Greek input source under System Settings → Keyboard. With that layout active, the delta key alone gives δ and Shift plus that key gives Δ. Otherwise, copy the symbol from the button near the top of this page.
Type Δ in Word, Outlook, and OneNote
The fastest way anywhere in Word is Alt+X. Type 0394, then press Alt+X, and the four characters flip to Δ. That code is hexadecimal, and pressing Alt+X again right after toggles it back if you want to double-check. The same trick works in Outlook and OneNote, but not in Excel or PowerPoint.
Two more routes if you prefer menus. Insert → Symbol → More Symbols, set Subset to Greek and Coptic, click Δ, then Insert; the identical Insert → Symbol dialog is also in PowerPoint. For repeated use, open the equation editor with Alt and =, type \Delta followed by a space, and Word’s math AutoCorrect converts it to Δ.
Type Δ in Excel and Google Sheets
Neither one uses Alt+X. In Excel, the cleanest way is the formula =UNICHAR(916), which returns Δ. To keep it as plain text, copy the cell and use Paste Special → Values. Excel also has Insert → Symbol (Insert tab → Symbols → Symbol) if you would rather click.
Google Sheets has no Insert Symbol menu at all. Use the same =UNICHAR(916) formula, or paste Δ into the cell. If you paste with an operating-system input method, press F2 first to put the cell into edit mode.
Type Δ in Google Docs
- Open Insert → Special characters.
- Type delta in the search box, or draw the triangle shape in the sketch panel.
- Click Δ in the results to drop it at your cursor.
Type Δ on iPhone and Android
Neither phone keyboard has a Greek key by default, so pick one of these three.
- Add a Greek keyboard. iPhone: Settings → General → Keyboard → Keyboards → Add New Keyboard → Greek, then switch with the globe key and press Shift plus the delta key for Δ. Android: Gboard settings → Languages → add Greek, then switch layouts.
- Set a text replacement. iPhone: Settings → General → Keyboard → Text Replacement, map a phrase like deltasym to Δ. Android: Gboard → Dictionary → Personal dictionary, add Δ with a shortcut.
- Copy Δ from the button near the top of this page and paste it.
Type Δ on a Chromebook
ChromeOS has no Alt codes, so use the built-in Unicode input.
- Click into a text field.
- Hold Ctrl+Shift+U; an underlined u appears.
- Type 0394, the hex code with no U+ prefix, then press Enter or Space.
The character picker at Launcher+Shift+Space, or the Quick Insert key on newer Chromebooks, is another route. Some websites intercept Ctrl+Shift+U; if nothing happens, paste Δ instead.
Type Δ in Notion, Slack, Discord, and Canva
None of these has a symbol picker or a delta shortcut, so the answer is the same for all four: paste Δ from the copy button above. If you use it a lot, create a text replacement on your Mac (System Settings → Keyboard → Text Replacements) or your phone so a short trigger expands to Δ automatically, including inside Slack, Discord, Notion, and Canva.
Type Δ in HTML and CSS
On the web, the named entity is Δ. The numeric references are Δ (decimal) and Δ (hex, note the x). In CSS, use the escape \0394, for example .icon::before { content: "\0394"; }
. All of these resolve to the same Greek capital delta.
Troubleshooting Δ
Δ sits in the basic Greek block that nearly every font ships with, so it rarely breaks. When it does, here is what is going on.
- It shows as □ or ?: the current font has no Greek coverage, which mostly affects decorative or icon fonts. Switch the text to Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman, or another standard font.
- You typed the wrong delta: the math increment operator ∆ (U+2206) looks identical to the Greek capital letter Δ (U+0394) but is a separate character. A spell checker, a find-and-replace, or an equation tool can treat them differently. Word’s 0394 then Alt+X and the equation editor’s \Delta both give the Greek letter.
- You wanted the small version: lowercase delta δ is a different character used for small or partial change. Search “delta” in Google Docs special characters or the Mac Character Viewer and pick the lowercase form.
- 0394 then Alt+X in Word does nothing: it only works in Unicode-aware apps and needs the numeric keypad with Num Lock on. Laptops without a keypad cannot use it, so fall back to Word’s Alt+X or paste.
What the delta symbol is used for
In math and science, uppercase Δ means change or difference: ΔT for a temperature change, Δx for displacement, ΔG for Gibbs free energy. It is the discriminant in the quadratic formula and the Laplace operator (Δ = ∇²).
In chemistry, a Δ over a reaction arrow means heat is applied, and in options trading, delta measures how a contract’s price moves with the underlying asset. The lowercase δ handles small or partial change, while the capital Δ handles the overall difference.
Related Greek letters
Delta is one of several Greek letters that do heavy lifting in equations, and a few get mixed up with it. Where delta measures a difference, uppercase sigma sums a series; here is how to type the Sigma symbol (Σ). Theta usually marks an angle, so the Theta symbol (θ) guide covers that one.
Phi appears in the golden ratio, which puts the Phi symbol (φ) in a lot of formulas. Omega turns up in resistance and angular frequency; see the Omega symbol (Ω). And for circles and trigonometry, the Pi symbol (π) in Word and Excel follows the same methods as this page.
Frequently asked questions
Why doesn’t the verified method shown in the table work on Windows?
Because 0394 is a hexadecimal Unicode value, not a Windows Alt code, and the standard Western character set has no Alt code for Δ at all. Typing the verified method shown in the table on the keypad gives you the wrong character or nothing. In Word, type 0394 and press Alt+X instead; anywhere else, paste it or use =UNICHAR(916) in a spreadsheet.
Does =UNICHAR(916) create a character I can reuse elsewhere?
Yes. The formula returns the real Δ character, so you can copy the cell, choose Paste Special → Values to strip the formula, and then paste that plain Δ into any other program, including email and web forms.
How do I type lowercase delta (δ) instead of the capital?
δ is a separate character. In Google Docs use Insert → Special characters and search delta; on a Mac use the Character Viewer; in Word open Insert → Symbol under the Greek and Coptic subset and pick the lowercase form. With a Greek keyboard active, the delta key alone gives δ and Shift gives Δ.
Is the Δ I typed the same one a math checker expects?
Not always. Screens show the Greek capital Δ and the math increment sign ∆ identically, but they are different Unicode characters.
If an equation editor or scientific tool flags your delta, it may want the increment operator rather than the Greek letter. Typing it inside Word’s equation editor with \Delta keeps things consistent.
What is the LaTeX command for delta?
Uppercase is \Delta and lowercase is \delta. Both need math mode, for example $\Delta t$ for a time change. The increment operator has its own command, so use \Delta whenever you mean the Greek letter.
Related guides
- Look up what does and doesn’t have a code with the Alt code finder.
- Explore more math and science symbols.
- See every code together in the complete Alt code list.