The division sign ÷ is Alt+0247 on Windows and Option+/ on a Mac. Its formal name is the obelus, and the shape is a fraction bar with a dot above and below. It is used in school arithmetic and almost never in higher mathematics.
01 All shortcuts at a glance
| Platform | Shortcut | |
|---|---|---|
| Windows (Alt code) | Hold Alt, type 0247 on the numpad |
|
| Windows (any app) | Win+. or Win+; emoji/symbol picker, or Character Map (Win+R → charmap) |
|
| Mac | Control+Command+Space to open Character Viewer, search "Division Sign" |
|
| Word / Outlook | Type 00F7, then press Alt+X |
|
| Linux (IBus) | Ctrl+Shift+U, then 00f7, then Enter |
|
| HTML / CSS | ÷ · \00f7 (CSS) |
02 Step by step, per platform
A real, followable procedure for every platform, not a thin restatement of the shortcut.
Windows
- Make sure Num Lock is on.
- Hold Alt and type 0247 on the numeric keypad.
- Release Alt, ÷ appears.
Mac
- Press Control+Command+Space to open the Character Viewer.
- Type "Division Sign" in the search field.
- Double-click the result to insert it.
Microsoft Word
- Type 00F7.
- Press Alt+X immediately after, it converts the hex code to ÷.
03 Characters in this set
04 Troubleshooting & confusables
| Looks like it | But it's actually | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| / (U+002F) | Solidus, the forward slash | The usual division operator in code, spreadsheets and typed maths. |
| ⁄ (U+2044) | Fraction slash | For built fractions, where a good font sets the numerals above and below. |
| ∕ (U+2215) | Division slash, the maths operator | The formally correct slash for division in typeset mathematics. |
05 FAQ
What is the Unicode code point for the division sign?
It is U+00F7, decimal 247. Alt+0247 types it on Windows.
Why is it rare in advanced mathematics?
It is ambiguous in a long expression, since 6 ÷ 2(1+2) can be read two ways. Fraction bars and the slash remove that ambiguity, so ISO 80000-2 discourages the obelus entirely.
What is the symbol called?
The obelus, from the Greek for a pointed pillar. It began as an editorial mark for doubtful text and was adopted for division by Johann Rahn in 1659.
What do I type for division in a spreadsheet?
The forward slash. Excel and Google Sheets do not accept ÷ as an operator, and a formula containing it returns an error.
Is ÷ used to mean a range anywhere?
Yes. In some European engineering and older Russian notation it means "to", as in a range of values. This is a genuine source of confusion when reading translated specifications.