The nabla ∇ is an inverted triangle used as the gradient operator in vector calculus. Type 2207 then Alt+X in Word. The name comes from a Greek harp of similar shape. Depending on how it is combined, it gives gradient, divergence or curl.
01 All shortcuts at a glance
| Platform | Shortcut | |
|---|---|---|
| Windows (any app) | Win+. or Win+; emoji/symbol picker, or Character Map (Win+R → charmap) |
|
| Mac | Control+Command+Space to open Character Viewer, search "Nabla" |
|
| Word / Outlook | Type 2207, then press Alt+X |
|
| Linux (IBus) | Ctrl+Shift+U, then 2207, then Enter |
|
| HTML / CSS | ∇ · \2207 (CSS) |
02 Step by step, per platform
A real, followable procedure for every platform, not a thin restatement of the shortcut.
Windows
- Open Character Map: Win+R, type charmap, press Enter.
- Search or scroll for Nabla (U+2207).
- Select it, click Copy, then paste where you need it.
Mac
- Press Control+Command+Space to open the Character Viewer.
- Type "Nabla" in the search field.
- Double-click the result to insert it.
Microsoft Word
- Type 2207.
- 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+25BD) | White down-pointing triangle, a geometric shape | A drawing element with no operator spacing or meaning. |
| ∆ (U+2206) | Increment, the upright triangle | A difference. Nabla is deliberately its inversion, and the two are distinct operators. |
| Δ upside down | A rotated Greek letter | Never. Rotation is not encoding, and it will not copy or search correctly. |
05 FAQ
What is the Unicode code point for nabla?
It is U+2207, decimal 8711. There is no Windows Alt code for it.
What does ∇ actually do?
Alone it gives the gradient of a scalar field, a vector pointing in the direction of steepest increase. With a dot it gives divergence, and with a cross it gives curl.
Why is it called nabla?
The name was suggested in the 1870s after the nabla, an ancient harp with a triangular frame. Hamilton, who introduced the operator, called it something else entirely.
What is the difference from the Laplacian?
The Laplacian is nabla squared, written ∇² or with the increment symbol ∆. It is the divergence of the gradient, and it appears throughout physics.
How do I type it in an equation?
Type 2207 and press Alt+X in Word. In LaTeX it is nabla, which also gets the operator spacing right.