The partial differential ∂ marks a derivative taken with respect to one variable while the others are held fixed. Type 2202 then Alt+X in Word. It is a distinct character from a cursive d, and using an italic d changes the meaning of the expression.
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 "Partial Differential" |
|
| Word / Outlook | Type 2202, then press Alt+X |
|
| Linux (IBus) | Ctrl+Shift+U, then 2202, then Enter |
|
| HTML / CSS | ∂ · \2202 (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 Partial Differential (U+2202).
- Select it, click Copy, then paste where you need it.
Mac
- Press Control+Command+Space to open the Character Viewer.
- Type "Partial Differential" in the search field.
- Double-click the result to insert it.
Microsoft Word
- Type 2202.
- Press Alt+X immediately after, it converts the hex code to ∂.
03 Troubleshooting & confusables
| Looks like it | But it's actually | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| d (U+0064) | The letter d, used for an ordinary derivative | For a function of one variable. Swapping the two is a real mathematical error. |
| ð (U+00F0) | Latin small letter eth | An Icelandic and Faroese letter. It has a crossbar the partial sign lacks. |
| δ (U+03B4) | Greek small letter delta | For a small change or a variation, not a partial derivative. |
04 FAQ
What is the Unicode code point for the partial differential?
It is U+2202, decimal 8706. There is no Windows Alt code for it.
When do I use ∂ instead of d?
Use ∂ when the function has more than one variable and you are differentiating with respect to just one of them. Use d for a function of a single variable.
How is it read aloud?
Usually as "partial", so ∂f/∂x is read "partial f partial x", or "the partial derivative of f with respect to x".
Is it a Greek letter?
No, despite its appearance. It is a stylised cursive d, introduced by Legendre and popularised by Jacobi, and Unicode places it among the mathematical operators.
What is the upside-down triangle version?
That is nabla at U+2207, which collects the partial derivatives of a function into a single gradient vector.