The prime ′ has no Windows Alt code, so copy it or type 2032 then Alt+X in Word. It marks feet in measurement, minutes in an angle or a coordinate, and a derived variable in mathematics. It leans slightly, unlike the straight apostrophe.
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 "Prime" |
|
| Word / Outlook | Type 2032, then press Alt+X |
|
| Linux (IBus) | Ctrl+Shift+U, then 2032, then Enter |
|
| HTML / CSS | ′ · \2032 (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 Prime (U+2032).
- Select it, click Copy, then paste where you need it.
Mac
- Press Control+Command+Space to open the Character Viewer.
- Type "Prime" in the search field.
- Double-click the result to insert it.
Microsoft Word
- Type 2032.
- 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+0027) | Apostrophe, the straight keyboard character | For contractions and possessives. It is upright, where the prime slopes. |
| ’ (U+2019) | Right single quotation mark, the curly apostrophe | The typographic apostrophe. Autocorrect often inserts it where a prime was meant. |
| ´ (U+00B4) | Acute accent | A spacing accent for letters. It is not a measurement mark. |
05 FAQ
What is the Unicode code point for the prime?
It is U+2032, decimal 8242. There is no Windows Alt code, since it falls outside the Windows-1252 code page.
What is the difference between a prime and an apostrophe?
A prime is a measurement mark that slopes forward and is used for feet, minutes and derivatives. An apostrophe is punctuation for contractions and possessives. They are separate characters and should not be swapped.
How do I write five feet six inches?
As 5′6″, using a prime for feet and a double prime for inches. Straight quotes are a common substitute but are technically wrong.
What does a prime mean in mathematics?
It marks a related quantity, most often a derivative, so f′(x) is the derivative of f(x). It can also distinguish a transformed variable, as in x′.
Why does my prime turn into a curly quote?
Smart-quote autocorrect converts anything that looks like an apostrophe. Paste the real character afterwards, or turn smart quotes off while typing measurements.