Superscript Minus ⁻

⁻ (U+207B) is a standard Unicode character that you can copy and paste anywhere text is accepted. This page provides a concise reference with safe tips, internal links, and practical guidance so you can use it reliably across apps and platforms.

What it is and where it’s used: Superscript Minus is part of the Symbols family (block: Superscripts and Subscripts). If you need styled or decorative alternatives, try our Fancy Text tool to generate compatible text that works in most modern interfaces.

History & usage: The SUPERSCRIPT MINUS (U+207B) is a small dash placed above the baseline. It belongs to the Superscripts and Subscripts block. Historically, superscripts were used in math and in early scientific notation. Today, the symbol appears in many fonts and formats. In formulas, Common math symbols indicate operations or comparisons in formulas and user interfaces, and the superscript minus signals a negative exponent. It can also indicate a negative power or a negative index in a sequence. In user interfaces, the character helps show exponents or signs without changing the main line of text. Typographers and programmers include it to keep math and chemistry notation clear. The symbol is usually smaller than the main line and sits higher. It is used with digits or variables to show powers like x⁻². Some keyboards provide a way to insert it as a Unicode character or through a math editor. Overall, the superscript minus is a precise tool for compact notation. Its simple shape makes it easy to read in dense formulas and interfaces.

Copy and input: the quickest method is to copy the character here. You can also insert it by its codepoint U+207B in many development tools or editors. Some operating systems provide a character viewer or input palette that lets you search by name or code and insert the glyph into documents.

Display and fallback: if you see an empty box (tofu) or a placeholder rectangle, the active font might not include this codepoint. Switching to a font with broader Unicode coverage or using a fallback font usually fixes the issue. On the web, ensure the page’s font stack includes a general‑purpose fallback.

Related references: browse the Categories for similar characters. When choosing a symbol, prefer the official codepoint for semantic clarity and better compatibility with search, copy, and accessibility tooling.

See our category page for related symbols.