Minus-Or-Plus Sign ∓

∓ (U+2213) 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: Minus-Or-Plus Sign is part of the Symbols family (block: Mathematical Operators). 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 MINUS-OR-PLUS SIGN is a standard mathematical symbol in the Common script. In formulas, it marks an operation that can be subtraction or addition depending on context. This makes it useful when a value could change sign or when a result might vary by a positive or negative amount. In simple equations, it lets writers show two possible outcomes without writing two separate expressions. In user interfaces, the symbol can signal a choice between adding or removing or between opposite operations, helping users understand what a control will do. The symbol belongs to the Mathematical Operators block and is supported by most fonts and software. It appears in textbooks, notes, and digital documents where compact notation is helpful. Historically, such symbols emerged to reduce clutter in formulas and to convey ambiguity in a single mark. Today it remains a practical shorthand for dual possibilities in math and UI design. As with other math signs, correct rendering depends on font choice and software support, but the idea remains the same: one symbol can indicate two related operations at once.

Copy and input: the quickest method is to copy the character here. You can also insert it by its codepoint U+2213 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.