Division Sign ÷ Copy and Paste

Tap ÷ to copy the obelus, the sign on every calculator key and primary-school worksheet. The table shows how to type it, and the article explains when a slash or a fraction bar is the better choice.

÷

DIVISION SIGN

U+00F7 · tap the symbol to copy

How to Type the Division Sign

UnicodeU+00F7 DIVISION SIGN
HTML÷ or ÷
WindowsAlt + 0247 (numeric keypad); or type 00F7 then Alt + X in Word
MacOption + /
iPhoneNot on the built-in keyboard; add a Text Replacement under Settings → General → Keyboard, or copy from this page
AndroidGboard: tap ?123, then =\< for the second page; ÷ sits on the top row beside ×
LaTeX\div

Division Sign Variants and Lookalikes

Using the Division Sign

The division sign, or obelus, is a horizontal bar with a dot above and below. The Swiss mathematician Johann Rahn used it for division in 1659, and the shape stuck in English-speaking schools and on calculator keypads even though most other countries teach division with a colon or a fraction bar. In its long history the same mark has also indicated doubtful passages in manuscripts and, in Scandinavian bookkeeping, subtraction, which is why the ISO 80000-2 standard advises against it in scientific work.

When to use ÷

In algebra and anything beyond secondary school, write the fraction a/b or stack it, and reserve ÷ for arithmetic between plain numbers. Spreadsheets and every programming language use the slash, so =A1/B1 works and =A1÷B1 does not.

Spacing and layout

Give the sign a space on each side, as with the multiplication sign: 20 ÷ 5. It is centred on the maths axis, level with the bar of the plus sign, and it should never be built from a colon and a hyphen or a dash with two full stops. The plus-minus symbol and ÷ share the same Latin-1 block, so both have proper Windows Alt codes and both appear in every font that carries accented letters.

Typing on each platform

Windows accepts Alt + 0247 wherever a numeric keypad exists, and Word will turn the hex code 00F7 into ÷ when you press Alt + X. On a Mac the shortcut is Option + /, one of the few maths signs with a single-key route. Gboard on Android puts ÷ on the second symbols page next to ×, while the iPhone keyboard leaves it out entirely, so iOS users tend to paste it or set up a text replacement.

÷ versus ➗

The emoji ➗ is a separate character, HEAVY DIVISION SIGN, drawn as a bold obelus on a coloured square. It belongs with ➕, ➖ and ✖️ in the emoji arithmetic set and is meant for stickers, polls and maths-themed captions rather than for expressions. Inside a sum, use the text character on this page so that the whole equation renders in one weight and style.

Social and creative uses

Beyond homework, ÷ works as a compact divider between bio lines, mirroring the ⋅ and · dots that decorate handles. Ed Sheeran's 2017 album carried the sign as its title, pronounced "Divide", which sent searches for the character soaring; fans still write it in captions as ÷. If you want a matching look for the rest of a bio, the typewriter fonts generator gives numerals and operators a worksheet feel.

Division Sign FAQ

What is the Alt code for the division sign?

Alt + 0247, typed on the numeric keypad while holding Alt. This works across Windows because ÷ is part of the Latin-1 block. Inside Word, 00F7 followed by Alt + X gives the same result without a keypad.

How do I type ÷ on a Mac?

Press Option + / (the forward slash key). It is a system-wide shortcut on the US, UK and most other Latin layouts, so it works in Pages, Mail, Safari and every text field.

Is the division sign called an obelus?

Yes. Obelus is the traditional name for the bar-with-two-dots mark, from the Greek word for a roasting spit. Before it meant division, scribes used the same symbol to flag suspect lines in a manuscript.

Why do some countries not use ÷?

Much of continental Europe teaches division with a colon (12 : 4) or a fraction bar, and in some Scandinavian contexts ÷ historically meant subtraction. The ISO standard for mathematical notation therefore recommends the slash or a fraction, keeping ÷ for elementary arithmetic.

Can I divide in Excel with the ÷ symbol?

No. Formulas need the slash: =A1/B1. Typing ÷ inside a formula produces a #NAME? error or is treated as text. Use ÷ only in labels and text cells.

What is the difference between ÷ and ➗?

÷ is the plain text character U+00F7, shown in the same font as the words around it. ➗ is the emoji U+2797, rendered as a bold, coloured symbol on phones and in chat apps. Keep the text version in equations and the emoji for decoration.