Proportional symbol
Tap to copy ∝, or learn how to type it on Windows, Mac and phones.
U+221D
Proportional symbol and related symbols
3 symbols, each with its codes and shortcuts.
| Symbol | Name | Code | HTML | Windows | Mac | LaTeX |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proportional to | U+221D | ∝ | \propto | |||
| Tilde operator | U+223C | ∼ | \sim | |||
| Proportion | U+2237 | ∷ |
Meaning of ∝
The ∝ sign means one quantity changes in proportion to another, as in F ∝ a.
Common uses: physics, math and chemistry.
- Unicode name
- Proportional To
- Code point
- U+221D
- Windows
- Alt + X in Word
- Mac
- Character Viewer
How to type ∝
Copy and paste
Tap the ∝ above or any symbol in the table. It goes straight to your clipboard.
Windows
In Word, type 221D and press Alt + X. Outside Word, open the emoji and symbols panel with Windows key + period.
Mac
No shortcut? Control + Command + Space opens the Character Viewer; search for proportional to.
iPhone and Android
Phone keyboards rarely show ∝. Copy it once, then save it as a text shortcut (Settings, General, Keyboard on iPhone; Dictionary or Text shortcuts on most Android keyboards).
HTML
Use ∝ or ∝.
LaTeX
Use \propto in math mode.
Questions people ask
How do I type ∝ on a keyboard?
On Windows, press Windows key + . and search the symbols tab. On a Mac, open the Character Viewer with Control + Command + Space.
How do I type ∝ in Word?
Type 221D and press Alt + X straight after it. Word turns the code into ∝.
What does ∝ mean?
The ∝ sign means one quantity changes in proportion to another, as in F ∝ a.
Where is ∝ used?
Physics, math and chemistry.
More symbols
Updated November 13, 2026