Minus Sign Symbol
The − minus sign (U+2212) is a typographic subtraction symbol used in math, text, and UI.
U+2212
The symbol − is the Unicode MINUS SIGN (U+2212). It’s commonly used for subtraction and negative numbers in a clean, typographic way. You can copy it directly or insert it using its HTML, CSS, or JavaScript escapes.
Minus Sign Symbol Meaning
The “minus sign” (−) is a typographic symbol for subtraction and the negative sign in mathematical and technical contexts. It’s distinct from the hyphen-minus character (often seen as -), which may look similar but is not the same Unicode code point. Using U+2212 helps ensure consistent spacing and visual clarity when you display numbers like “−3” or expressions like “5 − 2”. In plain text, it’s also helpful for UI labels, status messages, and documentation where you want the subtract/negative sign to read clearly rather than resembling a general punctuation dash.
Common uses
- •Showing subtraction in math and science text
- •Writing negative numbers in documents and spreadsheets
- •Formatting changes in UI, such as “−10%”
- •Rendering numeric deltas in reports and dashboards
- •Using consistent typography in technical writing and documentation
Examples
− Minus sign (U+2212) copy & use
- −−3
- −5 − 2 = 3
- −Temperature: −5°C
- −Revenue change: −12,340
- −Velocity: v = −20 m/s
Variations
Ready to copy
Technical codes
| Unicode | U+2212 | |
| HTML Entity | − | |
| HTML Code | − | |
| CSS | \2212 | |
| Alt Code | Alt + 8722 | |
| Decimal | 8722 |
How to type Minus Sign Symbol (−)
On Windows
Hold Alt and type 8722 on the numeric keypad. In Word, type 2212 then press Alt + X.
On Mac
Switch to the Unicode Hex Input keyboard, then hold Option and type 2212. Or press Control + Command + Space and search.
On Linux
Press Control + Shift + U, type 2212, then press Enter or Space.
Anywhere
Copy − with the button above and paste it wherever you need it — this works on every device and in every app, with no keyboard shortcut to remember.
FAQ
What does the Minus Sign symbol mean?
The “minus sign” (−) is a typographic symbol for subtraction and the negative sign in mathematical and technical contexts. It’s distinct from the hyphen-minus character (often seen as -), which may look similar but is not the same Unicode code point. Using U+2212 helps ensure consistent spacing and visual clarity when you display numbers like “−3” or expressions like “5 − 2”. In plain text, it’s also helpful for UI labels, status messages, and documentation where you want the subtract/negative sign to read clearly rather than resembling a general punctuation dash.
Is − the same as a hyphen (-)?
No. − is the Unicode MINUS SIGN (U+2212). A hyphen-minus is usually −? visually similar but is a different character, often used as punctuation.
How do I copy the exact minus sign?
Copy this character directly: −. Using the exact symbol helps avoid accidental substitution with the hyphen-minus character.
What is the Unicode code point for this minus sign?
It is U+2212 (Unicode name: MINUS SIGN).
How can I type it in HTML or code?
Use the HTML entity −. In CSS you can use \\2212, and in JavaScript you can use \\u{2212}.