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 |
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}.