Understanding the Plus or Minus Symbol | Meaning, Usage & Correct Form in 2026

The plus or minus symbol is a small but powerful symbol used in math, science, and everyday writing. 

Many people wonder which form is correct and how to use it properly. In this guide, we will explain the meaning, correct usage, common mistakes, and tips to remember it. 

By the end, you’ll never confuse this symbol again.

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Which One Is Correct – Plus or Minus Symbol?

The correct form is “±”.

Many people mistakenly write “+-” or “+/-,” but these are technically informal or shortcuts. The ± symbol is universally recognized in mathematics and scientific notation.

• Why “+-” is wrong: It is just a combination of characters and doesn’t hold the official meaning.
• Why “±” is right: It represents two possible values, one positive and one negative, in a single, concise symbol.

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Meaning of “±”

The ± symbol means “plus or minus”, indicating that a number or value could be either positive or negative. It is commonly used in mathematics, science, and measurements.

Simple explanation: When you see 5 ± 2, it means 5 + 2 or 5 – 2.

Examples:

• The answer is 10 ± 3, meaning it could be 13 or 7.
• The temperature today is 20°C ± 2°C.
• The medication dose is 50mg ± 5mg.
• The measurement reads 100cm ± 1cm.
• The test results were 80% ± 10%.

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Meaning of “+-” or “+/-”

The “+-” or “+/-” is often used informally in typing or texting.

Definition: It is a way to type “plus or minus” when the proper symbol isn’t available.

When it is used:

• Online forums
• Word processors without symbol support
• Quick notes or casual communication

Examples:

• The margin of error is 5+-2.
• You can type 100+/-5 if the ± symbol isn’t on your keyboard.
• My height is 170+/-2 cm.
• Use 50+/-10mg for rough estimates.
• The result is 30+/-3 points.

While understandable, “+-” is not recommended for formal writing or scientific documentation.

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Plus or minus symbol in keyboard

The plus or minus symbol (±) is not directly available on most standard keyboards. However, you can still type it using keyboard shortcuts or special character tools.

Here are some common ways to type it on a keyboard:

• Windows Alt code: Alt + 0177
• Mac shortcut: Option + Shift + =
• Copy and paste method: ±
• Character map tools in Windows and Mac

This symbol is mostly used for:

• Mathematical equations
• Scientific measurements
• Approximate values
• Error margins
• Engineering calculations

Example:

• Temperature: 25°C ± 2°C
• Measurement: 10 ± 0.5 cm

Using the correct symbol makes your writing look more professional and accurate.

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Plus or minus symbol to copy

If you simply want to copy the plus or minus symbol, you can use the symbol below.

Plus or Minus Symbol:

±

You can copy it and paste it anywhere, including:

• Word documents
• Excel sheets
• Emails
• Google Docs
• Websites
• Social media posts

This is the fastest option when you do not want to remember keyboard shortcuts.

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Plus or Minus Symbol in Word

Microsoft Word provides several easy methods to insert the plus or minus symbol.

Method 1: Keyboard Shortcut

Press:

• Alt + 0177

Make sure Num Lock is enabled while typing the code on the numeric keypad.

Method 2: Insert Symbol Menu

Follow these steps:

1. Open Microsoft Word
2. Click on Insert
3. Select Symbol
4. Choose More Symbols
5. Find and insert the symbol ±

Method 3: Unicode Method

Type:

00B1

Then press:

Alt + X

Word will automatically convert it into the plus or minus symbol.

This method is useful for students, teachers, researchers, and office users who regularly work with equations and measurements.

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Plus or minus symbol in Excel

Excel users often need the plus or minus symbol for calculations, reports, and data presentation.

Method 1: Alt Code

Press:

• Alt + 0177

Method 2: Copy and Paste

Simply copy this symbol:

±

Then paste it into any Excel cell.

Method 3: Formula Usage

You can combine text and the symbol in formulas.

Example:

="50 ± 5"

This is useful for:

• Statistical reports
• Measurement ranges
• Scientific spreadsheets
• Error values

Using the symbol properly improves the readability of Excel data.

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Plus or minus symbol on Mac

Typing the plus or minus symbol on a Mac is quick and simple.

Mac Keyboard Shortcut

Press:

• Option + Shift + =

This instantly types the symbol:

±

Mac users commonly use this shortcut in:

• Pages
• Numbers
• Keynote
• Google Docs
• Emails
• Design software

It saves time and avoids the need to copy and paste repeatedly.

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Plus or Minus symbol shortcut

There are different shortcuts for different operating systems and applications.

Windows Shortcut

• Alt + 0177

Mac Shortcut

• Option + Shift + =

Word Unicode Shortcut

• Type 00B1
• Press Alt + X

These shortcuts are the fastest way to insert the symbol without opening menus or character maps.

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Plus or minus symbol in LaTeX

In LaTeX, the plus or minus symbol is created using a simple command.

LaTeX Code

\pm

Example

x = 10 \pm 2

Output:

x = 10 ± 2

This command is widely used in:

• Academic papers
• Research documents
• Mathematical equations
• Physics formulas
• Engineering reports

LaTeX users rely on this symbol for professional scientific formatting.

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Plus or minus symbol google docs

Google Docs also supports the plus or minus symbol in multiple ways.

Method 1: Copy and Paste

Copy this symbol:

±

Then paste it directly into your document.

Method 2: Special Characters Tool

Steps:

1. Open Google Docs
2. Click Insert
3. Select Special characters
4. Search for “plus minus”
5. Insert the symbol

Method 3: Keyboard Shortcuts

If you are using Windows or Mac, the same operating system shortcuts also work in Google Docs.

This is helpful for:

• School assignments
• Reports
• Online documents
• Collaborative writing

Why Do People Confuse ± and +-?

Confusion arises due to:

• Spelling similarity: Both symbols use plus and minus signs.
• Pronunciation: People say “plus or minus” for both.
• Typing mistakes: “+-” is easier to type on keyboards without the ± symbol.

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Just Plus or Minus Symbol – Is It Correct?

Using plus or minus symbol alone is correct, but context matters.

• In math and science, always prefer “±”.
• In casual writing, some use +- but it is informal.
• Avoid replacing ± in textbooks, papers, or reports.

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Easy Trick to Remember the Difference

Think of it like a shortcut:

• ± = official, recognized, correct
• +- = informal, quick typing

Memory tip: The line through the symbol (±) shows it combines plus and minus into one. If it looks like two separate characters, it’s probably +-, which is less professional.

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Related Phrases with Plus or Minus Symbol

• In no case: Never use “+-” in formal math.
• In any case: ± works for all correct scientific measurements.
• In that case: Use ± to show uncertainty or range.

Examples:

• The reading is 50 ± 5, in any case, the result is accurate.
• In no case should you write 50+-5 in your report.
• The device tolerates 10 ± 1 volts; in that case, ± ensures precision.

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Common Misspellings (Table Format)

Correct	Incorrect
±	+-
±	+/-
definitely	definatly
necessary	neccessary
separate	seperate
measurement	measurment
accommodate	acommodate
occurrence	occurence
recommend	reccommend
explanation	explenation
argument	arguement
existence	existance
guarantee	guarentee
convenience	conveniance
license	licence

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is +- ever correct?
It’s okay in informal typing, but ± is preferred for math and science.

Is it one word or two?
“Plus or minus symbol” is written as four words.

Can I use it in formal writing?
Always use ± in formal or scientific writing.

What does ± mean?
It means a number could be positive or negative, showing a range or margin of error.

Why do people type +/-?
Because it’s easy on keyboards when ± isn’t available.

How to type +- on laptop?
You can type the +- symbol on a laptop using your keyboard shortcuts or the symbol menu. On Windows, hold the Alt key and type 241 on the numeric keypad to get the ± sign. On Mac, press Option + Shift + = to insert the symbol quickly while typing documents, formulas, or calculations.

What is the +- sign called?
The +- sign is called the plus-minus sign. It is written as ± and is commonly used in mathematics, science, statistics, and engineering. The symbol shows that a value can be either positive or negative and is often used to indicate variation, tolerance, or estimated ranges in calculations.

What does the ‘>’ mean?
The > symbol is called the greater than sign. It is used in mathematics and comparisons to show that one number or value is larger than another. For example, 10 > 5 means 10 is greater than 5. It is also commonly used in programming, coding, and computer commands.

How do I enter the +/- sign?
You can enter the +/- sign by using keyboard shortcuts or character tools on your device. On Windows laptops, use Alt + 241 with the numeric keypad. On Mac devices, press Option + Shift + =. You can also copy and paste the symbol ± directly into documents, spreadsheets, or online forms.

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Conclusion

The plus or minus symbol is a simple yet important symbol used worldwide in mathematics, science, and measurements. Always use ± for correct notation and avoid shortcuts like +- in formal writing. Understanding its meaning and proper usage ensures clarity, accuracy, and professionalism in all your work.

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