Codes for the Fractions Symbols

How To Insert a Fraction Symbol

The easiest way to insert a fraction is to copy and paste the fraction you need from the list below. If you're using a Microsoft Office program (e.g., Word or PowerPoint), you can also use the "Alt Code" method.

Here is an explanation of how to insert the "half" symbol (½).

(Method 1) Copy and paste the symbol.

Click on the fraction you need from the list below. Press the "Copy" button, and then paste the symbol into your document. Here is the ½ symbol as an example:

(Method 2) Use the "Alt Code."

Every fraction symbol has an Alt Code. The Alt Code for the "half" symbol above is 189. If you have a keyboard with a numeric pad, you can use this method. Simply hold down the Alt key and type the number. When you lift the Alt key, the symbol appears. ("Num Lock" must be on.)

Video Explaining How to Insert Special Symbols

This video explains 7 ways to insert a special symbol into an MS Office application (e.g., Word) or a website using HTML, CSS, or JavaScript:

More Methods

There are six more ways to get the fraction symbol you need. The other methods are a little more complicated and are typically used by programmers or graphic designers. Methods 3-8 are shown below the list of fractions.

Fraction Symbols

Click on a fraction symbol to copy it and to see its Alt Code, HTML Code, HTML Entity, CSS Code, Hex Code, Unicode, and formal name. Also, click on the link to learn more about the symbol or to create an image of the symbol.

More Methods for Inserting a Fraction

(Method 3) Use the HTML Decimal Code (for webpages).

HTML Text	Output
What is ½ times ½?	What is ½ times ½?

(Method 4) Use the HTML Entity Code (for webpages).

HTML Text	Output
What is ½ times ½?	What is ½ times ½?

(Method 5) Use the CSS Code (for webpages).

CSS and HTML Text	Output
<style> span:after { content: "\00BD";} </style> <span>My sign: </span>	My sign: ½

(Method 6) Use the HTML Hex Code (for webpages).

HTML Text	Output
What is ½ times ½?	What is ½ times ½?

(Method 7) Use the Unicode (for various, e.g. Microsoft Office, JavaScript, Perl).

The Unicode for ½ is U+00BD. The important part is the hexadecimal number after the U+, which is used in various formats. For example, in Microsoft Office applications (e.g. Word, PowerPoint), do the following:

Type	Output
BD [Hold down Alt] [Press x]	± (The BD turns into ½. Note that you can omit any leading zeros.)

In JavaScript, the syntax is \uXXXX. So, our example would be \u00BD. (Note that the format is 4 hexadecimal characters.)

JavaScript Text	Output
let str = "\u00BD" document.write("My symbol: " + str)	My symbol: ½

To see the formats for C, C++, Java, Perl, and Python, click on the symbol you need from the list below and follow the link.

(Method 8) Use an Image (for various).

HTML Text	Output
<img src = "myImg.png"/>	½

Click on the fraction symbol you need from the list of fraction below and follow the link at the bottom of the details box. On the new page, there is a widget for creating images of the fraction symbol in different sizes and fonts.

fraction-symbols See the page for the ½ symbol.

Full List

Here is a list of of the most common fraction symbols:

Vulgar Fraction One Quarter (¼)
Vulgar Fraction One Half (½)
Vulgar Fraction Three Quarters (¾)
Vulgar Fraction One Third (⅓)
Vulgar Fraction Two Thirds (⅔)
Vulgar Fraction One Fifth (⅕)
Vulgar Fraction Two Fifths (⅖)
Vulgar Fraction Three Fifths (⅗)
Vulgar Fraction Four Fifths (⅘)
Vulgar Fraction One Sixth (⅙)
Vulgar Fraction Five Sixths (⅚)
Vulgar Fraction One Eighth (⅛)
Vulgar Fraction Three Eighths (⅜)
Vulgar Fraction Five Eighths (⅝)
Vulgar Fraction Seven Eighths (⅞)

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