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Proportional To Symbol (∝)

The proportional sign (∝) says two quantities grow together: double one and the other doubles.

∝

Proportional To · U+221D · Math Symbols

Click the symbol or the button to copy it, then paste it anywhere — documents, messages, bios and code.

Proportional To Symbol codes

Code	Value
Unicode code point	`U+221D`
Unicode name	`Proportional To`
HTML named entity	`&prop;`
HTML decimal	`∝`
HTML hex	`∝`
CSS content code	`\221D`
JavaScript / JSON	`\u221D`
Windows Alt code	No standard Alt code — copy it from the card above
LaTeX	`\propto`

Proportional To Symbol variants (2)

2 related glyphs — click any tile to copy it. Tiles with a page open that symbol's own page.

∞Infinity ≈Almost Equal To

Meaning & usage

The proportional sign (∝) says two quantities grow together: double one and the other doubles. It looks like an infinity symbol cut in half, and physicists pair it with α when the exact constant doesn't matter yet.

Examples in use

Copy ∝ into a post, document or message

How to type the proportional to symbol

Windows

There is no Alt code or direct key for ∝. In Microsoft Word, type 221D and press Alt+X to convert it. Everywhere else, click the Copy button at the top of this page and paste it (Ctrl+V) — that always works.

Mac

There is no Option-key shortcut for ∝ on a Mac. Open the Character Viewer with Control+Command+Space, search for "Proportional To Symbol", and double-click to insert — or copy it from this page.

iPhone & Android

Most phone keyboards have no built-in key for ∝. Open this page on your phone, tap Copy, then paste it into your message or bio. (On Android, Gboard's emoji search finds some symbols by name.)

Linux

Press Ctrl+Shift+U, type 221d and press Enter (works in most GTK apps and terminals with IBus). Or copy it from this page.

Frequently asked questions

How do I copy the ∝ symbol?

Click the big ∝ in the card at the top of this page — it copies as a standard Unicode character (U+221D) and pastes anywhere.

How do I type ∝ on a keyboard?

There is no standard keyboard shortcut or Alt code for ∝. Copy it from this page, or in Microsoft Word type 221D and press Alt+X.

Why does ∝ sometimes show as a box or question mark?

The box (called tofu) means the device or font viewing it has no drawing for U+221D (Proportional To). The character itself is fine — try a different font or a newer device, or use one of the variants on this page.

Is the Proportional To Symbol free to use?

Yes. ∝ is a standard Unicode text character published in the Unicode Character Database. You may use it in personal and commercial documents, designs and products without permission or payment.

Related symbols

∞Infinity Symbol αAlpha Symbol