Short answer: On Windows, press Alt + 0215 on the numeric keypad. In Word, type 00D7 then press Alt + X. On Mac, copy the symbol below or use the Character Viewer (Ctrl + Cmd + Space). For the web, use ×. The real multiplication sign × is a different character from the letter x — using it makes your math read correctly and stay searchable.
Quick reference
| Platform | How to type × |
|---|---|
| Windows | Alt + 0215 (numeric keypad) |
| Word | Type 00D7, then Alt + X |
| Mac | Copy below, or Character Viewer (Ctrl + Cmd + Space) |
| iPhone / Android | Copy and paste, or set a text shortcut |
| Chromebook | Ctrl + Shift + U, type 00d7, then Space |
| Linux | Ctrl + Shift + U → 00d7, or Compose then x x |
| Excel | =UNICHAR(215) or Insert → Symbol |
| HTML | × or × |
| Unicode | U+00D7 |
× vs the letter x
They look almost identical, but they’re not the same character. The multiplication sign × is a dedicated math symbol (Unicode U+00D7). The letter x is a regular alphabet character. The proper × sits centered on the line, reads as multiplication to screen readers and search engines, and is the correct choice for equations, dimensions, and recipes.
× vs * (asterisk) — which one do I use?
This trips people up, so it’s worth a line:
- Use × for anything a person reads: equations, screen sizes (1920 × 1080), rug dimensions, “double the recipe (× 2).”
- Use * (asterisk) for anything a machine calculates: spreadsheet formulas (
=A1*B1), programming, and calculators. Typing × into an Excel formula will cause an error.
Windows
Hold Alt and type 0215 on the numeric keypad, then release Alt. (Num Lock must be on.) In Word, 00D7 then Alt + X also works. No numeric keypad? Copy × from the box above, or use Word’s Alt + X trick.
Mac
There’s no standard Option-key shortcut for ×. The two reliable options:
- Copy × from the box above and paste it.
- Open the Character Viewer with Ctrl + Cmd + Space, search “multiplication,” and double-click the symbol to insert it. Tip: click the star to add it to Favorites so it’s one tap next time.
Word & Google Docs
- Word: Type 00D7, then press Alt + X. Or go to Insert → Symbol → More Symbols and find it under the Latin-1 Supplement range.
- Google Docs: Insert → Special characters, then search “multiplication” (or draw the × in the sketch box).
Excel
For display (a label or text cell), use:
=UNICHAR(215)→ returns × reliably on Windows and Mac.- Or Insert → Symbol and pick ×.
=CHAR(215) also returns × in Excel for Windows, but because CHAR reads the local system character set, it can return a different character on Mac Excel — so UNICHAR(215) is the safer, cross-platform choice.
For actual multiplication in a formula, use * — for example =8*7.
iPhone & Android
The × symbol isn’t on the default keyboard on either platform. Two practical ways:
- Copy and paste × from the box above.
- Set up a text shortcut so you can type it anytime:
- iPhone: Settings → General → Keyboard → Text Replacement → add × as the Phrase and something like xx as the Shortcut.
- Android (Gboard): Settings → Dictionary → Personal dictionary → add × with a shortcut like xx.
Chromebook
Click into a text field, press Ctrl + Shift + U, type 00d7, then press Space or Enter. An underlined u00d7 appears while you type, then converts to ×. (This Unicode-entry method works in most text fields but not every app; if it doesn’t fire, copy × from the box above.)
Linux
- IBus: Press Ctrl + Shift + U, type 00d7, then Space/Enter.
- Compose key: Press Compose, then x, then x.
HTML & code
- HTML entity:
×(or the numeric form×). - Unicode code point: U+00D7.
- LaTeX:
\times.
Examples
4 × 5 = 20 · 1920 × 1080 · a 9 × 12 rug · double the recipe (× 2)
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Alt + 0215 does nothing | You need a real numeric keypad and Num Lock on. On a laptop without a numpad, copy × or use Word’s 00D7 → Alt + X. |
| I get a different symbol | You’re probably typing 215 without the leading zero. Use the full 0215 with the zero. |
| The symbol shows as a box (□) or “tofu” | The font you’re using lacks the glyph. Switch to a common font like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman. |
| I keep using the letter x | That’s an alphabet character, not the sign — paste the proper × so the math reads and searches correctly. It pairs with the division sign ÷. |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I type the multiplication sign?
On Windows, press Alt + 0215 on the numeric keypad, or type 00D7 and then press Alt + X in Microsoft Word. On a Mac, copy and paste the multiplication sign (×) or use the Character Viewer.
What is the difference between × and the letter x?
The multiplication sign (×) is a dedicated mathematical symbol (Unicode U+00D7). The letter x is a standard alphabet character. Using × instead of x makes mathematical expressions more accurate and easier to search and understand.
How do I type the multiplication sign in Word?
Type 00D7 and then press Alt + X. You can also go to Insert → Symbol and select the multiplication sign.
How do I type × on a Mac?
There is no standard Option-key shortcut for the multiplication sign. You can copy and paste ×, or open the Character Viewer with Control + Command + Space and search for “multiplication” to insert it.
Should I use × or * for multiplication?
Use × in content meant for people to read, such as equations, dimensions (for example, 1920 × 1080), and recipes. Use the asterisk (*) in spreadsheet formulas, programming code, and other situations where a computer performs the calculation. For example, Excel uses =A1*B1, and typing × into a formula will cause an error.
How do I type × on my phone?
The × symbol is not available on the default iPhone or Android keyboard. You can copy and paste it, or create a text shortcut:
iPhone: Settings → General → Keyboard → Text Replacement
Android (Gboard): Personal Dictionary
For example, map xx to × so it expands automatically when you type it.
Recap
Windows: Alt + 0215. Word: 00D7 → Alt + X. Mac: copy or Character Viewer. Phone: copy/paste or a text shortcut. Chromebook/Linux: Ctrl + Shift + U → 00d7. Web: ×. In formulas, multiply with *, and use × only for display.
Need more than one symbol? Paste any character into the Symbol Identifier to see its name, Unicode, and how to type it — or browse the full Math symbols hub.
Written by Igor R. Tested on Windows 11, macOS, and in Microsoft 365. Last updated June 2026. The multiplication sign is U+00D7 in the Unicode Standard.
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