Copy, type, and use

Half Symbol ½

½ is U+00BD VULGAR FRACTION ONE HALF. It represents the fraction one divided by two in compact text.

Character
½
Unicode
U+00BD

Half Symbol Copy and Paste

Press the Copy button beside ½, then paste it with Ctrl+V on Windows, Command+V on Mac, or the Paste command on mobile.

Copy the half symbol One click copies the exact Unicode character.
  1. 1
    Copy

    Press the button to copy ½.

  2. 2
    Place the cursor

    Open the message, document, form, or profile where you need it.

  3. 3
    Paste

    Use Ctrl+V, Command+V, or the mobile Paste command.

RecipesMeasurementsInformal quantitiesCompact labels

What Is the Half Symbol?

½ is U+00BD VULGAR FRACTION ONE HALF. It represents the fraction one divided by two in compact text.

Recipes

Measurements

Informal quantities

Compact labels

Half Symbol Variants and Related Forms

Slash fraction sequence

ASCII-compatible representation

One quarter

Precomposed quarter fraction

Three quarters

Precomposed three-quarter fraction

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How to Type the Half Symbol

Choose your device or app to insert the half symbol without copying it from another page.

Half Symbol on Windows

In Microsoft Word, type 00BD and press Alt+X. In other Windows apps, use Character Map or copy ½ from this page.

Half Symbol on Mac

Open Character Viewer with Control+Command+Space and search for the first character name, or copy ½ from this page.

Half Symbol on iPhone and iPad

Tap the copy button for ½, then paste it into the target app. Save it as a text replacement for repeated use.

Half Symbol on Android

Tap the copy button for ½, then paste it into the target app. Save it as a text replacement for repeated use.

Half Symbol on Chromebook

On ChromeOS with Unicode input enabled, press Ctrl+Shift+U, type bd, then press Enter; otherwise copy ½.

Half Symbol on Microsoft Word

Type 00BD, then press Alt+X to convert the code to ½.

Half Symbol on Google Docs

Use Insert > Special characters and search by the Unicode name, or paste ½ from this page.

Half Symbol Unicode and HTML Codes

Use these values when you need the half symbol in HTML, CSS, source code, or a character reference.

Unicode U+00BD
Unicode name VULGAR FRACTION ONE HALF
HTML decimal ½
HTML hex ½
CSS escape BD

How to Use and Format the Half Symbol

Format ½ according to the specific role defined for Half Symbol. ½ is U+00BD VULGAR FRACTION ONE HALF. It represents the fraction one divided by two in compact text. The encoded form is U+00BD; preserve the full sequence, capitalization, combining marks, superscripts, and unit letters exactly as shown. For half symbol, placement and spacing should follow the mathematical, scientific, currency, editorial, or interface convention described on this page.

This page covers the single precomposed fraction ½. It is different from the three-character sequence 1/2 and from a stacked fraction produced by equation layout. When ½ communicates an action, quantity, category, warning, or status, include nearby readable wording and an accessible name. Test half symbol in the actual website, document, font, export format, and assistive-technology workflow rather than accepting a merely similar glyph.

  • Use a space according to the publication style before a unit or noun

  • Use 1/2 or equation markup when consistent fractions are required

  • Keep mixed numbers readable, such as 1½

  • Do not use ½ when the value is actually 0.5 percent

  • Preserve the exact encoded form U+00BD when publishing half symbol.

  • Use UTF-8 text or complete numeric references for ½ rather than a visual lookalike.

  • Test half symbol rendering, copying, search, and accessibility in the final application.

Half Symbol Examples

  • ½ cup
  • ½ = 0.5
  • 1½ hours
  • Half price: ½
  • Accessible reading: one half
  • Unicode sequence for Half Symbol: U+00BD
  • HTML decimal: ½
  • HTML hexadecimal: ½
  • CSS escapes: BD
  • Accessible text label: Half Symbol

Common Half Symbol Mistakes

  • Confusing ½ with 1/2 percent
  • Using ½ in a dataset that expects decimal numbers
  • Mixing precomposed and slash fractions inconsistently
  • Writing 11/2 when a mixed number 1½ is intended
  • Replacing half symbol with a lookalike without checking U+00BD.
  • Assuming ½ has identical metrics or artwork in every font and platform.
  • Converting ½ to an image when selectable text is more appropriate.
  • Using ½ as the only accessible name of an interactive control.

Half Symbol intent boundary

This page covers the single precomposed fraction ½. It is different from the three-character sequence 1/2 and from a stacked fraction produced by equation layout.

More About the Half Symbol

This entry treats ½ as the precise form of Half Symbol. The encoded reference is U+00BD (VULGAR FRACTION ONE HALF). ½ is U+00BD VULGAR FRACTION ONE HALF. It represents the fraction one divided by two in compact text. It is different from the three-character sequence 1/2 and from a stacked fraction produced by equation layout. The examples show ½ in contexts such as CSS escapes: BD; Accessible text label: Half Symbol; ½ cup; ½ = 0.5; 1½ hours. Additional use contexts recorded for ½ are Informal quantities; Compact labels; Recipes; Measurements. Frequent errors include Writing 11/2 when a mixed number 1½ is intended; Replacing half symbol with a lookalike without checking U+00BD.; Assuming ½ has identical metrics or artwork in every font and platform.; Converting ½ to an image when selectable text is more appropriate.. Related characters or notations include 1/2 Slash fraction sequence ASCII-compatible representation; ¼ One quarter Precomposed quarter fraction; ¾ Three quarters Precomposed three-quarter fraction, each with a separate identity. One practical question is “What is the Unicode sequence for Half Symbol?” The recorded answer is: The encoded sequence is U+00BD; the Unicode names are VULGAR FRACTION ONE HALF. The safest workflow is to copy ½, verify U+00BD after import or export, and apply the destination's own spacing and accessibility rules.

Half Symbol FAQ

What is the Unicode sequence for Half Symbol?

The encoded sequence is U+00BD; the Unicode names are VULGAR FRACTION ONE HALF.

How do I copy Half Symbol?

Use the Copy button for ½, then paste the complete text sequence into the destination application.

Can I use ½ in HTML?

Yes. Use UTF-8 text ½, decimal references ½, or hexadecimal references ½.

Why can ½ look different?

Fonts and emoji platforms draw half symbol differently while preserving the same encoded sequence.

Does ½ need an accessible label?

Yes when ½ communicates essential meaning or operates as a control; use a concise text label that states the intended meaning.