Copy, type, and use

Alpha Symbol (α)

The alpha symbol is α. The character α is the Greek small letter alpha. In technical writing it may be used as a variable or notation symbol, with meaning defined by the surrounding field and document.

Character
α
Unicode
U+03B1
HTML
α

Alpha Symbol Copy and Paste

Select Copy to place α on your clipboard. Paste it with Ctrl+V on Windows, Command+V on Mac, or the Paste command on mobile.

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

    Press the button to copy α.

  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.

Greek text or notationMathematical variablesScientific documentsUnicode references

What Is the Alpha Symbol?

The character α is the Greek small letter alpha. In technical writing it may be used as a variable or notation symbol, with meaning defined by the surrounding field and document.

Greek text or notation

Mathematical variables

Scientific documents

Unicode references

Alpha Symbol Variants and Related Forms

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How to Type the Alpha Symbol

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

Alpha Symbol on Windows

In Microsoft Word, type 03B1 and press Alt + X. In other Windows apps, use Character Map or copy the character from this page.

Alpha Symbol on Mac

Open Character Viewer with Control + Command + Space, then search for “greek small letter alpha.” Keyboard layouts and app support vary.

Alpha Symbol on iPhone and iPad

Use the Copy button to copy α, then paste it into the target app. For repeated use, save it as a text-replacement shortcut.

Alpha Symbol on Android

Use the Copy button to copy α, then paste it into the target app. Keyboard symbol menus vary by device and app.

Alpha Symbol on Chromebook

Use the Copy button to copy α, then press Ctrl+V. You can also use a supported character picker in the current app.

Alpha Symbol on Microsoft Word

In Microsoft Word, type 03B1 and press Alt+X to convert the code to α, or choose Insert > Symbol.

Alpha Symbol on Google Docs

Paste α into Google Docs, or choose Insert > Special characters and search for greek small letter alpha.

Alpha Symbol Unicode and HTML Codes

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

Unicode U+03B1
Unicode name GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA
HTML entity α
HTML decimal α
HTML hex α
CSS escape 3B1

How to Use and Format the Alpha Symbol

Use α as the exact Unicode character U+03B1 (GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA) when the document needs a copyable, searchable text symbol. The character α is the Greek small letter alpha. In technical writing it may be used as a variable or notation symbol, with meaning defined by the surrounding field and document. The character should remain text rather than being redrawn with several characters or replaced by an image when exact encoding matters. Its visual form can change with the font, operating system, and text-versus-emoji presentation supported by the destination application.

Place the alpha symbol in a sentence, equation, label, or reference that makes its role clear. For web content, use the literal UTF-8 character or a valid numeric or named character reference, and provide visible text or an accessible name when the symbol is used in a control. Before publishing, verify the code point, spacing, capitalization, and nearby units or labels against the relevant technical or editorial standard.

  • Preserve the Greek character rather than replacing it with a similar Latin letter.

  • Define the variable or notation in technical documents when the meaning is not established nearby.

  • Use the exact Unicode character α (U+03B1) rather than a visually similar substitute.

  • Use the literal UTF-8 character or a complete HTML character reference when publishing on the web.

  • Provide a visible label or accessible name when the symbol is used as an icon or control.

  • Test the character in the target font and application before publishing.

Alpha Symbol Examples

  • Greek letter: α
  • Variable: α = 0.5
  • α + β
  • Label: Alpha (α)
  • Unicode: U+03B1 α
  • Unicode: U+03B1 (GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA)
  • HTML decimal: α
  • HTML hexadecimal: α
  • CSS content: "\03B1"
  • Accessible label: α

Common Alpha Symbol Mistakes

  • Do not change uppercase and lowercase forms without checking the notation.
  • Do not substitute a similar Latin letter for the Greek character.
  • Define the symbol when its mathematical or scientific meaning is not obvious from context.
  • Do not replace α (U+03B1) with a lookalike character without checking its Unicode code point.
  • Do not assume the glyph will have exactly the same shape in every font or operating system.
  • Do not convert the character to an image when selectable and searchable Unicode text is required.
  • Do not use the symbol as the only accessible name of an interactive control.
  • In HTML, do not omit the semicolon from a numeric character reference.

More About the Alpha Symbol

The alpha symbol α is a Unicode text character rather than an image. Its code point is U+03B1, and Unicode identifies it as GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA. The character α is the Greek small letter alpha. In technical writing it may be used as a variable or notation symbol, with meaning defined by the surrounding field and document. Because it remains encoded text, it can be selected, copied, searched, indexed, and pasted into apps that support the character. The exact glyph can vary with the active font and platform, so the Unicode value is the reliable way to verify that the intended character was used.

Supporting searches such as “alpha greek symbol”, “symbol for alpha”, “alpha symbol copy paste”, “alpha symbol greek”, “cronbach's alpha symbol” generally describe related tasks: identifying the character, copying it, entering it on a keyboard, or understanding its documented use. This page keeps those small wording variations together instead of creating separate pages for the same symbol intent. Use the copy control for the fastest method, then consult the platform instructions for Word, Google Docs, Windows, macOS, iPhone, Android, and Chromebook.

The character-code section provides the Unicode value, HTML decimal and hexadecimal references, and a CSS escape. When the symbol conveys an action, category, hazard, legal status, or other important meaning, pair it with readable text rather than relying on the glyph alone. The formatting rules, examples, and common-mistake list below are based on the cited official references and are intended to help preserve the correct character across documents and websites.

Alpha Symbol FAQ

What is the alpha symbol?

The alpha symbol is α. The character α is the Greek small letter alpha. In technical writing it may be used as a variable or notation symbol, with meaning defined by the surrounding field and document.

How do I copy and paste α?

Use the Copy button next to α, then paste it with Ctrl+V on Windows, Command+V on Mac, or the Paste command on mobile.

What is the Unicode for α?

The Unicode code point is U+03B1, and the Unicode name is GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA.

How do I type α?

Windows: In Microsoft Word, type 03B1 and press Alt + X. In other Windows apps, use Character Map or copy the character from this page. Mac: Open Character Viewer with Control + Command + Space, then search for “greek small letter alpha.” Keyboard layouts and app support vary.