Copy, type, and use

Delta Symbol (Δ)

The delta symbol is Δ. Uppercase delta is the fourth letter of the Greek alphabet. In mathematics and science, Δ often represents a change, difference, or discriminant.

Character
Δ
Unicode
U+0394
HTML
Δ

Delta Symbol Copy and Paste

Select Copy to place the delta symbol Δ on your clipboard. Move the cursor to the destination and use Ctrl+V on Windows, Command+V on Mac, or the Paste command on mobile.

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

    Press the button to copy Δ.

  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.

Change in a quantityDifferences between valuesGeometryPhysics and engineering

What Is the Delta Symbol?

Uppercase delta is the fourth letter of the Greek alphabet. In mathematics and science, Δ often represents a change, difference, or discriminant.

Change in a quantity

Differences between values

Geometry

Physics and engineering

How to Type the Delta Symbol

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

Delta Symbol on Windows

In Microsoft Word, type 0394 and press Alt + X. In other Windows apps, use Character Map, the Symbols panel, or the copy button on this page.

Delta Symbol on Mac

Open Character Viewer with Control + Command + Space, then search for “Greek capital delta.”

Delta Symbol on iPhone and iPad

Use the copy button on this page, then paste the delta symbol into the target app. For repeated use, save it as a keyboard text-replacement shortcut.

Delta Symbol on Android

Use the copy button on this page, then paste the delta symbol into the target app. For repeated use, save it as a keyboard text-replacement shortcut.

Delta Symbol on Chromebook

Use the Copy button to copy Δ, then press Ctrl+V to paste it. You can also open the Chromebook emoji and symbols picker when it is available in the current app.

Delta Symbol on Microsoft Word

In Microsoft Word, type 0394 and press Alt+X to convert the code to Δ. You can also use Insert > Symbol.

Delta Symbol on Google Docs

Use the Copy button and paste Δ into Google Docs, or choose Insert > Special characters and search by the symbol name.

Delta Symbol Unicode and HTML Codes

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

Unicode U+0394
Unicode name GREEK CAPITAL LETTER DELTA
HTML entity Δ
HTML decimal Δ
HTML hex Δ
CSS escape 394

How to Use and Format the Delta Symbol

The character Δ is Unicode U+0394 GREEK CAPITAL LETTER DELTA. It is used in Greek text and, by convention, in mathematics and science for meanings such as a change, difference, discriminant, or named quantity. Because the meaning varies by subject, define Δ when the notation is introduced.

Keep uppercase Δ distinct from lowercase δ and from mathematical symbols that merely resemble a triangle. In typeset mathematics, follow the discipline’s convention for italic or upright Greek letters and use MathML, LaTeX, or an equation editor when the expression is complex.

  • Use uppercase Δ and lowercase δ only for the meanings assigned by the relevant notation.

  • Define Δ on first use when more than one interpretation is possible.

  • Write forms such as Δx or ΔT only when the symbol represents the stated change or difference.

  • Do not substitute a drawn triangle or a different triangle character for Greek capital delta.

  • Follow the subject’s convention for italic or upright Greek letters in mathematical typesetting.

  • Use mathematical markup for formulas that require precise baselines, subscripts, or superscripts.

Delta Symbol Examples

  • Δx = x₂ − x₁
  • Δt = t₂ − t₁
  • ΔT = T₂ − T₁
  • Δv = v₂ − v₁
  • Δp = p₂ − p₁
  • ΔE = E₂ − E₁
  • Δy = y₂ − y₁
  • Δθ = θ₂ − θ₁
  • ΔP = P₂ − P₁
  • Δ = b² − 4ac

Common Delta Symbol Mistakes

  • Do not confuse Δ (U+0394 GREEK CAPITAL LETTER DELTA) with ∆ (U+2206 INCREMENT).
  • Do not confuse Δ with the geometric triangle △ (U+25B3).
  • Do not use Δ without defining what change, difference, or discriminant it represents.
  • Do not reverse the subtraction order after defining Δx = x₂ − x₁.
  • Do not confuse uppercase Δ with lowercase δ; they often have different meanings.
  • Do not assume Δ has one universal meaning across mathematics, physics, chemistry, and engineering.
  • Do not replace Δ with a Latin capital A.
  • Do not use an image of delta when searchable Unicode text is appropriate.

More About the Delta Symbol

The delta symbol Δ is a Unicode text character, not an image. Uppercase delta is the fourth letter of the Greek alphabet. In mathematics and science, Δ often represents a change, difference, or discriminant. Because it remains selectable text, it can be copied into documents, messages, spreadsheets, source code, usernames, captions, and other fields that support Unicode. Its appearance can change with the active font or operating system, while the stored character remains U+0394 (GREEK CAPITAL LETTER DELTA).

Supporting searches such as “alt code for delta symbol”, “math symbol for delta”, and “delta symbol meaning” usually describe the same core task from different angles: identifying the correct character, copying it, or learning how to enter it with a keyboard. This page keeps those intents together so you do not need separate pages for small wording differences. Use the copy control for the fastest method, then check the platform rows when you need a repeatable shortcut on a specific device or app.

Queries such as “delta greek symbol” and “delta symbol math” are covered by the keyboard, application, and character-code sections. The Windows and Mac instructions explain practical input methods, while the Microsoft Word and Google Docs rows cover document editing. Unicode, HTML, hexadecimal, and CSS values are listed separately so developers can insert the exact character without confusing it with a similar-looking mark.

Choose Δ when its documented meaning matches the surrounding text, and compare the related-symbol links below when another character may be more precise. Spacing and visual style can vary by context, so follow the style guide of the document or platform. For example: Δx means change in x.

Delta Symbol FAQ

What is the delta symbol?

The delta symbol is Δ. Uppercase delta is the fourth letter of the Greek alphabet. In mathematics and science, Δ often represents a change, difference, or discriminant.

How do I copy and paste Δ?

Select the copy button next to Δ, then paste it with Ctrl+V on Windows, Command+V on Mac, or the Paste command on mobile.

What is the Unicode for Δ?

The Unicode code point is U+0394 and its Unicode name is GREEK CAPITAL LETTER DELTA.

How do I type Δ on a keyboard?

In Microsoft Word, type 0394 and press Alt + X. In other Windows apps, use Character Map, the Symbols panel, or the copy button on this page. On Mac, Open Character Viewer with Control + Command + Space, then search for “Greek capital delta.”