Geometry Symbols (∠ ⊥ ∥ ≅ △) and How to Type Them

How-To Guides · 2 min read · Published October 25, 2026

Quick answer: the core geometry symbols are ∠ angle, ⊥ perpendicular, ∥ parallel, ≅ congruent, ∼ similar, △ triangle and ° degree. Only °, ∟ and π have real Windows Alt codes. Type the others in Word with the code in the table above and Alt+X, in an equation with commands such as \angle, or copy them from this page.

Quick reference: every method

Every Alt code below is verified against the real Windows code pages — where none exists we say so, rather than list one that won’t work.

What each symbol means

Arcs are usually written with an arc mark over the letters (AB with ⌒ above), which needs an equation editor to draw properly. In plain text, "arc AB" is clearer.

Windows

• Real Alt codes: ° Alt+0176, ∟ Alt+28, π Alt+227 (numeric keypad, Num Lock on).
• Word: type the code from the table and press Alt+X, for example 2220 → ∠, 22A5 → ⊥, 2225 → ∥, 2245 → ≅. See how to insert symbols in Word.
• Word equations: press Alt+= and type \angle, \perp, \parallel or \cong, each followed by a space.
• Anywhere else: Win+. → Symbols → math, or copy from this page.

Mac

Only ° (Shift+Option+8) and π (Option+P) have Option shortcuts. For the rest open the Character Viewer (Control+Command+Space) and search the name ("angle", "perpendicular", "parallel"). Teachers who use them every day save time with text replacements such as ;ang → ∠.

Google Docs and LaTeX

In Google Docs, Insert → Special characters finds every symbol by name. In LaTeX use \angle, \perp, \parallel, \cong, \sim, \triangle and ^\circ for degrees (see LaTeX math symbols).

Look-alikes to avoid

• ∥ vs ||: two vertical bars typed from the keyboard look similar but are punctuation, not the parallel sign.
• △ vs Δ vs ∆: △ is a triangle shape, Δ the Greek letter delta, ∆ the increment sign. For "triangle ABC" use △. See Greek letters.
• ∼ vs ~: the keyboard tilde ~ is narrower and sits higher; ∼ (tilde operator) is the maths sign for "similar to".
• ° vs º: the degree sign is not the ordinal º; see the degree symbol guide.

Browse more shapes on our angle symbols and triangle symbols pages, or the math symbols hub.

Frequently asked questions