How to Type Greek Letters (α β π Σ Ω) on Windows, Mac and Phones

How-To Guides · 5 min read · Published October 25, 2026

Quick answer: on Windows, 12 Greek letters have real Alt codes (for example Alt+227 for π and Alt+234 for Ω). For the other 36 capital and small letters, type the letter's code in Microsoft Word and press Alt+X (03B2 then Alt+X gives β), switch to a Greek keyboard, or copy the letter from the table below. On a Mac, use the Greek keyboard or the Character Viewer (Control+Command+Space).

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.

Be careful with charts that list "Alt codes" such as Alt+946 for β or Alt+937 for Ω. Those numbers are the letters' Unicode values in decimal. Codes above 255 do not work in most Windows programs; they only work in programs built on Microsoft's RichEdit text control, such as WordPad. Every code below has been checked.

All 24 Greek letters with their codes

Click any letter to open its page, where you can copy it and see its HTML, CSS and JavaScript codes. The Alt+X column works in Microsoft Word for Windows. The last column shows the only real numpad Alt codes, from the old DOS code page 437.

Sigma has two small forms: σ inside a word and ς (final sigma, 03C2) at the end of a word in Greek text. In maths, only σ is used.

Windows: the three practical methods

1. Alt codes (12 letters only)

Hold the left Alt key, type the number on the numeric keypad with Num Lock on, then release Alt. The codes are α 224, Γ 226, π 227, Σ 228, σ 229, τ 231, Φ 232, Θ 233, Ω 234, δ 235, φ 237 and ε 238. Note that there is no leading zero: these come from the old DOS table, and Alt+0227 gives ã instead of π. If nothing happens, see Alt codes not working.

2. Alt+X in Microsoft Word

Type the four-character code from the table and press Alt+X: 03BB becomes λ, 03A3 becomes Σ. This works for every Greek letter, including accented ones such as ά. More tips, including how to stop Word grabbing the wrong characters, are in our guide to inserting symbols in Word.

For formulas, press Alt+= to start an equation and type the letter's name with a backslash: \alpha, \beta, \Delta (capital D gives the capital letter), followed by a space.

3. Add the Greek keyboard

If you type Greek often, add the keyboard: Settings → Time & language → Language & region, then either add Greek as a language or, under your current language's options, add the Greek keyboard. Switch layouts with Win+Space. Most letters sit on the similar-sounding Latin key (A → α, B → β, D → δ, P → π), but a few don't: U gives θ, C gives ψ and V gives ω. Turn on the on-screen keyboard once to see the full layout.

Mac

Greek input source: go to System Settings → Keyboard → Text Input, select Edit, then + and add Greek. Switch to it from the input menu in the menu bar.

Character Viewer: press Control+Command+Space (or Fn/🌐+E) and search for "alpha", "lambda" and so on.

Option shortcuts on the US layout: only two give real Greek letters. Option+P gives π and Option+Z gives Ω. Three others give look-alike math symbols, not Greek letters: Option+W gives ∑ (summation), Option+J gives ∆ (increment) and Option+M gives µ (micro sign). That matters if you are writing Greek words or need the exact character. Our guide to Mac keyboard symbols explains the ⌥ Option key itself.

iPhone and Android

Add a Greek keyboard. On iPhone, go to Settings → General → Keyboard → Keyboards → Add New Keyboard. In Gboard on Android, open the keyboard settings → Languages and add Greek. Then switch with the globe or language key. For the odd letter, copying from this page is quicker, or set up a text replacement such as ;pi → π.

HTML

Every Greek letter has a named HTML entity made from its English name: α for α, Ω for Ω, ς for ς. The numeric forms work too: α or α for α. If your page is saved as UTF-8, you can also paste the letter itself.

Look-alikes that cause mistakes

What the letters are commonly used for

• π: the circle constant 3.14159… (see our pi symbols page and the guide how to type the pi symbol)
• Σ / ∑: sums; σ: standard deviation; μ: mean, or the micro prefix
• Δ: a change in a value (see our delta symbols page and the guide how to type the delta symbol); δ: a small change
• θ: angles; λ: wavelength; Ω: ohms, the unit of resistance
• α and β: first and second versions (alpha and beta software), and coefficients in statistics and finance
• φ: the golden ratio, and angles in physics

You can browse every Greek character, including accented and archaic forms, in our Greek symbols category.

Frequently asked questions