How to Type the Infinity Symbol (∞): Alt+236 and Option+5
Quick answer: on Windows, hold Alt and type 236 on the numeric keypad (no leading zero) to get ∞. On a Mac press Option+5. In Word, 221E then Alt+X also works, and in HTML use ∞.
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.
| Char | Name | Windows | Mac | HTML | Word (Alt+X) | Unicode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ∞ | Infinity | Alt+236 |
Option+5 |
∞ |
221E + Alt+X |
U+221E |
| ♾ | Permanent Paper Sign | Copy / paste | Copy / paste | ♾ |
267E + Alt+X |
U+267E |
Windows
∞ is part of the original IBM PC character set (code page 437), so Alt+236 is a genuine Alt code. Leave the zero off: Alt+0236 reads the Windows-1252 table and types ì. You will also see "Alt+8734" in some charts; that is ∞'s decimal Unicode value, and 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. If Alt+236 does nothing, see Alt codes not working.
Mac
Option+5 types ∞ on the US and ABC layouts in almost any app. On other layouts, use the Character Viewer (Control+Command+Space, search "infinity").
Word, Google Docs and Excel
- Word: Alt+236, or
221Ethen Alt+X. In an equation,\inftyand a space. - Google Docs: Insert → Special characters → search "infinity", or Insert → Equation and type
\infty. - Excel:
=UNICHAR(8734). Avoid=CHAR(236), which gives ì on Windows.
iPhone and Android
Neither standard keyboard has a ∞ key. Searching "infinity" in the emoji keyboard finds ♾️, which is a different character (see below). For the maths sign, copy ∞ from this page and save a text replacement such as ;inf → ∞.
HTML, CSS and LaTeX
HTML: ∞ or ∞. CSS: content: "\221E";. LaTeX: \infty.
∞ is not ♾
The ♾ character (U+267E) was added to Unicode as the "permanent paper sign", a mark for acid-free paper, and phones draw it as a colourful infinity emoji (♾️). It is fine in messages, but in maths, prices ("∞ refills") and text, use the real infinity sign ∞. More on why the same character can look like an emoji or a symbol: emoji vs text symbols.
Where ∞ comes from
The symbol, sometimes called the lemniscate, was introduced into mathematics by the English mathematician John Wallis in 1655. Today it stands for "without limit" in maths and is widely used as a decorative sign for "forever".
Related: our infinity symbols collection, ± plus-minus and the math symbols hub.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Alt code for the infinity symbol?
Alt+236, typed on the numeric keypad without a leading zero. With the zero, Alt+0236 gives the letter ì instead.
How do I type ∞ on a Mac?
Press Option + 5 on the US or ABC keyboard layout.
What is the difference between ∞ and ♾?
∞ (U+221E) is the maths infinity sign. ♾ (U+267E) is the permanent paper sign, which phones usually show as an infinity emoji. Use ∞ in text and maths.
Why does CHAR(236) not give ∞ in Excel?
On Windows, Excel's CHAR uses the Windows-1252 table, where 236 is ì. Use =UNICHAR(8734) to get ∞.
Looking for something else? Browse 1,000+ copy-paste symbols, the full Alt Codes finder, or the emoji picker.