Physics Symbols (λ ω Ω µ ℏ Å Δ) and How to Type Them

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

Quick answer: most physics symbols are Greek letters or units. A few have real Windows Alt codes (Ω Alt+234, µ Alt+0181, Å Alt+0197, ° Alt+0176) and Mac shortcuts (Ω Option+Z, µ Option+M, ∂ Option+D). For λ, ω, ℏ and the rest, use Word's Alt+X code from the table above, an equation editor or copy and paste.

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.

Common physics symbols

The look-alike traps

Several physics symbols exist twice in Unicode, once as a letter and once as a "compatibility" symbol. They look identical, but search, copy-paste and screen readers treat them differently:

• Ω Greek capital omega (U+03A9) vs the ohm sign (U+2126): Unicode recommends the Greek letter, which is also what Alt+234 and Option+Z produce.
• Å the letter (U+00C5) vs the ångström sign (U+212B): the letter is recommended.
• µ micro sign vs μ Greek mu: see the FAQ below.
• ℏ vs ħ: the physics constant vs a Maltese letter.
• Δ Greek delta vs ∆ increment: both are used for "change in". Mac's Option+J types ∆.

Windows

• Real Alt codes: Ω Alt+234, µ Alt+0181 (or Alt+230), Å Alt+0197, ° Alt+0176.
• Word: code + Alt+X or the equation commands above (press Alt+= first). See symbols in Word.
• Units with exponents (m/s², 10⁻⁶): use superscript characters or formatting, see squared and cubed.

Mac

Ω Option+Z, µ Option+M, ∂ Option+D, ∆ Option+J, ° Shift+Option+8, Å Shift+Option+A. For λ, ω and ℏ, use the Character Viewer or the Greek keyboard. See Greek letters.

LaTeX

\lambda, \nu, \omega, \Omega, \hbar, \Delta, \partial. For units, the siunitx package (\si{\micro\metre}, \SI{5}{\ohm}) produces correct spacing. More in LaTeX math symbols.

Related: calculus symbols, chemistry symbols, our Greek and letterlike symbols pages.

Frequently asked questions