x̄
Unicode
U+0078 + U+0304LaTeX
\bar{x}HTML entity
HTML decimal
x̄MathML
<mover><mi>x</mi><mo>¯</mo></mover>Semantic identity and intent
Characters to distinguish
- μ — Population Mean
- ∑ — Summation
Use x̄ in the right format
Meaning and usage
Represents the arithmetic mean of a sample.
Distinguish it from the population mean, commonly written with Greek mu.
Pronunciation: sample mean
Formula examples
\bar{x}=\frac{1}{n}\sum_{i=1}^{n}x_iHow to type Sample Mean
- Windows
- Use Character Map or enter U+0078 + U+0304 in a Unicode-aware app.
- macOS
- Open Character Viewer with Control–Command–Space and search by name.
- Microsoft Word
- Type \bar{x} in an equation and press Space.
- iPhone and iPad
- Copy and paste x̄, or use a math/LaTeX app. The standard iOS keyboard may not expose every mathematical symbol.
- Android
- Copy and paste x̄, or use a math keyboard or LaTeX editor. Keyboard layouts vary by device and app.
- Google Docs
- For plain text, paste x̄ or use Insert → Special characters. For structured math, use the equation editor and verify \bar{x}.
- Excel
- Paste x̄ into a cell or use Insert → Symbol when available. Ordinary cells preserve the character but do not interpret LaTeX commands.
Common mistakes
- Define x̄ near first use because statistical and probability conventions can distinguish sample, population, estimator, and parameter meanings.
- For plain text, copy x̄ as U+0078 + U+0304; for structured equations, use \bar{x} in math mode. A look-alike glyph or image can break search, accessibility, or parsing when the intended character is Sample Mean.
When to use x̄
- Use x̄ in plain text when a Unicode character is appropriate and the destination preserves U+0078 + U+0304.
- Use \bar{x} in an equation editor when mathematical spacing or structure matters.
- Define the local meaning when Sample Mean is used in statistics with a field-specific convention.
Look-alikes and related characters
- μ — Population Mean
- ∑ — Summation
Font and compatibility notes
Glyph shape can vary by font. Verify the code point after copying, and prefer LaTeX or MathML for structured equations.
Continue the workflow
From Sample Mean to a finished equation
- Copy the characterUse x̄ in plain text when Unicode is accepted.
- Choose a structured formatUse
\bar{x}for LaTeX or the MathML snippet for accessible web equations. - Edit or convertOpen the value in the editor or converter without retyping it.
Review and source notes
Quality tier: specialist
Last reviewed: 2026-07-23
Review method: Catalog review of character identity and notation mappings.
Verified against: Unicode Standard, Unicode mathematical notation guidance, and established LaTeX/MathML syntax.
Reference sources
- The Unicode StandardUnicode Consortium — Character identity, encoding, names, and conformance.
- Unicode Character Code ChartsUnicode Consortium — Code points and official character charts.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Sample Mean symbol mean?
Represents the arithmetic mean of a sample.
What is the LaTeX command for x̄?
Use \bar{x} in a compatible math environment.
Can I copy x̄ as Unicode?
Yes. Use the copy button above to copy the Unicode character directly.