µ
Unicode
U+00B5LaTeX
\muHTML entity
HTML decimal
µMathML
<mo>µ</mo>Semantic identity and intent
Characters to distinguish
- ∆ — Laplacian Symbol
- ℏ — Reduced Planck Constant
- Å — Angstrom
Use µ in the right format
Meaning and usage
The SI prefix for one millionth, 10⁻⁶.
Use it directly before a unit symbol without a space.
Pronunciation: micro sign
Formula examples
5\,\mu\text{m}How to type Micro Sign
- Windows
- Open Character Map and search by name or Unicode U+00B5.
- macOS
- Open Character Viewer with Control–Command–Space and search by the symbol name.
- Microsoft Word
- In an equation, type \mu and press Space when Word supports the command.
- iPhone and iPad
- Copy and paste µ, or use a math/LaTeX app. The standard iOS keyboard may not expose every mathematical symbol.
- Android
- Copy and paste µ, or use a math keyboard or LaTeX editor. Keyboard layouts vary by device and app.
- Google Docs
- For plain text, paste µ or use Insert → Special characters. For structured math, use the equation editor and verify \mu.
- Excel
- Paste µ into a cell or use Insert → Symbol when available. Ordinary cells preserve the character but do not interpret LaTeX commands.
Common mistakes
- Keep µ attached to the correct quantity and follow the destination's unit, currency, spacing, and decimal conventions.
- For plain text, copy µ as U+00B5; for structured equations, use \mu in math mode. A look-alike glyph or image can break search, accessibility, or parsing when the intended character is Micro Sign.
When to use µ
- Use µ in plain text when a Unicode character is appropriate and the destination preserves U+00B5.
- Use \mu in an equation editor when mathematical spacing or structure matters.
- Define the local meaning when Micro Sign is used in physics, currency measurement with a field-specific convention.
Look-alikes and related characters
- ∆ — Laplacian Symbol
- ℏ — Reduced Planck Constant
- Å — Angstrom
Font and compatibility notes
Font coverage varies; verify the code point and destination rendering before publication.
Continue the workflow
From Micro Sign to a finished equation
- Copy the characterUse µ in plain text when Unicode is accepted.
- Choose a structured formatUse
\mufor 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: catalog
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 Micro Sign symbol mean?
The SI prefix for one millionth, 10⁻⁶.
What is the LaTeX command for µ?
Use \mu in a compatible math environment.
Can I copy µ as Unicode?
Yes. Use the copy button above to copy the Unicode character directly.