How to Type One Half Fraction (½)

Quick answer

How to type the One Half Fraction on Windows

Hold Alt and type 0189 on the numeric keypad (Num Lock on), then release Alt.

You can also type 171 on the numeric keypad (older code page).

No numeric keypad? On a laptop, use Win + . or open Character Map (search for charmap in Start).

In Microsoft Word, type 00BD and then press Alt + X to turn the code into ½.

How to type the One Half Fraction on a Mac

Press Ctrl + Cmd + Space to open the Character Viewer, search for the name and double-click it.

On a Chromebook or Linux

Press Ctrl + Shift + U, type 00bd, then press Enter or Space.

On iPhone and Android

Switch to the symbols keyboard (123 then #+= on iPhone, ?123 then =\< on Android). If it is not there, copy it from this page.

In Google Docs

Go to Insert > Special characters and search for "one half fraction".

About this character

A single character for one half.

In Excel and Google Sheets

Use the formula =UNICHAR(189) in Excel 2013 or later and in Google Sheets. It returns ½ in the cell, so you can combine it with other text, for example ="25"&UNICHAR(189).

In Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Outlook

• Unicode shortcut: type 00BD, then press Alt + X. Word turns the code into ½. Press Alt + X again to turn it back into the code.
• Insert menu: Insert > Symbol > More Symbols, choose the "(normal text)" font, set "from" to Unicode (hex) and enter 00BD in the Character code box.
• AutoCorrect shortcut: File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options. Type a shortcut such as (x) in "Replace" and ½ in "With". From then on, Word replaces the shortcut automatically.

Make your own shortcut on any device

• Mac, iPhone and iPad: System Settings > Keyboard > Text Replacements (Mac) or Settings > General > Keyboard > Text Replacement (iPhone and iPad). Add ½ with a short phrase. It syncs across your Apple devices.
• Android (Gboard): Settings > Dictionary > Personal dictionary > choose your language > + . Enter ½ as the word and a shortcut.
• Windows: press Win + V to turn on clipboard history and pin ½ so it is always one click away.

For developers

Alt code not working?

1. Turn on Num Lock. Alt codes only work with the numeric keypad, not the number row above the letters.
2. Hold Alt the whole time and type all digits before releasing it.
3. Laptop without a keypad? Use Win + . (period) to open the symbol panel, or copy ½ from the top of this page.
4. Wrong character appears? Codes with a leading zero (Alt + 0xxx) and codes without one (Alt + xxx) come from different character sets, so they give different characters. Use the code exactly as shown on this page.
5. Some apps block Alt codes. In that case use copy and paste or the Unicode method above.

Character details

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Type symbols faster

If you use a symbol every day, a text replacement shortcut is the fastest method on every device: type a short code such as "(deg)" and your computer or phone swaps in the symbol automatically. For symbols you use only occasionally, keep this page bookmarked or install Typeri as an app for one-tap access, even offline. And if you are still looking at the number row while you type codes, our number drills build the muscle memory for every digit.

More questions

What is the Unicode for one half fraction? U+00BD, decimal 189.

How do I type ½ on a laptop without a number pad? Press Win + . (period) to open the emoji and symbol panel, or type the hex code followed by Alt + X in Word. On a Mac, use the Option shortcut or Ctrl + Cmd + Space.

How do I insert ½ in Excel? Type =UNICHAR(189) in a cell, or copy ½ from this page and paste it.

Why does my Alt code type the wrong symbol? Codes with a leading zero use the Windows-1252 character set, and codes without it use the older code page 437, so Alt + 0xxx and Alt + xxx give different characters. Also make sure you use the numeric keypad with Num Lock on.

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