Epsilon Symbol (ε)
Copy the Epsilon symbol ε to your clipboard, and see its Unicode code point, HTML entity, LaTeX command and how to type it on any device.
What does ε mean?
Epsilon stands for an arbitrarily small positive quantity — central to the epsilon–delta definition of limits in calculus. It also denotes permittivity in electromagnetism, strain in mechanics, and the error term in statistical models. ε is the lowercase form of Epsilon, letter 5 of 24 in the Greek alphabet (pronounced EP-si-lon). Its capital counterpart is Ε. In science and maths it is used for: Small quantity in limits, permittivity, strain.
Codes and properties
| Character | ε |
|---|---|
| Unicode name | GREEK SMALL LETTER EPSILON |
| Code point | U+03B5 |
| Decimal | 949 |
| Unicode block | Greek and Coptic |
| HTML entity | ε · ε · ε |
| CSS | \03B5 |
| JavaScript / JSON | \u03B5 |
| Python | \u03B5 or \N{GREEK SMALL LETTER EPSILON} |
| UTF-8 bytes | CE B5 |
| LaTeX | \varepsilon |
How to type ε
- Copy & paste: press the Copy button above, then paste ε anywhere — Word, Google Docs, email, chat or code.
- Windows (Word, WordPad, Outlook): type
03B5then press Alt+X. In any app, Win+. opens the symbol panel. - Mac: switch to the Unicode Hex Input keyboard, hold Option and type
03B5; or press Ctrl+Cmd+Space and search “greek small letter epsilon”. - Linux (GTK/IBus): press Ctrl+Shift+U, type
03b5, then Space. - HTML:
εrenders as ε. - LaTeX:
\varepsilonin math mode (amssymb package for some symbols). - Note: ε (U+03B5) corresponds to
\varepsilon;\epsilongives the variant form ϵ.
Frequently asked questions
What does ‘epsilon’ mean in limits?
It represents an arbitrarily small positive distance; the epsilon–delta definition formalizes what it means for a function to approach a limit.
Is ε used in electronics?
Yes — permittivity (ε) describes how a material responds to an electric field, key to capacitor design.
How do I type ε on Windows?
In Microsoft Word type 03B5 and press Alt+X. In any app press Win+. to open the symbol panel, or copy ε from this page.
What is the HTML code for ε?
Use ε or ε (hex) or ε (decimal).
What is the LaTeX command for ε?
Use \varepsilon in math mode.