One Half Symbol (½)
Copy the One Half symbol ½ to your clipboard, and see its Unicode code point, HTML entity, LaTeX command and how to type it on any device.
What does ½ mean?
One half (½) as a single character, useful in recipes, measurements and plain text where a stacked fraction is not available. Its official Unicode name is VULGAR FRACTION ONE HALF.
Codes and properties
| Character | ½ |
|---|---|
| Unicode name | VULGAR FRACTION ONE HALF |
| Code point | U+00BD |
| Decimal | 189 |
| Unicode block | Latin-1 Supplement |
| HTML entity | ½ · ½ · ½ |
| CSS | \00BD |
| JavaScript / JSON | \u00BD |
| Python | \u00BD or \N{VULGAR FRACTION ONE HALF} |
| UTF-8 bytes | C2 BD |
| LaTeX | \frac{1}{2} |
How to type ½
- Copy & paste: press the Copy button above, then paste ½ anywhere — Word, Google Docs, email, chat or code.
- Windows (Word, WordPad, Outlook): type
00BDthen press Alt+X. In any app, Win+. opens the symbol panel. - Windows Alt code: hold Alt and type
0189(or171) on the numeric keypad (Num Lock on), then release Alt. Works in Word, Notepad and most desktop apps. - Mac (any symbol): switch to the Unicode Hex Input keyboard, hold Option and type
00BD; or press Ctrl+Cmd+Space and search “vulgar fraction one half”. - Linux (GTK/IBus): press Ctrl+Shift+U, type
00bd, then Space. - HTML:
½renders as ½. - LaTeX:
\frac{1}{2}in math mode (amssymb package for some symbols).
Frequently asked questions
How do I type ½ on Windows?
In Microsoft Word type 00BD and press Alt+X. In any app press Win+. to open the symbol panel, or copy ½ from this page. You can also hold Alt and type 0189 on the numeric keypad.
How do I type ½ on a Mac?
Open the Character Viewer with Ctrl+Cmd+Space and search “vulgar fraction one half”, or switch to Unicode Hex Input and hold Option while typing 00BD.
What is the HTML code for ½?
Use ½ or ½ (hex) or ½ (decimal).
What is the LaTeX command for ½?
Use \frac{1}{2} in math mode.
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Reference: Unicode code chart: Latin-1 Supplement (U+0080–U+00FF)