The division symbol (÷)
The division symbol ÷ — a line watched by two dots — is the first operator most of us ever meet, and the first one we retire: school exercises love it, algebra replaces it with the fraction bar, and keyboards never gave it a key. This page copies the divide symbol and its modern stand-ins, and shows where each form belongs.
Copy the division signs
Worked examples to copy
Three notations, one operation
| Form | Looks like | Where it rules |
|---|---|---|
| Obelus | 12 ÷ 3 = 4 | Primary school, calculators’ printed keys, everyday notes — the divided by symbol in its classic dress |
| Fraction bar | 12/3 or ¹²⁄₃ | Algebra and beyond: division becomes a fraction, and the fraction becomes the object itself |
| Slash | 12 / 3 | Computing and quick text: the / key is on every keyboard, so code divides with it |
| Ratio colon | 12 : 3 | Some European school traditions write division with a colon |
The dots in ÷ are not decoration: they mark where the two numbers sit — one above, one below the line, a fraction flattened into a single character. The sign’s formal name is the obelus, shared (confusingly) with the † dagger it resembles in old manuscripts.
How to type it
| Platform | Method |
|---|---|
| Windows | Alt + 0247; Word: 00F7 then Alt + X |
| Mac | Option + / |
| Excel / Sheets | The operator is / — =12/3 returns 4; ÷ pastes as text only |
| HTML | ÷ or ÷ |
| Phone | Calculator-style keyboards carry ÷; text keyboards — copy it here |
Explore more
The operator family lives on the math symbols hub, roots are on the square root symbol page, and every sign’s name is listed in the symbol names and meanings guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is ÷ called?
The obelus. In speech it is just “divided by” — “twelve divided by three”.
Why do calculators and code use / instead?
Keyboards: the slash key exists on every layout, ÷ on almost none. Algebra had already moved to fraction bars, so the slash inherited the job in computing.
Is ÷ the same as a fraction slash (⁄)?
Related, different: ⁄ (U+2044) builds compact fractions like ¹²⁄₃ and slants; ÷ (U+00F7) is the standalone operator between two numbers.
What is the Alt code for ÷?
Alt + 0247 on Windows. In Word, 00F7 followed by Alt + X.
Do any countries still teach ÷ as the main sign?
Yes — it remains the standard first division sign in the US, UK and much of Asia’s school systems, while many European classrooms start with the colon or move quickly to fractions.