How to Type the Cubed Symbol (³) on a Keyboard

A superscript 3 — here’s every method on every platform

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The cubed symbol ³ (Unicode U+00B3) is the superscript 3 used in mathematical and scientific notation — m³ for cubic meters, cm³ for cubic centimeters, x³ for x cubed.

It’s a single Unicode character rather than a formatted 3, which means it works in plain text, chat apps, and anywhere Unicode renders correctly — not just in word processors that support text formatting.

Here’s every method on every platform.

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The Two Approaches

Unicode superscript 3 (³) — a single character that looks like a raised 3. Works in plain text, chat, social media, and documents. This is U+00B3 and is what most people need.

Formatted superscript — a regular 3 that’s been raised and shrunk using a word processor’s formatting tools. Works in Word, Google Docs, and similar applications. Doesn’t work in plain text or chat.

For most everyday uses — typing m³ in a message, writing a formula in a document, labeling a unit — the Unicode character is the right choice. For formal mathematical typesetting, the formatted approach or LaTeX is more appropriate.

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Windows

Method 1: Alt Code

Hold Alt and type 0179 on the numeric keypad. Release Alt and ³ appears.

• Num Lock must be on
• Use the numeric keypad only — not the number row
• Doesn’t work on laptops without a dedicated numpad

Method 2: Character Map

Search for Character Map in the Start menu. Find ³ in the Latin-1 Supplement block, copy, and paste. Works on any Windows machine.

Method 3: System-Wide Text Expansion

Use PhraseExpress, AutoHotkey, or Espanso to map a trigger like ^3 or **3 to ³ system-wide.

A simple AutoHotkey script:

::^3::³

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Mac

Method 1: Character Viewer

Press Control + Command + Space to open the Character Viewer. Search “superscript 3” or simply “cubed” and double-click ³ to insert.

Method 2: Keyboard Shortcut

On some Mac keyboard layouts, ³ is accessible through Option + 3 — though this varies by region. Test it on your specific keyboard. If it doesn’t produce ³ directly, the Character Viewer is the most reliable method.

Method 3: Text Replacement

Go to System Settings → Keyboard → Text Replacements and map a trigger like ^3 or **3 to ³. Works system-wide across every Mac app.

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iPhone and iPad

Method 1: Symbols Page

Tap ?123 to switch to numbers and symbols, then look through the available symbol pages. ³ may appear on the extended symbols screen depending on your iOS version and keyboard.

Method 2: Text Replacement

Go to Settings → General → Keyboard → Text Replacement. Add ³ as the phrase and a trigger like ^3 or **3 as the shortcut. Auto-expands in any text field across iOS after setup.

This is the most reliable method for regular use on iOS — a one-time setup that gives you ³ anywhere with a short trigger.

Method 3: Copy and Keep Accessible

Type ³ once using another method, copy it, and save it in a note for easy pasting when needed.

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Android

Method 1: Long Press the 3 Key

On Gboard and many Android keyboards, tap and hold the 3 key on the number row. A popup appears showing ³ as a superscript variant. Slide to it and release.

This is the fastest method on Android — no setup required and immediately accessible.

Method 2: Gboard Symbol Search

In Gboard, tap the G logo and use the search function. Type “superscript 3” or “cubed” and ³ appears as an insertable option.

Method 3: Text Replacement

In Gboard settings, go to Dictionary → Personal Dictionary and add ³ with a shortcut like ^3.

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Chromebook

Method 1: Unicode Input

Press Ctrl + Shift + U, type 00b3, then press Enter or Space. ³ appears at your cursor immediately.

Method 2: Special Characters Picker

Press Search + Shift + Space to open the emoji and special characters panel. Search “superscript” or “cubed” and select ³.

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Linux

Method 1: Unicode Input

Press Ctrl + Shift + U, type 00b3, then press Enter. Works consistently across most Linux distributions.

Method 2: Compose Key

With a Compose key configured, the sequence **Compose + 3 + ^ ** or Compose + ^ + 3 produces ³ on many Linux configurations.

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Microsoft Word (Any Platform)

Method 1: Keyboard Shortcut

Select the 3 you want to superscript and press Ctrl + Shift + + (Ctrl, Shift, and the plus key). The 3 becomes superscripted. For typing in superscript mode, activate the shortcut before typing, press 3, then press the shortcut again to return to normal.

Alternatively type a regular 3, select it, and press Ctrl + Shift + + to convert it.

Method 2: Alt + X

Type 00B3 then immediately press Alt + X. Word converts the code to ³ instantly — this inserts the actual Unicode superscript character rather than a formatted 3.

Method 3: Insert Symbol With AutoCorrect

Go to Insert → Symbol → More Symbols. Find ³ in the Latin-1 Supplement block, insert it, and click AutoCorrect to set a trigger like ^3 that Word converts automatically.

Method 4: Alt Code

Hold Alt and type 0179 on the numpad — same as the standard Windows method.

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Google Docs

Ctrl + . toggles superscript in Google Docs — press it, type 3, press it again to return to normal. This creates a formatted superscript 3 rather than the Unicode character.

For the actual Unicode character, the Alt code works on Windows inside Docs. Go to Insert → Special Characters, search “superscript 3,” and click to insert.

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LaTeX

latex

% Cubed in math mode
$x^3$
$V = r^3$
$m^3$

% In text with units — use siunitx for proper formatting
\usepackage{siunitx}
\SI{5}{\metre\cubed}    % 5 m³
\SI{10}{\centi\metre^3} % 10 cm³

% Or directly in text mode
$\text{m}^3$

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HTML

html

<!-- Superscript 3 using sup tag -->
m<sup>3</sup>
x<sup>3</sup>

<!-- Unicode character directly -->
³
&#179;      <!-- decimal -->
&#xB3;      <!-- hex -->

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The Squared Symbol Too

Since ² (squared, U+00B2) is almost always needed alongside ³, here’s a quick reference:

Symbol	Windows	Mac	Android	Chromebook	Word
² squared	Alt + 0178	Character Viewer	Long press 2	Ctrl+Shift+U, 00b2	Type 00B2 Alt+X
³ cubed	Alt + 0179	Character Viewer	Long press 3	Ctrl+Shift+U, 00b3	Type 00B3 Alt+X

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Quick Reference Table

Platform	Fastest Method	Shortcut
Windows	Alt code (numpad)	Alt + 0179
Mac	Character Viewer	Control + Command + Space
iPhone / iPad	Text replacement	Set ^3 → ³ in settings
Android	Long press 3 key	Hold 3 in number row
Chromebook	Unicode input	Ctrl + Shift + U, 00b3
Linux	Unicode input	Ctrl + Shift + U, 00b3
Microsoft Word	Superscript shortcut	Ctrl + Shift + +, then 3
LaTeX	Math mode	x3x^3 x3
HTML	sup tag	<sup>3</sup>

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The Bottom Line

On Android, the long press on the 3 key is the fastest and most immediate method — no setup, works everywhere, done in a second. On Windows, Alt + 0179 on the numpad covers most situations. On Mac, the Character Viewer finds it quickly. In Word, Ctrl + Shift + + toggles superscript and you type the 3 directly.

For anyone who types cubic units frequently — engineers, scientists, students — a text expansion shortcut mapping ^3 to ³ is worth two minutes to set up on your primary platform. It works system-wide and makes the correct Unicode superscript character no harder to type than the regular 3.

*Alt + 0179 on Windows. Long press 3 on Android. Character Viewer on Mac. And x3x^3×3 in LaTeX — the cubed symbol is one shortcut away on every platform.*