How to Type the Delta Symbol (δ Δ) on a Keyboard

Two versions, multiple uses — here’s every method on every platform

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Like sigma, the delta symbol comes in two forms that appear in very different contexts.

Knowing which one you need before looking up the method saves time and confusion — particularly because uppercase and lowercase delta have almost entirely separate uses.

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The Two Delta Symbols

δ — lowercase delta (Unicode U+03B4). Used in mathematics for small changes or increments, in calculus for the epsilon-delta definition of limits, in physics for partial derivatives and specific quantities, and in chemistry for partial charge notation.

Δ — uppercase Delta (Unicode U+0394). Used in mathematics and science to indicate change or difference — Δx means change in x, ΔT means change in temperature. Also used in genetics, music theory, chemistry for reaction changes, and as a symbol for discriminants in algebra.

Both are covered in the methods below.

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Windows

Method 1: Alt Codes

For uppercase Δ: hold Alt and type 30 on the numeric keypad.

For lowercase δ: hold Alt and type 235 on the numeric keypad.

• 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 δ or Δ in the Greek character block, copy, and paste. Works on any Windows machine regardless of numpad availability.

Method 3: System-Wide Text Expansion

Use PhraseExpress, AutoHotkey, or Espanso to map triggers to both symbols system-wide.

A simple AutoHotkey script:

::\delta::δ
::\Delta::Δ

Works in every application without remembering Alt codes.

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Mac

Method 1: Keyboard Shortcut

Press Option + J to type the lowercase δ instantly on most Mac keyboard configurations.

For uppercase Δ, press Option + J gives δ — for Δ specifically try Option + Shift + J or verify through the Character Viewer since shortcuts vary slightly by keyboard layout and region.

Method 2: Character Viewer

Press Control + Command + Space to open the Character Viewer. Search “delta” and double-click δ or Δ to insert.

This is the most reliable Mac method regardless of keyboard layout — it always shows the correct symbol and inserts it directly without needing to remember shortcuts that can vary by region.

Method 3: Greek Keyboard Layout

Go to System Settings → Keyboard → Input Sources and add the Greek keyboard. With Greek active, δ is on the D key and Δ is on Shift + D — intuitive and fast for anyone using Greek letters regularly.

Method 4: Text Replacement

Go to System Settings → Keyboard → Text Replacements and map \delta to δ and \Delta to Δ. Works system-wide across every Mac app after a one-time setup.

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iPhone and iPad

Method 1: Greek Keyboard

Go to Settings → General → Keyboard → Keyboards → Add New Keyboard and add Greek. With Greek active, tap D for δ and Shift + D for Δ. Switch keyboards using the globe icon.

This is the most practical method for regular delta use on iOS — direct key access without any shortcuts to remember.

Method 2: Text Replacement

Go to Settings → General → Keyboard → Text Replacement. Add δ as the phrase with \delta as the shortcut and Δ with \Delta as its shortcut. Auto-expands in any app after setup.

Method 3: Long Press on D Key

Some iOS keyboards show Greek variants on long press of Latin letters. Try holding the D key and see whether δ appears in the popup. Availability varies by iOS version and keyboard configuration.

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Android

Method 1: Add Greek Keyboard

In Gboard settings, go to Languages → Add Keyboard and add Greek. With Greek active, D produces δ and Shift + D produces Δ.

Method 2: Gboard Symbol Search

In Gboard, tap the G logo and use the search function. Type “delta” and both δ and Δ appear as insertable options. Tap to insert.

This is the fastest method for occasional use on Android — no setup required.

Method 3: Long Press on D Key

On some Android keyboards, holding the D key reveals δ as a long-press option. Try it and see if your keyboard supports it.

Method 4: Text Replacement

In Gboard settings, go to Dictionary → Personal Dictionary, select your language, and add δ with shortcut \delta and Δ with shortcut \Delta.

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Chromebook

Method 1: Unicode Input

For lowercase δ: press Ctrl + Shift + U, type 03b4, then press Enter or Space.

For uppercase Δ: press Ctrl + Shift + U, type 0394, then press Enter or Space.

Method 2: Add Greek Input Method

Go to Settings → Device → Keyboard → Input Methods and add Greek. With Greek active, δ is on D and Δ is on Shift + D.

Method 3: Special Characters Picker

Press Search + Shift + Space to open the emoji and special characters panel. Search “delta” and select δ or Δ.

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Linux

Method 1: Unicode Input

For lowercase δ: press Ctrl + Shift + U, type 03b4, then press Enter.

For uppercase Δ: press Ctrl + Shift + U, type 0394, then press Enter.

Works consistently across most Linux distributions and desktop environments.

Method 2: Compose Key

With a Compose key configured, check your distribution’s compose key table for delta sequences. Availability varies by distribution and compose key configuration.

Method 3: Greek Keyboard Layout

Add the Greek keyboard layout through your input method settings. δ on D and Δ on Shift + D — fastest for regular Greek letter use.

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Microsoft Word (Any Platform)

Method 1: Alt + X

For δ: type 03B4 then immediately press Alt + X.

For Δ: type 0394 then immediately press Alt + X.

Word converts the Unicode code point to the symbol instantly.

Method 2: Insert Symbol With AutoCorrect

Go to Insert → Symbol → More Symbols. Select Greek and Coptic from the character set dropdown. Find δ or Δ, click Insert, then click AutoCorrect to set triggers like \delta and \Delta that Word converts automatically as you type.

Method 3: Equation Editor

For mathematical documents where delta appears in formal equations, press Alt + = to open an equation field and type \delta or \Delta followed by Space. Word’s equation editor renders properly formatted math-mode delta symbols including in expressions like Δx and δt.

Method 4: Alt Codes

For Δ: hold Alt and type 30 on the numpad. For δ: hold Alt and type 235 on the numpad.

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Google Docs

Character Viewer on Mac works inside Google Docs. Alt codes work on Windows inside Docs.

For equations, go to Insert → Equation and type \delta or \Delta followed by Space — Google’s equation editor renders them correctly in math formatting.

Go to Insert → Special Characters, search “delta,” and click to insert for occasional inline use without remembering shortcuts.

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LaTeX

In LaTeX, both delta symbols are typed as commands in math mode:

latex

% Lowercase delta — small change or limit definition
Let $\delta > 0$ such that $|x - a| < \delta$.

% Uppercase Delta — change or difference
The change in temperature is $\Delta T = T_2 - T_1$.

% Partial derivative context
$\frac{\partial f}{\partial x}$ uses \partial, not delta

Note that partial derivatives in LaTeX use \partial (∂) rather than delta — a common point of confusion. Use \delta and \Delta for the Greek letters and \partial for the partial derivative symbol.

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HTML and Web Development

html

<!-- Lowercase delta -->
&delta;       <!-- named entity -->
&#948;        <!-- decimal -->
&#x03B4;      <!-- hex -->
δ             <!-- direct character -->

<!-- Uppercase Delta -->
&Delta;       <!-- named entity -->
&#916;        <!-- decimal -->
&#x0394;      <!-- hex -->
Δ             <!-- direct character -->

Named entities δ and Δ are the most readable in HTML source.

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The Partial Derivative Symbol ∂ — Often Confused With Delta

Worth mentioning directly because it comes up constantly when delta is the topic. The partial derivative symbol ∂ (Unicode U+2202) looks similar to a lowercase d but is distinct from δ (lowercase delta). They appear in related mathematical contexts which causes the confusion.

To type ∂:

• Windows: Alt + 8706 on numpad
• Mac: Option + D
• Word: Type 2202 then Alt + X
• LaTeX: \partial in math mode
• HTML: ∂ or ∂

If you need ∂ rather than δ, these are the methods to use.

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Quick Reference Table

Symbol	Platform	Fastest Method	Shortcut
δ	Windows	Alt code (numpad)	Alt + 235
Δ	Windows	Alt code (numpad)	Alt + 30
δ	Mac	Character Viewer	Control + Command + Space
Δ	Mac	Character Viewer	Control + Command + Space
δ / Δ	iPhone / iPad	Greek keyboard	Add Greek, tap D / Shift + D
δ / Δ	Android	Gboard search	Search “delta” in G menu
δ	Chromebook	Unicode input	Ctrl + Shift + U, 03b4
Δ	Chromebook	Unicode input	Ctrl + Shift + U, 0394
δ	Linux	Unicode input	Ctrl + Shift + U, 03b4
Δ	Linux	Unicode input	Ctrl + Shift + U, 0394
δ	Microsoft Word	Code conversion	Type 03B4 then Alt + X
Δ	Microsoft Word	Code conversion	Type 0394 then Alt + X
δ / Δ	LaTeX	Math commands	\delta / \Delta in math mode

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The Bottom Line

The Greek keyboard is the best long-term solution for anyone who uses delta and other Greek letters regularly — δ on D and Δ on Shift + D on every platform that supports it. It extends naturally to the rest of the Greek alphabet without learning separate codes for each letter.

For occasional use, the Character Viewer on Mac and Gboard’s symbol search on Android find both symbols immediately without any setup. On Windows, Alt + 30 for Δ and Alt + 235 for δ work reliably with a numpad.

For mathematical writing in Word, LaTeX, or Google Docs, the equation editor with \delta and \Delta produces properly formatted math-mode output — and remembering that \partial is the separate symbol for partial derivatives avoids the most common delta-related confusion in mathematical typesetting.

Greek keyboard for regular use. Character Viewer on Mac. Gboard search on Android. \delta and \Delta in LaTeX. And \partial when you need the partial derivative symbol — not the same thing.