What is the alpha symbol?

Alpha is the first letter of the Greek alphabet, written Α in uppercase and α in lowercase. It is used across math, physics, statistics, and engineering to represent angles, coefficients, and significance levels.

How do I type the alpha symbol on a keyboard?

On Windows, Alt+224 may enter lowercase α in applications that support the legacy Alt-code mapping. On Mac, switch to a Greek input source and press the A key, or open Character Viewer with Control+Command+Space and search for “alpha.” You can also copy it directly from this page.

What is the Unicode code point for alpha?

Lowercase alpha is U+03B1 (GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA) and uppercase Alpha is U+0391 (GREEK CAPITAL LETTER ALPHA).

What is the LaTeX command for alpha?

Use \alpha in math mode to render the lowercase letter (α). Uppercase Alpha looks identical to the Latin letter A, so LaTeX has no separate command; just type A.

What does alpha mean in statistics?

In hypothesis testing, alpha (α) is the significance level, the probability of rejecting a true null hypothesis. A common choice is α = 0.05, meaning a 5 percent chance of a false positive.

What does alpha mean in physics?

Alpha commonly denotes angular acceleration, a decay constant, or an alpha particle (a helium nucleus emitted in radioactive decay), depending on the context of the equation.

How do I type alpha in Word?

Type 03B1 and press Alt+X to turn the code into α (0391 for capital Α). In an equation, type \alpha and press Space. You can also use Insert > Symbol and pick Greek and Coptic.

Is α the same as the "proportional to" sign?

No. The proportional-to sign ∝ (U+221D) looks a bit like α but is a math operator meaning "varies directly with". Use α for the Greek letter and ∝ for proportionality, so search and screen readers treat each one correctly.

Alpha Symbol

Click the alpha symbol (α) to copy it, or copy its uppercase form, Unicode, HTML entity, LaTeX, and Alt code formats.

The lowercase alpha symbol is α (U+03B1) and the capital is Α (U+0391).

Click to Copy

Greek small letter alpha (U+03B1)

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Codes & Formats

Unicode code point

U+03B1

HTML entity (named)

HTML entity (numeric)

CSS escape

\03B1

JavaScript escape

\u03B1

LaTeX command

\alpha

Windows Alt code

Alt + 224

Mac input

Greek input source: A
or Character Viewer

Common Uses

Math & Geometry

sin(α), angle α

Statistics

α = 0.05 (significance level)

Physics

α-particle, angular acceleration

Finance & Naming

Alpha release, portfolio alpha

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Quick answer

The lowercase alpha symbol is α (U+03B1) and the capital is Α (U+0391). Click either one on this page to copy it, or type it with the method for your app.

Examples

Where	How to type α
Windows	Alt + 224 on the number pad (in apps that support legacy Alt codes)
Word	Type 03B1, then press Alt + X
Excel or Google Sheets	=UNICHAR(945)
Mac	Control + Command + Space, then search "alpha"
LaTeX	\alpha in math mode
HTML	α or α

Click α to copy it.

Summary

Alpha (Α, α) is the first letter of the Greek alphabet and one of the most widely borrowed symbols in science and math. Lowercase alpha (α) commonly denotes an angle, a significance level in statistics, a coefficient in physics equations, or the alpha channel in graphics, while uppercase Alpha (Α) shows up in naming conventions and finance. This tool gives you a one-click copy of both cases plus every code format you might need: Unicode code point, HTML entity, LaTeX command, and the Windows Alt code.

How it works

Click the large α symbol to copy the lowercase letter to your clipboard.
Click the uppercase Α button if you need the capital form instead.
Pick a code format (Unicode, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, LaTeX, or Alt code) and click its copy button.
Paste the copied symbol or code into your document, spreadsheet, or code editor.

Use cases

Write an angle label in a geometry or trigonometry problem, such as sin(α).
Denote a significance level in a statistics report, such as α = 0.05.
Reference a coefficient or decay constant in a physics or engineering formula.
Add the Unicode or HTML entity code to a web page, LaTeX paper, or spreadsheet.
Type the Greek letter on a device where a Greek keyboard layout is not available.
Label a variant or version, such as an "alpha" release or an alpha particle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: 2026-09-09 · Reviewed by Nham Vu