What is the prime symbol used for?

The prime symbol (′) marks a derivative in calculus, a transformed point in geometry (A′), feet in a measurement, or minutes of arc in a coordinate. The double prime (″) marks inches or seconds of arc.

Is the prime symbol the same as an apostrophe?

No. An apostrophe (') and straight quote (") are typewriter punctuation, while the prime (′) and double prime (″) are distinct Unicode characters built for math and measurement. Using the wrong one can break searches, screen readers, and typesetting software.

How do I type the prime symbol in LaTeX?

In math mode, a single apostrophe renders as a prime: $f'(x)$ produces f′(x). Two apostrophes produce a double prime: $f''(x)$ produces f″(x). You can also use the explicit \prime command inside a superscript.

What is the HTML entity for the prime symbol?

Use ′ or the numeric entity ′ for a single prime (′). Use ″ or ″ for a double prime (″).

What is the Unicode code point for the prime symbol?

The prime sign is U+2032 and the double prime is U+2033. Both live in the General Punctuation block, separate from the apostrophe (U+0027) and quotation mark (U+0022).

How do I type the prime symbol on Mac or Windows?

On Mac, switch to the Unicode Hex Input keyboard, then hold Option and type 2032 (or 2033 for double prime). On Windows, type 2032 then press Alt+X in Word or another app that supports Unicode conversion, or copy the symbol directly from this page.

Why do feet and inches use prime symbols?

Surveyors and cartographers adopted the prime and double prime for feet/inches and degrees/minutes/seconds because both are subdivisions of a larger unit, the same relationship a prime marks in math notation.

Prime Symbol

Name: Prime Symbol
Availability: InStock
Author: Nham Vu

Copy the prime (′) and double prime (″) symbols and find their Unicode, LaTeX, and HTML entity codes.

Prime & Double Prime

Click a symbol to copy it

Formats

Format	Prime	Double prime
Character
Unicode
HTML entity
HTML decimal
CSS escape
LaTeX (math mode)

Click any row to copy that exact string.

Keyboard Shortcuts

System	Shortcut	Notes
Windows (Word)		Type 2032, then press Alt+X to convert it to the prime symbol.
Windows (Word, double)		Type 2033, then press Alt+X to convert it to the double prime symbol.
Mac		Switch to the Unicode Hex Input keyboard, then hold Option and type 2032 (or 2033).
Linux (GTK)		Type the hex code, then press Enter or Space.

Feet & Inches Builder

Enter feet and inches to build a ready-to-paste measurement like 5′ 9″.

Copied!

Summary

Copy the prime (′) and double prime (″) symbols and find their Unicode, LaTeX, and HTML entity codes.

How it works

Click the large prime or double prime symbol to copy it to your clipboard.
Or click any row in the format table to copy that exact string for Unicode, HTML, or LaTeX.
Use the shortcut table to type either symbol directly from your keyboard.
Use the feet and inches builder to generate a ready-to-paste measurement like 5′ 9″.

Use cases

Label a transformed point in geometry, such as A′ after a reflection.
Write a derivative like f′(x) in math notation.
Record a height or measurement in feet and inches, such as 5′ 9″.
Write a coordinate in degrees, minutes, and seconds, such as 40° 26′ 46″ N.
Insert the correct HTML entity into a web page instead of a straight quote character.
Fix a document where an apostrophe or straight quote was used instead of the real prime symbol.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: 2026-07-22 · Reviewed by Nham Vu