What is the Unicode code point for the summation symbol?

The summation symbol (∑) is U+2211, N-ARY SUMMATION, in the Unicode Mathematical Operators block, decimal 8721.

Is the summation symbol the same as the Greek letter sigma?

They look similar but are different characters. Capital sigma (Σ, U+03A3) is a Greek letter used in words and Greek text. The summation symbol (∑, U+2211) is a separate math operator meant for sums with limits, and most fonts render it wider and taller than the plain Greek letter.

What is the keyboard shortcut for the summation symbol?

There is no classic Alt code. On Windows, type 2211 in Word or Outlook then press Alt+X. On Mac, open Character Viewer with Control+Command+Space and search "summation" or "n-ary". On Linux, press Ctrl+Shift+U, type 2211, then press Enter or Space.

How do I insert the summation symbol in HTML?

Use the named entity ∑ or the numeric entities ∑ (decimal) and ∑ (hex). All three render the same character in every modern browser.

What is the LaTeX command for a summation?

Use \sum in math mode. Add limits with subscript and superscript, for example \sum_{i=1}^{n} x_i for a sum of x_i from i=1 to n. It ships with base LaTeX, no extra package needed.

How do I add limits to the summation symbol outside LaTeX?

Plain Unicode text has no native way to attach limits above and below the symbol the way LaTeX does. In word processors, use the equation editor; in plain text or HTML, write the limits inline next to the symbol, like ∑ (i=1 to n).

Summation Symbol

Name: Summation Symbol
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Author: Nham Vu

Click to copy the summation symbol (∑) and get its Unicode code point, HTML entity, and LaTeX command.

Click the symbol to copy the summation sign to your clipboard.

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How to type it by operating system

Windows

No classic Alt code. In Word or Outlook, type 2211 then press Alt+X.

Mac

No direct key shortcut. Open Character Viewer (Control+Command+Space) and search "summation" or "n-ary".

Linux

Press Ctrl+Shift+U, type 2211, then press Enter or Space.

Summation symbol vs. Greek sigma

The summation symbol ∑ (U+2211) is a dedicated math operator, distinct from the Greek capital letter sigma Σ (U+03A3) used to spell Greek words. They look alike, but most fonts draw the math operator wider and taller so it reads clearly with limits above and below it.

Related math and Greek symbols

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Summary

Click to copy the summation symbol (∑) and get its Unicode code point, HTML entity, and LaTeX command.

How it works

Click the large ∑ symbol at the top, or the "Copy Symbol" button, to copy the character to your clipboard.
The format panel below lists the Unicode code point, HTML named entity, HTML decimal entity, LaTeX command, and CSS content value.
Click any row in the format panel to copy just that value, such as the LaTeX command or the named entity.
The Windows, Mac, and Linux panels show the keyboard method for typing ∑ on each platform.
Use the related symbols cards to jump to pi, infinity, or the Greek letter list for other math notation.

Use cases

Paste the summation symbol into math homework, worksheets, or slides.
Insert ∑ into HTML without breaking encoding.
Grab the LaTeX \sum command for a formula with limits, like \sum_{i=1}^{n} x_i.
Find the Windows method for typing summation when Word or Notepad blocks Unicode input.
Add the CSS content value to a ::before/::after pseudo-element that needs the sigma glyph.
Look up the Unicode code point for the summation operator used in a formula editor or font check.

Frequently Asked Questions

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