Copy infinity as text
The infinity symbol ∞ is Unicode U+221E. Although its shape resembles a sideways figure eight, rotating an ordinary 8 produces a visual transformation rather than the same text character. Copying ∞ preserves the actual symbol when you move text between supported applications.
The symbol can appear in mathematical writing or decorative text. It does not automatically make a value infinite in a spreadsheet or programming language. A copied symbol is text unless the destination system explicitly interprets it another way.
Pick a supported insertion method
Word for Windows can convert 221E with Alt + X. Select only those four digits before pressing the shortcut. The final E is part of the hexadecimal code; dropping it or replacing the whole value with a decimal number changes what Word converts.
There is no source-verified Windows numeric-keypad Alt sequence for this symbol in the current collection. Use direct copying, Word's conversion feature, or a source-backed symbol picker rather than assuming a Unicode decimal value is an Alt code. The reference below separates these methods by platform.
Use infinity in an Excel label
The formula =UNICHAR(8734) returns ∞. This is useful for a label, legend or explanatory note. The returned character is not a numeric infinity value, and inserting it does not change the meaning of neighboring numbers or formulas.
If you are preparing a mathematical equation, your editor may have dedicated equation tools with their own spacing and semantics. Ordinary text insertion is suitable when you need the glyph itself; choose the editor's equation features when you need a structured expression.
Why does the pasted symbol look different?
Fonts control the loop shape, line weight and width. Some emoji presentations also include a variation selector after the infinity character. Copying from an emoji tool can therefore produce a different sequence from the plain ∞ offered in this guide.
Use this guide's copy box for the plain mathematical symbol. For HTML, ∞ is its named character reference. Paste the actual symbol into normal text fields, where an HTML reference may otherwise remain visible as literal text.
Quick reference
| Character | ∞ |
|---|---|
| Unicode | U+221E |
| Decimal | 8734 |
| HTML entity | ∞ |
| HTML decimal | ∞ |
| HTML hex | ∞ |
| UTF-8 bytes | E2 88 9E |
Typing methods by platform
These instructions are checked against the linked documentation. They are not a claim of testing on every device or app version.
Windows
No verified shortcut is currently available for this platform. Copy the symbol above instead.
Mac
Character Viewer
Choose Edit → Emoji & Symbols, search for “infinity” or its code 221E, then select the character to insert it.
Expand Character Viewer if needed. Available characters depend on font support.
Read the source ↗Word
Unicode conversion in Word for Windows
Type 221E, select those hexadecimal digits, then press Alt + X to insert ∞.
Applies to Word for Windows. Use a font that contains the character. This is Unicode conversion, not a Windows Alt code.
Read the source ↗Excel
=UNICHAR(8734)
Enter =UNICHAR(8734) in a cell to return ∞.
Excel 2013 or later. The English function name is shown; localized Excel may use another name. Paste values if you need text without a formula.
Read the source ↗Google Docs
Insert → Special characters
On a computer, choose Insert → Special characters and search for U+221E or infinity. Select the matching symbol.
Google Docs and Slides on desktop. If the picker does not offer the symbol, copy it here and paste it into your document.
Read the source ↗Linux
Ctrl + Shift + U, 221E, Enter
In a compatible GNOME/GTK text field, press Ctrl + Shift + U, release the keys, type 221E, then press Enter.
Applies to GNOME/GTK Unicode entry, not every Linux application. Use copy and paste when the app intercepts this shortcut.
Read the source ↗