About one half
The one-half character is a precomposed fraction. Use it where compact text is useful; use equation formatting when you need consistent stacked fractions with other values.
How to type ½
Source-checked methodsWindows
Numeric keypadAlt + 0189
In a compatible Windows app, hold Alt, type 0189 on the numeric keypad, then release Alt.
Enable Num Lock and include the leading zero. Microsoft documents this sequence in Word; behavior in other apps and code pages may differ.
Source documentationMicrosoft Word
Windows desktopUnicode conversion in Word for Windows
Type 00BD, select those hexadecimal digits, then press Alt + X to insert ½.
Applies to Word for Windows. Use a font that contains the character. This is Unicode conversion, not a Windows Alt code.
Source documentationmacOS
Character ViewerCharacter Viewer
Choose Edit → Emoji & Symbols, search for “vulgar fraction one half” or its code 00BD, then select the character to insert it.
Expand Character Viewer if needed. Available characters depend on font support.
Apple documentationMicrosoft Excel
Formula=UNICHAR(189)
Enter =UNICHAR(189) in a cell to return ½.
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.
Source documentationGoogle Docs
Desktop pickerInsert → Special characters
On a computer, choose Insert → Special characters and search for U+00BD or vulgar fraction one half. 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.
Source documentationLinux
GNOME / GTKCtrl + Shift + U, 00BD, Enter
In a compatible GNOME/GTK text field, press Ctrl + Shift + U, release the keys, type 00BD, then press Enter.
Applies to GNOME/GTK Unicode entry, not every Linux application. Use copy and paste when the app intercepts this shortcut.
Source documentationFor iPhone and Android, you can copy the character above and paste it into an app that supports it.
Using it in HTML
Insert ½ in HTML text, or paste ½ directly in a UTF-8 document. If a box appears instead of the character, choose a font with support for U+00BD.