Beta Symbol Copy and Paste (β Β ϐ)
Small beta
Unicode U+03B2 · HTML β
Tap any symbol to copy it. Each tap also adds it to the box above, so you can copy several together.
Codes for every symbol on this page (Unicode, HTML, Alt, Mac, Word)
| Symbol | Name | Unicode | HTML | Windows Alt code | Mac | MS Word |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| β | Small beta | U+03B2 | β | - | - | 03B2 then Alt+X |
| Β | Capital beta | U+0392 | Β | - | - | 0392 then Alt+X |
| ϐ | Curled beta variant | U+03D0 | ϐ | - | - | 03D0 then Alt+X |
| ß | German sharp s (not beta) | U+00DF | ß | Alt+225, Alt+0223 | Option+S | 00DF then Alt+X |
The beta symbol β is the second letter of the Greek alphabet, and you will find it in nuclear physics, statistics, chemistry and even in app stores, where "beta" marks a test version. Its tall shape with two bumps on the right is easy to spot, but it is also easy to confuse with the German letter ß.
For a quick beta symbol copy, tap β in the grid. Below, we cover what β means in each subject and the typing methods that actually give you the Greek letter, since β has no Alt code of its own.
Beta Particle Symbol in Physics
Beta decay happens when a neutron inside a nucleus turns into a proton and shoots out a fast electron. That electron is the beta particle, written in one of these ways:
| Form | Meaning |
|---|---|
| β or β⁻ | Beta minus particle (an electron) |
| ⁰₋₁e | Same particle in nuclear equation form |
| β⁺ | Beta plus particle (a positron) |
In β⁻ decay the mass number stays the same and the atomic number goes up by 1. Example: carbon-14 decays to nitrogen-14 by giving out a β⁻ particle. Beta particles pass through paper but are stopped by a few millimetres of aluminium. Compare with the alpha symbol (helium nucleus) and gamma symbol (high-energy light).
β in Statistics, Chemistry and Everyday Use
- Statistics: β is the probability of a Type II error (missing a real effect), and 1 − β is the "power" of a test. In regression, β₀ and β₁ are the intercept and slope.
- Stock market: a share's beta compares how much its price moves against the overall market. A beta above 1 means bigger swings than the index. This is general information only, not investment advice.
- Chemistry and biology: names like β-carotene (the orange pigment in carrots) and β-glucose use the letter to label a molecule's form.
- Software: a "beta version" of an app is nearly finished and shared with users for testing.
- Maths: α and β are the usual names for the two roots of a quadratic equation.
β or ß? Do Not Mix Them Up
The German letter ß (called eszett or sharp s) looks a lot like β, and it is the character many people get by accident. It is a different letter with a different meaning: in German, "Straße" means street.
- Alt+225 and Alt+0223 on Windows give ß, not β.
- Option+S on a Mac also gives ß.
- In a printed report the difference is small, but search engines, spell-checkers and screen readers treat them as unrelated characters.
Use the real Greek β for science. The third form in the grid, ϐ, is a curled variant of small beta seen in some older printed books; you will rarely need it.
How to Type the Beta Symbol in Word and Keyboard
Beta symbol in Word
- Type
03B2where you want the letter. - Press Alt+X. The code turns into β.
- For capital Β, type
0392and press Alt+X.
In Word's equation box (Insert > Equation), \beta followed by Space also works. Another way is Insert > Symbol > More Symbols, subset "Greek and Coptic".
Beta symbol in keyboard shortcuts elsewhere
- Windows: no standard Alt code exists for β. Press Windows+. to open the emoji panel, and check its symbols tab, or simply copy β from this page.
- Mac: open the Character Viewer with Control+Command+Space and search "beta".
- Google Docs: Insert > Special characters, type "beta".
- Excel:
=UNICHAR(946)or Insert > Symbol. - Phone: add a Greek keyboard, or copy β here.
See all Greek letters on the Greek letters page and other science signs on the physics symbols page.
Frequently asked questions
What is the symbol of beta?
The small beta symbol is β and the capital is Β. The capital looks just like English B, so science books almost always use the small form.
What is the beta particle symbol?
A beta particle is written β or β⁻, or as ⁰₋₁e in nuclear equations. A positron emitted in beta plus decay is written β⁺.
Why does Alt+225 give ß instead of β?
The old DOS character table put the German sharp s at position 225, and it was often used as a stand-in for beta. It is a different Unicode character, so for correct Greek text use 03B2 then Alt+X in Word or copy β from this page.
Does capital beta look like B?
Yes. Capital Β is drawn the same as English B, but it is a separate character. Avoid it in usernames or links, where it can look like a spelling trick.
What does beta mean in an app or game?
A beta is a test version shared before the final release. It may have bugs, and feedback from beta users helps fix them.