Delta Symbol Copy and Paste (Δ δ ∆ ∇)
Capital delta
Unicode U+0394 · HTML Δ
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Δ | Capital delta | U+0394 | Δ | - | - | 0394 then Alt+X |
| δ | Small delta | U+03B4 | δ | Alt+235 | - | 03B4 then Alt+X |
| ∆ | Increment sign | U+2206 | ∆ | - | Option+J | 2206 then Alt+X |
| ∇ | Nabla (inverted delta) | U+2207 | ∇ | - | - | 2207 then Alt+X |
| ▲ | Filled triangle | U+25B2 | ▲ | Alt+30 | - | 25B2 then Alt+X |
| △ | Outline triangle | U+25B3 | △ | - | - | 25B3 then Alt+X |
The delta symbol comes in two shapes: a capital triangle Δ that usually means "change in", and a small curly δ that usually means "a tiny change" or "a partial charge". Delta is the fourth letter of the Greek alphabet, and it gave its name to river deltas like the Ganga-Brahmaputra delta, because the land at a river mouth often spreads out in a triangle.
Copy any delta form from the grid, including the look-alike increment sign ∆ and the upside-down nabla ∇. If you have been asked to write the "delta ka symbol" in an assignment, the guide below tells you exactly which shape your teacher means.
Δ as the Change Symbol
Capital Δ placed before a quantity means the final value minus the starting value. It is the most common change symbol in science:
- Δx = x₂ − x₁: change in position. If a car moves from 20 m to 75 m, Δx = 55 m.
- Δt: time taken, so average speed is Δx/Δt.
- ΔT: change in temperature. Water heated from 25 °C to 85 °C has ΔT = 60 °C (see the degree symbol).
- ΔH: enthalpy change in a reaction. A negative ΔH means heat is given out.
A simple way to remember: Δ never stands alone. It always sits in front of the thing that is changing.
Delta Symbol in Maths
The delta symbol in maths (often searched as "delta math symbol") has three everyday meanings for Indian students:
| Where | Written as | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Quadratic equations | Δ = b² − 4ac | Discriminant (many NCERT books write D) |
| Geometry | ΔABC | Triangle ABC |
| Calculus | δx, δy | A very small change |
For the discriminant: if Δ > 0 there are two real roots, if Δ = 0 there is one repeated root, and if Δ < 0 there are no real roots. Signs like > and < are covered on the greater than and less than page. In limit definitions, δ is paired with the epsilon symbol ε.
Delta Symbol in Physics and Chemistry
In the delta symbol in physics, the capital form tracks change (Δv, ΔE, Δp), while the small delta symbol δ appears in phase difference and small displacements in some textbooks.
Chemistry uses δ for partial charges. In a water molecule, oxygen pulls the shared electrons closer, so it is marked δ− and each hydrogen is marked δ+. This is how polar bonds are drawn in Class 11 chemical bonding. In the same chapter you meet σ and π bonds, explained on the sigma symbol page.
You may also see Δ written over the arrow in a chemical equation, as in CaCO₃ →(Δ) CaO + CO₂. Here it means "heat is applied".
Nabla: The Inverted Delta Symbol
∇ looks like Δ turned upside down. It is called nabla or "del" and is an operator in vector calculus. ∇f is the gradient of f, which points in the direction where f increases fastest. You will meet the nabla symbol in engineering maths and in Maxwell's equations, usually in the second year of a B.Tech or B.Sc. It has no Alt code; in Word type 2207 then Alt+X.
Δ, ∆ or △? Δ is the Greek letter. ∆ is a separate maths character called increment; it looks the same and most people use them interchangeably. △ and ▲ are plain shapes from the triangle block, handy for bullet points or diagrams but not for equations.
How to Type the Delta Symbol in Word, Excel and Keyboard
- Windows: Alt+235 on the number pad gives small δ. Capital Δ has no standard Alt code, but Alt+30 gives the filled triangle ▲ in many apps.
- Delta symbol in Word: type 0394 and press Alt+X for Δ, or 03B4 then Alt+X for δ. Inside an equation, type \Delta or \delta and press Space.
- Delta symbol in Excel: use Insert > Symbol, choose subset "Greek and Coptic", then Δ. The formula
=UNICHAR(916)also returns Δ, useful for column headings like "Δ Sales". - Mac: Option+J gives the increment sign ∆, which looks exactly like capital delta.
- Google Docs: Insert > Special characters, then type "delta".
- Phone: most keyboards have no delta key. Copy it here or add a Greek keyboard.
See the Greek letters page for every other letter.
Frequently asked questions
What is the symbol of delta?
Capital delta is Δ and small delta is δ. Δ is used for change and for triangles, while δ is used for very small changes and partial charges.
Is Δ the same as a triangle symbol?
They look alike, but Δ is a Greek letter and △ is a geometric shape character. In geometry, Indian textbooks write ΔABC using the delta letter, which is fine.
What does Δ mean in physics?
Δ means "change in". Δv is the change in velocity, ΔE is the change in energy and ΔT is the change in temperature, always final minus initial.
What is the inverted delta symbol called?
The upside-down delta ∇ is called nabla or del. It is used in vector calculus for gradient, divergence and curl.
How does delta symbol copy paste work on a phone?
Tap Δ or δ in the grid above to copy it, then long-press in any app and choose Paste. It works in WhatsApp, Google Docs and email.