Micro Symbol Copy and Paste (µ, µm, µg)
Micro sign
Unicode U+00B5 · HTML µ · Alt code Alt+230 or Alt+0181 · Mac Option+M
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| µ | Micro sign | U+00B5 | µ | Alt+230, Alt+0181 | Option+M | 00B5 then Alt+X |
| μ | Greek mu | U+03BC | μ | - | - | 03BC then Alt+X |
| µm | Micrometre (micron) | U+00B5 U+006D | µm | - | - | - |
| µg | Microgram | U+00B5 U+0067 | µg | - | - | - |
| µs | Microsecond | U+00B5 U+0073 | µs | - | - | - |
| µF | Microfarad | U+00B5 U+0046 | µF | - | - | - |
The micro symbol µ is a unit prefix that means one millionth (10⁻⁶). Put it in front of a unit and you get a tiny version of it: µm (micrometre), µg (microgram), µL (microlitre), µF (microfarad) and µs (microsecond).
Tap µ or one of the ready-made units in the grid to copy it. Below you will find the Alt code, the Mac shortcut, a table of common micro units, and a note on why medicine labels often write "mcg" instead of µg.
Micro Symbol Shortcut Keys (Windows, Mac, Word)
The micro sign is one of the few science symbols with a real keyboard shortcut. These are the quickest ways:
| Where | How to type µ |
|---|---|
| Windows (any app) | Alt+0181 or Alt+230 on the number pad |
| Mac | Option+M |
| Micro symbol in Word | Type 00B5, then Alt+X |
| Google Docs | Insert > Special characters, search "micro" |
| HTML | µ |
Alt codes need the numeric keypad with Num Lock on. On a laptop without a keypad, the Word code or copying from this page is easier. Alt+0181 comes from the Windows-1252 table and Alt+230 from the old DOS table, so if one gives a strange character in some app, try the other.
On a phone: some Android keyboards list µ among their extra symbols, but many do not. On iPhone, you can set up a shortcut in Settings > General > Keyboard > Text Replacement, for example "umm" to become "µm".
Micron Symbol and Other Micro Units
The micron symbol is µm. "Micron" is the old, popular name for the micrometre, and both mean the same length: 1 µm = 0.001 mm = 1000 nm. Whether you spell it micrometre, micrometer or micro meter, the symbol is the same. The micron unit symbol also does not change for plurals: 1 µm, 20 µm. Never add an s, because the microns symbol is still just µm. In India you see it on water purifiers ("5 micron sediment filter"), on air filters and in biology practicals.
| Unit | Symbol | Equals | Where you see it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Micrometre / micron | µm | 0.001 mm | Filters, cell sizes, paint thickness |
| Microgram | µg | 0.001 mg | Vitamins, lab reports |
| Microlitre | µL | 0.001 mL | Lab pipettes, blood samples |
| Microsecond | µs | 0.000001 s | Electronics, computing |
| Microfarad | µF | 10⁻⁶ F | Capacitors in fans, motors, circuits |
| Microampere | µA | 10⁻⁶ A | Sensors, low-power circuits |
| Microsiemens | µS | 10⁻⁶ S | Water conductivity (µS/cm) |
| Micromolar | µM | 10⁻⁶ mol/L | Chemistry, biology |
| Micro ohm | µΩ | 10⁻⁶ Ω | Very low resistance testing |
So the micrometer symbol, the microlitre symbol (or microliter symbol, in US spelling) and the microfarad symbol are all built the same way: µ followed by the base unit. The ohm sign for µΩ is on the ohm symbol page.
Micron Symbol in Excel
Three easy ways to get µm into a spreadsheet:
- Click a cell, hold Alt and type 0181 on the number pad, then type "m".
- Use a formula:
=A2&" "&UNICHAR(181)&"m"joins the number in A2 with " µm". - Keep numbers as numbers: select the cells, open Format Cells > Custom, and enter
0.0 "µm"(paste µ from this page). The unit shows on screen, but you can still add and average the values.
The third method is best for lab data, because formulas keep working.
Microgram Symbol and Medicine Labels
The microgram symbol is µg. In handwriting, µg can be misread as mg, which is 1000 times larger. For this reason, many prescriptions and medicine packs write mcg instead of µg. Both mean microgram. If a label or prescription is unclear, ask the pharmacist or doctor; this page is general information only.
Micro Sign µ vs Greek Letter μ
The grid shows two near-identical characters. The micro sign µ (U+00B5) is the one this page is about and the one keyboard shortcuts give. The Greek small letter mu μ (U+03BC) is the letter used for friction, mean and permeability; see the mu symbol page. Most readers cannot tell them apart, but search tools and some software treat them as different, so stick to one in a document. For other prefixes and unit symbols, browse our physics symbols and Greek letters pages.
Microwave Safe Symbol Is Not µ
Many people search "micro symbol" when they mean the microwave safe symbol on plastic boxes. That mark is a small picture, usually wavy lines, sometimes drawn with a dish or a microwave oven. It is not the letter µ and has no standard text character. Designs differ between makers, so always check the words on the label too.
Frequently asked questions
What is the symbol of micro?
The symbol of micro is µ. It means one millionth, so 1 µm is one millionth of a metre and 1 µg is one millionth of a gram.
What is the micron symbol shortcut key?
On Windows press Alt+0181 (or Alt+230) on the number pad, then type m to get µm. On a Mac press Option+M, then m.
What is the symbol of micron?
The symbol of micron is µm, the same as for micrometre. Write a space between the number and the unit, as in 5 µm.
Is a micron the same as a micrometer?
Yes. Micron is the older name and micrometre (micrometer in US spelling) is the official SI name. Both are written µm and equal 0.001 mm.
What is micron ka symbol?
Micron ka symbol µm hai. µ means micro and m means metre, so together they mean one millionth of a metre.
Can I write u instead of µ?
When µ is not available, people sometimes write "um" or "uF", and you will see "uF" printed on many capacitors. It is understood in electronics, but in reports and exams the proper µ looks better and avoids confusion.