Multiplication Symbol Copy and Paste (×)
Multiplication sign
Unicode U+00D7 · HTML × · Alt code Alt+0215
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, emoji version)
| Symbol | Name | Unicode | HTML | Emoji version | Windows Alt code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| × | Multiplication sign | U+00D7 | × | - | Alt+0215 |
| ⋅ | Dot for multiply | U+22C5 | ⋅ | - | - |
| ∗ | Asterisk operator | U+2217 | ∗ | - | - |
| ✕ | Thin cross | U+2715 | ✕ | - | - |
| ✖ | Heavy cross | U+2716 | ✖ | 1.0 | - |
| * | Asterisk (Excel, code) | U+002A | * | - | Alt+42 |
| x | Letter x (not multiply) | U+0078 | x | - | Alt+120 |
The multiplication symbol is ×, a small slanted cross that means "times". In 6 × 4 = 24 it tells you to add 6 four times. In India, many students read it as "into", so 6 × 4 is "six into four", and the sign is often called the into symbol or the multiply symbol.
Tap the box above for an easy into symbol copy, or pick the dot ⋅, the asterisk * or a bold ✖ from the grid. Below you will find how to type × on a laptop and phone, why spreadsheets use * instead, and the difference between × and the letter x. It is one of the four basic operation signs on our maths symbols hub.
Names and Meaning of the Times Symbol
The symbol of multiplication goes by several names. All of these refer to ×:
- times symbol: "7 times 8"
- into symbol or into mark symbol: "7 into 8", common in Indian classrooms and shops
- multiply symbol or "multiple symbol" (strictly, a multiple is the answer, like 56, not the sign)
- In Hindi: "guna" (गुणा), as in "saat guna aath"
Outside maths, the same sign shows sizes and zoom levels: a 10 × 12 ft room, a 1920 × 1080 screen, or a 10× zoom lens.
Multiply Symbol on Keyboard
Most keyboards have no × key, so use one of these:
| Where | How |
|---|---|
| Windows | Num Lock on, hold Alt, type 0215 on the number pad |
| Microsoft Word | Type 00D7, press Alt+X; or in an equation type \times and a space |
| Mac | No Option key shortcut; press Control+Command+Space to open Character Viewer and search "multiplication" |
| Google Docs | Insert > Special characters, search "multiplication" |
| Android | On many Android keyboards, including Gboard, tap ?123 then =\<; × is on that page |
| iPhone | Not on the standard keyboard; copy it from this page |
| HTML | × |
On a laptop without a number pad, Alt codes will not work. The Word method, Character Viewer, or copying from here are the easiest ways to type the multiplication symbol in keyboard-only situations.
Which Symbol Is Used to Multiply in Excel?
In a spreadsheet formula, the symbol used to multiply is the asterisk *, not ×. You type it with Shift+8 or the * key on the number pad.
=B2*C2multiplies quantity by price.=B2*18%works out 18% GST on the amount in B2.=PRODUCT(A2:A6)multiplies every number in a range.
If you type × in a formula, Excel and Google Sheets show an error. The same rule applies in calculators on phones and in almost every programming language. The multiply symbol in Excel is only for display, for example in a label like "Size: 4 × 6".
× vs x vs ⋅ vs *
| Symbol | What it is | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| × | Multiplication sign | Arithmetic in notebooks and printed work: 9 × 3 |
| x | Letter x | A variable in algebra. Avoid using it to mean times, or 2x3 becomes confusing |
| ⋅ | Dot operator | Algebra and physics: 3⋅a, or the dot product of vectors |
| * | Asterisk | Excel, Google Sheets, calculators and code |
| ✕ ✖ | Decorative crosses | Close buttons and wrong marks; see the cross symbol page |
Once algebra begins, teachers often drop the sign completely: 3 × a is written 3a, and a × b is written ab. When two numbers sit next to each other, use × or brackets: 3(4) means 3 × 4 = 12.
Worked Examples
- Tables: 7 × 8 = 56 and 8 × 7 = 56. The order does not change the answer.
- Three numbers: 2 × 5 × 9 = 10 × 9 = 90. Pairing 2 and 5 first makes it quicker.
- Order of operations: 4 + 3 × 5 = 4 + 15 = 19, not 35. Multiply before you add.
- Area: a plot 30 m × 20 m has an area of 600 m².
- Shopping: 12 pens × ₹15 = ₹180.
Division is the reverse of multiplication: if 6 × 4 = 24, then 24 ÷ 4 = 6. See the divide symbol page for ÷, and the plus minus symbol page for + and −.
Frequently asked questions
In a spreadsheet formula which symbol is used to multiply?
The asterisk * is used to multiply in Excel and Google Sheets, for example =A1*B1. The × sign does not work inside formulas.
How do I type the multiply symbol in keyboard shortcuts?
On Windows, hold Alt and type 0215 on the number pad. In Word, type 00D7 and press Alt+X. On a Mac, use Character Viewer with Control+Command+Space.
Why is × called the into symbol in India?
Many Indian teachers and shopkeepers read 5 × 3 as "5 into 3", so the sign picked up the name "into". It means exactly the same as "times".
Is the multiplication sign the same as the letter x?
No. × is a separate character with its own code (U+00D7), while x is a letter. In algebra, using the letter x for multiplication can be confused with the variable x.
How do I insert the multiply symbol in Word?
Type 00D7 and then press Alt+X, or go to Insert > Symbol and choose ×. In the equation editor, type \times followed by a space.