Sigma Symbol Copy and Paste (Σ σ ς ∑)
Capital sigma
Unicode U+03A3 · HTML Σ · Alt code Alt+228
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Σ | Capital sigma | U+03A3 | Σ | Alt+228 | - | 03A3 then Alt+X |
| σ | Small sigma | U+03C3 | σ | Alt+229 | - | 03C3 then Alt+X |
| ς | Final sigma | U+03C2 | ς | - | - | 03C2 then Alt+X |
| ∑ | Summation sign | U+2211 | ∑ | - | Option+W | 2211 then Alt+X |
The sigma symbol has two main forms: capital Σ, which means "add everything up" in maths, and small σ, which stands for standard deviation in statistics. Whichever form you need, the symbol of sigma is the 18th letter of the Greek alphabet and makes an "s" sound, like the English letter S.
This page is your sigma symbol copy paste spot: it gives you every form, explains which one to use where, and shows the exact keys for Windows, Mac, Word, Excel, LaTeX and phones. If you just need the letter, tap it in the grid above. Students looking for "sigma ka symbol" for a maths or physics assignment will find both forms here.
Four Sigma Forms and When to Use Each
There are four characters on this page. They look alike, but each has its own job:
| Symbol | Name | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| Σ | Capital sigma (Greek letter) | Greek text, and sums in normal text like Σx = 40 |
| ∑ | N-ary summation | The proper maths summation symbol, often drawn larger with limits above and below |
| σ | Small sigma | Standard deviation, stress, conductivity, sigma bonds |
| ς | Final sigma | Only at the end of a word in Greek, for example in λόγος |
In everyday school work, Σ and ∑ are used the same way and both are understood. Maths software and equation editors prefer ∑ because it is coded as an operator. The sigma symbol lowercase form σ is the one you will meet most in statistics and science.
Summation Symbol in Maths: How to Read Σ
The summation symbol tells you to add a list of numbers that follow a pattern. A full sum has three parts:
- the starting value written below Σ (for example i = 1),
- the last value written above Σ (for example n),
- the rule written on the right (for example i²).
Example: Σ i² from i = 1 to 4 means 1² + 2² + 3² + 4² = 1 + 4 + 9 + 16 = 30.
In Class 11 statistics, you will see the sigma symbol in maths formulas like mean = Σx ÷ n. If the marks of five students are 12, 15, 18, 10 and 20, then Σx = 75 and the mean is 75 ÷ 5 = 15. A related operator, ∏, multiplies terms instead of adding them; it is explained on the pi symbol page.
Standard Deviation Symbol (σ)
Small sigma σ is the symbol for standard deviation, the number that shows how spread out data is. A small σ means most values are close to the average; a large σ means they are scattered.
- σ: standard deviation of a whole population.
- s: standard deviation of a sample (many Indian textbooks still write σ for both).
- σ²: variance, the square of standard deviation.
- μ: the population mean, often written next to σ. See the mu symbol.
You may also hear "six sigma" in quality control at factories and offices. It refers to processes so consistent that defects are extremely rare, measured in units of σ.
Sigma Symbol in Physics and Chemistry
The sigma symbol in physics is almost always the small letter σ. Its meaning depends on the chapter:
| Where | σ stands for |
|---|---|
| Mechanics | Stress (force per unit area) |
| Electricity | Surface charge density, or electrical conductivity |
| Thermal physics | Stefan-Boltzmann constant in E = σT⁴ |
| Chemistry | Sigma bond, the head-on overlap of orbitals |
The sigma bond symbol is written as σ, and the side-by-side bond is the pi bond (π). A single bond is one σ bond, a double bond is one σ plus one π, and a triple bond is one σ plus two π. Students often also need the delta symbol (δ+ and δ−) for partial charges in the same chapter.
How to Type the Sigma Symbol on Keyboard, Word and Excel
Windows (Alt codes)
Turn on Num Lock and hold Alt while typing on the number keypad:
- Alt+228 gives Σ
- Alt+229 gives σ
There is no standard Alt code for ∑ or ς. More codes are on the Alt codes page.
Sigma symbol in Word
- Type 2211 and press Alt+X for ∑, or 03C3 then Alt+X for σ.
- Or open Insert > Equation, type \sum and press Space. The summation symbol in Word then gets boxes for the limits.
- Or go to Insert > Symbol > More Symbols, choose subset "Greek and Coptic" and pick Σ.
Sigma symbol in Excel
Click a cell and press Alt+228, or use Insert > Symbol. Note that Excel's AutoSum button on the Home tab already shows Σ; clicking it inserts a SUM formula, not the character. For standard deviation itself, Excel has the STDEV.S (sample) and STDEV.P (population) functions.
Mac
Press Option+W for ∑. For Σ or σ, open the Character Viewer with Control+Command+Space and search "sigma".
Summation symbol in LaTeX
Write \sum_{i=1}^{n} x_i for a sum with limits, \sigma for σ and \Sigma for Σ. Google Docs equations accept the same \sum and \sigma shortcuts.
Phone
Most Android and iPhone keyboards have no sigma key. Copy it from this page, or add a Greek keyboard in your keyboard language settings.
Sigma Male Symbol and Emoji: Slang Use
On social media, "sigma" is also slang for a quiet, independent person who does things their own way, sometimes called a "sigma male". People who search for a sigma male symbol usually just want Σ or σ for a bio or username. If you look for a sigma symbol emoji, you will not find one: there is no separate sigma emoji in the standard emoji set, so the letter itself is used. Since Σ is normal Unicode text, it pastes cleanly into WhatsApp, Instagram and games. For more stylish letters, see our cool symbols collection.
Common Mistakes with Sigma
- Writing E instead of Σ: a capital E is not the summation symbol, even if it looks close on a phone.
- Using ς in maths: the final sigma is for Greek spelling only. Standard deviation is always σ.
- Mixing σ and b: in handwriting, close the loop of σ and draw the tail to the right, not up.
- Forgetting limits: Σx without limits is fine for simple data, but series questions need the start and end values.
For the full list of Greek letters with names and uses, visit the Greek alphabet page.
Frequently asked questions
What is the symbol of standard deviation?
The symbol for standard deviation is the small Greek letter sigma, σ. For a sample, many books write s instead, and σ² is used for variance.
What is the difference between Σ and ∑?
Σ is the Greek capital letter sigma, while ∑ is a separate maths character called n-ary summation. They look almost the same. Use ∑ in equations when your software offers it, but Σ is acceptable in plain text.
How do I type the summation symbol in keyboard shortcuts?
On Windows, Alt+228 on the number keypad gives Σ. On a Mac, Option+W gives ∑. In Word, type 2211 and press Alt+X.
What is the sigma symbol lowercase?
The small sigma symbol is σ. Greek also has a final form ς, used only when sigma is the last letter of a word, but maths and science use σ.
What does σ mean in physics?
It depends on the topic. σ can mean stress, surface charge density, electrical conductivity or the Stefan-Boltzmann constant. Check the chapter and the units given.
Can I use the sigma symbol in my Instagram name?
Yes. Copy Σ or σ from the grid and paste it into your name or bio. It is a standard character, so it shows correctly on most phones.