HTML Entity for Minus Plus (∓)
What You'll Learn
How to display the minus plus sign (∓) in HTML using hexadecimal, decimal, named entity, and CSS escape methods. This character is U+2213 (MINUS OR PLUS SIGN) in the Mathematical Operators block (U+2200–U+22FF)—used when a quantity may be negative or positive, often paired with the plus-minus sign ± (U+00B1).
Render it with ∓, ∓, ∓, or CSS escape \2213. Do not confuse ∓ with plus-minus ± (±, U+00B1) or the minus sign − (U+2212)—each is a distinct operator.
⚡ Quick Reference — Minus Plus
U+2213Mathematical Operators
∓Hexadecimal reference
∓Decimal reference
∓Most readable option
Name Value
──────────── ──────────
Unicode U+2213
Hex code ∓
HTML code ∓
Named entity ∓
CSS code \2213
Meaning Minus or plus sign
Related U+00B1 = plus-minus (±, ±)
U+2212 = minus sign (−)Complete HTML Example
This example demonstrates the minus plus sign (∓) using hexadecimal code, decimal HTML code, the named entity, and a CSS content escape:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<style>
#point::after{
content: "\2213";
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<p>Minus Plus using Hexadecimal: ∓</p>
<p>Minus Plus using HTML Code: ∓</p>
<p>Minus Plus using Named Entity: ∓</p>
<p id="point">Minus Plus using CSS Entity: </p>
<p>Example: x = 5 ∓ 2</p>
</body>
</html>🌐 Browser Support
The minus plus sign is widely supported in modern browsers:
👀 Live Preview
See the minus plus sign (∓) in mathematical contexts:
🧠 How It Works
Hexadecimal Code
∓ uses the Unicode hexadecimal value 2213 to display the minus plus sign. The x prefix indicates hexadecimal format.
Decimal HTML Code
∓ uses the decimal Unicode value 8723 to display the same character.
CSS Entity
\2213 is used in CSS stylesheets, particularly in the content property of pseudo-elements like ::before and ::after.
Named Entity
∓ is the standard named HTML entity for the minus or plus sign—easy to read and remember in source markup.
Same visual result
All four methods produce ∓ (∓). Unicode U+2213 is in Mathematical Operators. Prefer ∓ for readable HTML source.
Use Cases
The minus plus sign (∓) is commonly used in:
Expressions where a value may be negative or positive.
Particle charge notation and symmetric uncertainty ranges.
Tolerance specs paired with plus-minus notation.
Online math courses, quizzes, and formula references.
Scientific papers, APIs, and engineering documentation.
HTML entity tutorials and Unicode symbol documentation.
💡 Best Practices
Do
- Use
∓for minus-or-plus in mathematical notation - Distinguish ∓ from plus-minus ± (
±) - Pair conceptually with ± when showing both sign conventions
- Serve pages with UTF-8 (
<meta charset="utf-8">) - Consider MathML for complex formulas
Don’t
- Confuse ∓ (minus-plus) with ± (plus-minus)
- Use ∓ when you mean subtraction minus −
- Put CSS escape
\2213in HTML text nodes - Use HTML entities in JS (use
\u2213) - Use padded Unicode notation like U+02213—the correct value is
U+2213
Key Takeaways
Four HTML/CSS references all render ∓
∓ ∓ ∓For CSS stylesheets, use \2213 in the content property
Unicode U+2213 — MINUS OR PLUS SIGN
Prefer ∓ for readability in HTML source
Not the same as plus-minus ± (U+00B1, ±)
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
∓ (hex), ∓ (decimal), ∓ (named), or \2213 in CSS content. All produce ∓.U+2213 (MINUS OR PLUS SIGN). Mathematical Operators block (U+2200–U+22FF). Hex 2213, decimal 8723. Named HTML entity: ∓.∓). ± is U+00B1 (PLUS-MINUS, ±). They are different characters with opposite sign order.∓, ∓, or ∓) go directly in markup. The CSS escape \2213 is used in stylesheets, typically in the content property of pseudo-elements. Same visual result, different layers of the stack.Explore More HTML Entities!
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