Minus-plus (∓) is the mathematical minus-or-plus sign at Unicode U+2213. HTML5 provides ∓ and ∓. It is the counterpart to plus-minus ± (±).
Remember
Character ∓
Unicode U+2213
Named entity ∓ (also ∓)
Hex entity ∓
Decimal ∓
CSS escape \2213
Named, hex, decimal, CSS, and a typed character all produce the same glyph: ∓.
Using Named Entity: ∓
Using Hex Code: ∓
Using HTML Code: ∓
Using CSS Entity: ∓
Example: x = 5 ∓ 2
How It Works
1. Named:∓ (or ∓) is the clearest HTML form and renders ∓.
2. Hex:U+2213 → ∓ in HTML. Same result as the named entity.
3. Decimal: same code point as 8723 → ∓. Same result as hex and named.
4. CSS: use \2213 in content (not an HTML entity). #point::after appends that ∓ after the paragraph text.
Pitfalls & Tips
Common mistakes when working with minus-plus.
Prefer
Use ∓ or ∓
Either named form is clearer than numeric references and is defined in HTML5.
vs ±
Not plus-minus
± is ±. ∓ is ∓. They are paired, not interchangeable.
Meaning
Opposite of ±
If one term uses + first then −, the paired term often uses − first then +.
CSS vs HTML
Do not mix escapes
\2213 belongs in CSS. ∓ / ∓ / ∓ belong in HTML.
Encoding
Declare UTF-8
If you type ∓ directly, keep <meta charset="UTF-8"> so the file is not misread.
Semicolon
End references
Always finish with ; — write ∓, not &mnplus.
Compatibility
Browser Support
Minus-plus (U+2213) and its entity forms (∓, ∓, ∓, ∓, CSS \\2213) are supported in all mainstream browsers with a Unicode-capable font.
✓ Universal support
Minus Plus (∓)
Encode with named, hex, decimal, or CSS escape — or type ∓ directly in UTF-8 HTML.
100%Browser coverage
Google ChromeSupported
Yes
Microsoft EdgeSupported
Yes
Mozilla FirefoxSupported
Yes
Apple SafariSupported
Yes
OperaSupported
Yes
Internet ExplorerIE 9+
Yes*
U+2213 / ∓Full support
Bottom line: Prefer ∓ or ∓ in mathematical HTML. Use \\2213 only inside CSS content.
Use ∓ or ∓ (named), ∓ (hex), ∓ (decimal), or the CSS escape \2213 in the content property. All render ∓. Prefer ∓ or ∓ in mathematical HTML.
U+2213 (MINUS-OR-PLUS SIGN). Hex 2213, decimal 8723. It belongs to the Mathematical Operators block.
Yes. HTML5 defines ∓ and ∓ for ∓.
Use it in math when a paired quantity takes the opposite sign of a plus-minus term — for example a = b ± c and d = e ∓ f.
HTML entities (∓, ∓, or ∓) go in markup. The CSS escape \2213 is used in stylesheets (usually in the content property of ::before/::after). Both render ∓.
No. Plus-minus is ± (±, U+00B1). Minus-plus is ∓ (∓, U+2213). They are paired opposite signs.
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Did you know?
Minus-plus is Unicode U+2213 (decimal 8723) — MINUS-OR-PLUS SIGN in Mathematical Operators. HTML5 provides ∓ and ∓. It is the counterpart to plus-minus ± (±): when one quantity is ±, the paired quantity is often ∓.
