To add the infinity symbol (∞) in Microsoft Word, you can choose it from the symbol menu, enter it in an equation, or copy and paste it into your document. The best method depends on whether you need a regular text character or a symbol within a mathematical expression. The steps below cover desktop Word and practical alternatives for Word on the web.
What You’ll Need
- A document open in Microsoft Word. The symbol menu is easiest to use in the desktop app; menu names and available features can differ between Word versions.
- A font that contains the infinity character. Common choices include Cambria Math and Segoe UI Symbol. Word usually selects a suitable font automatically.
- If you are using Word on the web or cannot find the symbol menu, access to the symbol here: ∞. You can copy it directly from this guide.
Step-by-Step
- Choose where the symbol should go. Open your document and click at the exact point where you want the infinity symbol. In ordinary writing, place the insertion point in the sentence, just as you would before typing a letter. If you want the symbol in a heading, table cell, caption, or footnote, click inside that area first. This helps prevent Word from putting it in the wrong part of the document.
- Open Word’s symbol picker. In the desktop app, select the Insert tab. Look for Symbol, usually toward the right side of the ribbon, and choose More Symbols if that option appears. Some releases or window layouts show a slightly different menu, so expand the ribbon or look for the symbol command in the Insert area if you do not see it straight away. On a Mac, use the symbol command on the Insert tab or menu; its label can vary by version.
- Find the infinity character. In the Symbol dialog, start with the font set to (normal text) so Word can choose a character suitable for the surrounding text. If the dialog offers a subset list, select Mathematical Operators. Find the sideways figure-eight character, ∞, in the character grid. If you have trouble locating it, try a math-friendly font such as Cambria Math, then scan the grid again. The grid may move when you change the font or subset.
- Insert it and close the dialog. Select ∞, click Insert, and then choose Close or dismiss the dialog. The symbol should appear at the insertion point in your document. If you need it in another place, click there and repeat the process. In many desktop versions, Word also puts recently used symbols near the top of the Symbol menu, which can make a repeat insertion quicker.
- Use an equation when the symbol belongs in math. Click where the expression should appear, open Insert, and choose Equation. Inside the equation area, type
\inftyand press the space bar. Word’s equation editor should convert the command into ∞. If it remains plain text, check the equation input or conversion options and try the equation’s professional display mode. This method is useful for limits, sets, and expressions where the symbol should align with other math characters. - Copy and paste when you need a quick text character. Copy ∞ from this guide, click in your document, and paste. This is often the simplest option in Word on the web or when you cannot find the symbol picker. After pasting, check that the character appears in the expected position and matches the surrounding text. Pasting the character itself is different from pasting a picture: the character remains selectable as text in the document.
- Set its size and appearance. Select the inserted symbol as you would select a letter, then use Word’s font and font-size controls. For ordinary prose, matching the surrounding type is usually the cleanest choice. In an equation, use the equation editor’s formatting rather than changing the symbol as if it were a separate word. If the symbol looks too heavy or narrow, try a different compatible font and compare it with nearby text.
- Check the document where it will be read. Save your work, then view the symbol in the page, print layout, or a PDF preview. If you plan to share the file, reopen it on the intended device or ask the recipient to check it. A font substitution can change the symbol’s appearance, and a symbol that looks correct in the editing window may not look identical in every font or application.
Common Mistakes
Choosing a similar-looking character. The infinity symbol resembles a sideways loop, but other decorative marks and mathematical symbols can look similar at a small size. Confirm that the character is ∞ rather than a different loop or ornamental glyph. If it came from a symbol grid, enlarge the dialog or use a math font to make the choice easier to inspect.
Typing the command in normal text. The equation command \infty is intended for the equation editor. In a regular paragraph, Word may leave it as a backslash followed by letters instead of converting it. Insert an equation first, or use the Symbol dialog or copy-and-paste method for normal text.
Changing the whole paragraph’s formatting by accident. If you select too much text before choosing a font or size, Word applies the change to all of it. Select only the symbol when adjusting it as text. For an equation, click inside the equation and use its tools so the surrounding paragraph remains unchanged.
Assuming every font displays every character the same way. A font may not contain the character, or Word may substitute another font for it. The result can look different from nearby letters, especially after opening the file on another computer. Use a compatible font and check the saved document rather than relying only on how it looked while editing.
Tips
For a symbol in a sentence such as “The possibilities are ∞,” the Symbol dialog or copy and paste keeps the character in ordinary text. For a mathematical expression such as a limit that tends to infinity, use an equation so Word handles the symbol’s placement and spacing alongside the other notation. Choosing the right format at the start can save you from fixing alignment later.
If you use ∞ repeatedly, insert it once and then reuse it by copying and pasting within the document. In the desktop app, also check the recent-symbol area in the Symbol menu. If you frequently need a special character, Word’s AutoCorrect options can be configured to replace a chosen text shortcut with a symbol; pick a shortcut you do not normally type, and test it in a spare line before using it in important text.
Keep the symbol consistent throughout the document. Use the same font and approximate size for repeated instances, unless an equation’s formatting calls for a different appearance. When preparing a document for other people, save it in a format that preserves the text and review the final PDF or print preview. A clear preview is particularly useful for checking symbol spacing in headings, tables, and compact formulas.
For accessibility, do not rely on the symbol alone to explain an important idea. Add words that make the meaning clear in the surrounding sentence, especially in instructions, labels, or a document intended to be read with assistive technology. The exact spoken description can depend on the reading software, so plain-language context helps readers understand how the character is being used.
Troubleshooting
The Symbol command is missing. Make sure you are using the desktop app and that the Insert ribbon is expanded. A narrow window can hide ribbon commands. If you are in Word on the web, use copy and paste as a fallback, or open the document in the desktop app to use its fuller symbol tools. You can also create an equation in the desktop app if you need the character as mathematical notation.
The symbol appears as a box or blank space. The selected font may not include a usable infinity glyph, or the application displaying the file may be substituting a font. Select the character and try Cambria Math or Segoe UI Symbol. If it still fails, insert it again through the Symbol dialog with a different font, save the file, and check it in another view or on the device where it will be used.
The equation command does not convert. First confirm that the cursor is inside an equation box rather than a normal paragraph. Type the command there and press the space bar. If Word still shows the command literally, look for the equation’s input-format or conversion setting and use a supported equation input mode. You can always insert the character through the Symbol dialog and place it in the expression, although spacing may need a small adjustment.
The symbol is too small, too large, or misaligned. In normal text, select only ∞ and adjust its font size or font. In an equation, select the expression and check the equation style rather than applying paragraph formatting. If the character appears lower or higher than expected, try a math font and inspect it beside the neighboring symbols. Avoid adding spaces to force alignment; spaces can shift when the document is edited or displayed elsewhere.
The character changes after sharing. Confirm that the file was saved and reopened, then inspect it in Word or a PDF preview. If the recipient’s software uses a different font, the glyph may have a different shape. Use a widely available compatible font or share a PDF when preserving the page’s appearance matters. Keep an editable Word copy if others need to revise the text.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I insert the infinity symbol without opening the Symbol menu?
Yes. Copy and paste ∞ into the document, or create an equation and enter \infty followed by a space. Use the equation method when the character is part of a formula.
Is the infinity symbol text or an image?
When inserted from the Symbol dialog, entered in an equation, or copied as the character, it is text, not a picture. You can select it, change its font, and search for it like other characters. A screenshot of the symbol would instead be an image.
Does this work in Word on the web?
Copying and pasting the character is a straightforward option in Word on the web. The available symbol and equation commands can differ from the desktop app, so use the desktop version if you need its full symbol picker or cannot access the feature you want.
Should I use the equation editor or the regular symbol?
Use the regular character in prose, labels, or a heading. Use the equation editor when ∞ is part of mathematical notation and should align with other equation elements. Both approaches can display the same character, but the equation editor handles mathematical spacing more naturally.
Can I change the infinity symbol’s color or size?
Yes. In normal text, select the character and apply Word’s font color, font, or size controls. In an equation, use the equation formatting tools where possible. Check the result at its final size, since a decorative color or font can make a small symbol harder to read.