To type a multiplication symbol in Microsoft Word, use the proper times sign, ×, rather than a lowercase letter x or an asterisk. The distinction matters in schoolwork, worksheets, recipes, and other documents where readers need to recognize a mathematical operation at a glance. You can insert the sign from Word’s symbol menu, convert its Unicode code in the desktop app, or copy it from this page. The exact menu and keyboard options vary by device, so start with the method that fits your version of Word.
What You’ll Need
- A document open in Microsoft Word, either the desktop app or Word for the web.
- A keyboard or another way to copy and paste the symbol: ×.
- For the Unicode shortcut, the desktop version of Word. The symbol’s Unicode code is 00D7.
You do not need to install a special font for ordinary documents. Most standard fonts include the multiplication sign. If you are using a specialist font or a restricted work or school computer, the menus or available fonts may differ.
Step-by-Step
- Choose where the sign should go. Open your document and click in the sentence, equation, table cell, or text box where you want the symbol. If you are replacing a typed x, select only that character first. This helps avoid deleting neighboring text or changing the wrong part of an equation.
- Use Word’s Symbol menu on a desktop computer. Open the Insert tab, then choose Symbol. Depending on the Word version and window size, the command may appear directly on the ribbon or inside a group of related commands. If the multiplication sign appears in the menu of recently used symbols, select it. Otherwise, open the full symbol dialog.
- Find the multiplication sign in the full dialog. In the Symbol dialog, look through the available symbols for ×. The list can be long, so use the character code field if your dialog provides one. Choose Unicode (hex) as the character set if there is a choice, enter 00D7 in the character code field, and confirm that the displayed character is ×. Select Insert, then close the dialog when you are done. The sign should appear at the insertion point.
- Use the Unicode conversion shortcut in Word for Windows. Click where the sign belongs and type 00D7. Without adding a space, press Alt+X. Word should convert those code characters into ×. If the code is part of a longer string and Word converts the wrong characters, select just 00D7 first and press Alt+X again. This conversion is a feature of desktop Word, not a general shortcut that works in every text field.
- Insert it on a Mac with the symbol menu. In Word for Mac, place the cursor and open Insert, then choose Symbol or Advanced Symbol, depending on the version. Find × in the character list, select it, and choose Insert. The exact wording and arrangement can change between releases, so use the character list rather than relying on a keyboard combination that may be different for your keyboard layout.
- In Word for the web, use the available insert command or paste the sign. If your version shows a Symbol command on the Insert tab, open it and select ×. If you cannot find that command, copy this character: ×. Return to your document, click at the correct location, and paste. Pasting the character is a practical option when the web interface or device does not offer a convenient symbol picker.
- Check the result in context. Read the surrounding expression to confirm the sign is between the intended values, such as 6 × 4. Check that the font and size match the nearby text. If the document contains many equations, look at the expression in its final layout as well as while editing it; spacing and alignment can appear different in a narrow table or text box.
For a displayed equation rather than an ordinary sentence, Word’s equation feature may be more suitable. Choose Insert and then Equation, or use the equation command available in your version. Enter the expression using the symbols shown in the equation tools. Equations can format operators and surrounding terms more consistently than plain text, especially when the expression contains fractions, powers, or several operations. For a simple inline calculation, inserting × as a regular character is usually sufficient.
Common Mistakes
Typing a lowercase x instead of ×: They may look similar at small sizes, but they are different characters. In a calculation, use × when you mean the multiplication operator. A lowercase x is appropriate when it represents a variable, as in an algebraic expression, so choose according to meaning rather than appearance alone.
Using an asterisk automatically: The asterisk (*) is commonly used for multiplication in programming, plain-text notes, and some calculators. It is not the same character as the printed multiplication sign. Use × in a document intended for readers unless a particular format, teacher, or style guide asks for an asterisk.
Entering the wrong code or pressing the shortcut in the wrong place: Word’s Alt+X conversion requires the Unicode code, not the letters of the symbol’s name. Type 00D7 immediately before pressing the shortcut. A different code, an intervening space, or selecting extra characters can prevent the expected conversion.
Assuming every Word version has identical menus: Desktop Word, Word for Mac, and Word for the web can show different commands. If a menu item is missing, try the symbol dialog in the desktop app or copy and paste the sign. Do not conclude that the character is unavailable just because it is not visible in a small ribbon menu.
Confusing insertion with formatting: The correct character can still look out of place if it inherits a different font, size, or text style. Check the appearance after insertion rather than repeatedly inserting symbols to solve a formatting issue.
Tips
Keep a clean copy of × somewhere convenient if you use it frequently. You can copy it from an existing document or from this guide and paste it wherever needed. In desktop Word, a symbol you have inserted may also appear among recently used symbols, which can make later insertions quicker.
Use Word’s AutoCorrect options if you regularly type the sign and want a personal shortcut. Open Word’s AutoCorrect settings and create a replacement that you are unlikely to type by accident, then set the replacement text to ×. Menu paths differ by platform and version. Choose a distinctive trigger rather than a common pair of letters, and test it in a spare line before relying on it in a final document. This is a personal convenience, not a built-in multiplication rule that will necessarily carry over to another computer.
For a document that will be shared, prefer inserting the real × character instead of relying on a font-specific symbol or a picture. A text character is easier to edit, search, copy, and resize with the surrounding text. If another person needs to edit the file, use a common font and check the document after reopening it on the intended device.
Pay attention to spacing. In a plain-text calculation, a space on each side of the operator can make the expression easier to scan, as in 6 × 4. In a typeset equation, Word’s equation formatting may handle spacing for you. Follow the conventions of the document rather than adding spaces mechanically to every expression.
Finally, decide whether you need a multiplication sign or a letter variable before inserting anything. In “the area is x times y,” x and y may be variables, while the operation between two known values should use ×. Correct character choice improves clarity without changing the underlying calculation.
Troubleshooting
Alt+X leaves 00D7 on the page: Confirm you are using desktop Word and that the cursor is immediately after the code. Select the code characters and try the shortcut again. If it still does not convert, use Insert > Symbol or paste × instead. The shortcut may not be supported in another app, a browser text field, or a particular editing mode.
The symbol dialog does not show ×: Open the full dialog rather than relying on the compact recent-symbol menu. If there is a character code box, use the Unicode hex option and enter 00D7. If the dialog in your version has no code field, browse the character list or use copy and paste. You can also try the desktop app if the web version’s insert options are limited.
A blank box or unexpected character appears: The selected font may not contain the glyph, or the text may have inherited a special font. Select the symbol and change it to a common font available on your device. If it still displays incorrectly, insert it again using the symbol dialog and check the result in another standard font.
The sign appears too large, too small, or raised: Select just the symbol and compare its font, size, and text effects with the neighboring characters. Remove unintended superscript or subscript formatting, or use the format painter or nearby text formatting to match it. Avoid changing the whole paragraph if only the symbol is wrong.
The symbol disappears after pasting or sharing: Paste it again as plain text if Word offers that choice, then apply the document’s normal font. Save, close, and reopen the file to check that the character remains. If the recipient’s software still cannot display it, send an accessible version of the document or use a clearly labeled equation format appropriate to the recipient’s software.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the multiplication symbol in Word?
The standard multiplication sign is ×. It is distinct from the lowercase letter x and from the asterisk (*), though those characters may be used for multiplication in other contexts.
What is the quickest way to type × in Word?
For a one-off insertion, copying and pasting × is simple. In desktop Word for Windows, typing 00D7 and pressing Alt+X is another quick method. The Symbol menu works when you want to locate the character visually.
Can I use the multiplication sign in Word for the web?
Yes. Use a Symbol command if it is available in your version, or copy × and paste it into the document. The web interface does not always have the same menus or shortcuts as desktop Word.
Why does Word change my code when I press Alt+X?
Alt+X converts a Unicode hexadecimal code into its character in desktop Word. If the code is next to other hexadecimal text, Word may select or convert a different span than you intended. Select only 00D7 before using the shortcut.
Should I use × or x in an equation?
Use × for a multiplication operation when that is the notation expected in your document. Use x when it represents a variable. In algebra, multiplication is often shown by placing variables together, so follow the notation used in the rest of the work.
Can I make Word insert × automatically?
Yes. You can create a custom AutoCorrect entry that replaces a distinctive shortcut with ×. Test it first, because a trigger that is too common may replace text when you do not intend it to.