How to Type Delta (Δ and δ) in Word: Unicode and Equation

Table of Contents

Greek delta has two forms: uppercase Δ (U+0394) and lowercase δ (U+03B4). Use the correct form in scientific and mathematical documents.

Methods to type Delta in Word

There are four different ways to insert Delta in Word.

Method 1: Math Autocorrect (Fastest) Shortcut for Delta in Word

Type “\Delta” and press space to get Δ symbol. Similarly, type “\delta” for δ. This math autocorrect shortcut works only inside equation editor by default. However, using the following one time setting, you can make it work outside equation editor too.

Click Files → Options to open Word Options
Navigate to Proofing and click AutoCorrect Options button to open Auto Correct window
Navigate to Math Autocorrect tab
Check the box against “Use Math Autocorrect options outside Math region“
Click Ok and close all the dialogue boxed.

Enable Math Autocorrect Options — Enable Math Autocorrect Region

Method 2: Insert > Symbols

It is the most common method to insert Delta in Word. To insert Delta, follow the instruction given below:

Navigate to Insert Tab > Symbols and click on More Symbols.. to open Symbol window.
Select “normal text” or any other desired font in Font and “Greek and Coptic” in Subset.
Search for “Δ or δ” symbol and double click it to insert.
Click Cancel to close the Symbol Window.

Locate Delta in Word — Locate Delta Symbol in Word

Method 3: Alt X Code

In this method, you insert Alt X code of Delta and press Alt X immediately following it. Alt X code for Δ is 0394 and for δ is 03b4.

Method 4: Alt Code

This method is universal (i.e. works even outside of Ms Word too) but works only if you have dedicated Number Pad keys in your keyboard. In this method, you hold down Alt key and type 916 (for Δ) or 235 (for δ).

Summary

The following table summarize four different ways to type Delta (Δ/δ) in Word.

Method	Description
Math Autocorrect (Fastest and Easiest)	Type \Delta (for Δ) or \delta (for δ) and press space. Works in equation editor, but with one time setting can work outside equation editor too.
Insert > Symbols	Navigate to Insert Tab > Symbols and click on More Symbols. In the Symbol widow, select “Greek and Coptic” in Subset and double click on Δ/δ symbol to insert it.
Alt X	Type Alt X code (0394 for Δ and 03b4 for δ) and press ALT + X immediately after it to get Delta in Word
Alt Code	Hold Alt key and type 916 (Alt code for Δ) or 235 (Alt Code for δ) in Number Pad. Works only with keyboard with dedicated Number Pad.

Updated step-by-step guidance

In Word for Windows, type 0394 followed by Alt+X for Δ, or 03B4 followed by Alt+X for δ. Inside an equation, enter \Delta or \delta and press Space. Insert > Symbol > More Symbols also lists both characters.

Troubleshooting and important limitations

Decimal Alt codes can depend on Windows code pages, so Unicode conversion is less ambiguous. The triangle △ is not the same character as Greek capital delta Δ. On Mac, use Character Viewer or the Symbol dialog.