⋅ Dot Operator (Multiplication Dot)
The dot operator (⋅) is multiplication written as a raised dot — 3 ⋅ 4 — and the dot product of two vectors. It is a different character from the typographic middle dot ·.
Also known as: dot product in latex, multiplication dot latex, multiplication dot symbol, dot operator, middle dot, interpunct, centered dot symbol, ·.
Codes
| Symbol | ⋅ | |
| Middle dot (U+00B7) | · | |
| Unicode | U+22C5 | |
| HTML entity (named) | ⋅ | |
| HTML entity (decimal) | ⋅ | |
| HTML entity (hex) | ⋅ | |
| CSS | \22C5 | |
| LaTeX | \cdot | |
| Windows Alt code | Alt + 8901 |
How to type ⋅ (Dot Operator (Multiplication Dot))
Alt + 8901 gives the dot operator ⋅ in apps that accept decimal-Unicode Alt input. The typographic middle dot · has a short code that works everywhere: Alt + 0183 (or Alt + 250).
Option + Shift + 9 types the middle dot ·. For the true math dot operator ⋅, open Character Viewer (Control + Cmd + Space) and search “dot operator”, or copy ⋅ above.
Type 22C5, then press Alt + X to convert it to ⋅.
Insert → Special characters, then search “dot operator” (⋅) or “middle dot” (·).
Use \cdot in math mode: 3 \cdot 4, or \mathbf{a} \cdot \mathbf{b} for a dot product. \cdots gives the centred ellipsis ⋯ used in a₁ + a₂ + ⋯ + aₙ.
Usage
- ⋅ is multiplication when × would be confusing: in algebra 3 ⋅ x reads cleanly, while 3 × x invites the reader to mistake × for the variable x.
- For vectors, a ⋅ b is the dot (scalar) product — the sum of the products of matching components. The cross product uses × instead, and the two are genuinely different operations.
- In SI units the dot separates multiplied units: N⋅m (newton-metres), kg⋅m/s².
- Which one to use — three lookalikes, three jobs: ⋅ (U+22C5 DOT OPERATOR) is the math one and typesets with operator spacing around it. · (U+00B7 MIDDLE DOT) is the typographic interpunct, used in names, word separators and lists. • (U+2022 BULLET) is a list bullet and is visibly larger. At small sizes they look identical, but only ⋅ spaces correctly in an equation.
- In code you still write * for multiplication — ⋅ is for display, not for source.