Symbol Hub

Triangle Symbol

The triangle symbol (△) is the geometric triangle used in notation like △ABC. It is a different character from the Greek capital delta Δ, which means “change in”.

Also known as: triangle symbol, triangle sign, white up-pointing triangle, geometry triangle symbol.

Codes

Symbol
Filled▲ · U+25B2
UnicodeU+25B3
HTML entity (decimal)△
HTML entity (hex)△
CSS\25B3
LaTeX\triangle

How to type (Triangle Symbol)

Windows25B3, Alt + X

In Word, type 25B3 then press Alt + X. Elsewhere, copy △ above or use Character Map.

Mac

Open Character Viewer (Control + Cmd + Space) and search “triangle”, or copy △ above.

Microsoft Word25B3, Alt + X

Type 25B3, then press Alt + X to convert it to △.

Google Docs

Insert → Special characters, then search “triangle” (or draw one in the sketch box).

LaTeX\triangle

Use \triangle in math mode: \triangle ABC. \bigtriangleup draws a larger one.

Usage

  • In geometry, △ABC names the triangle with vertices A, B and C: “△ABC is congruent to △DEF”.
  • △ vs Δ — the trap worth knowing. △ (U+25B3) is a shape. Δ (U+0394) is the Greek capital delta, and in math and science it means “change in”: Δx is a change in x, not a triangle. They are different characters and are not interchangeable, however similar the glyphs look.
  • ▲ (U+25B2) is the filled version, used in UI as a sort or expand indicator rather than in math.
  • Turned the other way up, ∇ (U+2207) is nabla — a differential operator, not a shape.

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