Double Prime Symbol ″

Semantic identity and intent

Characters to distinguish

• ∞ — Infinity
• e — Euler’s Number
• ∑ — Summation

Use ″ in the right format

Meaning and usage

Marks a second derivative or seconds of arc.

Distinguish it from a quotation mark in plain text.

Pronunciation: double prime symbol

Formula examples

How to type Double Prime Symbol

Windows

Open Character Map and search by name or Unicode U+2033.

macOS

Open Character Viewer with Control–Command–Space and search by the symbol name.

Microsoft Word

In an equation, type '' and press Space when Word supports the command.

iPhone and iPad

Copy and paste ″, or use a math/LaTeX app. The standard iOS keyboard may not expose every mathematical symbol.

Android

Copy and paste ″, or use a math keyboard or LaTeX editor. Keyboard layouts vary by device and app.

Google Docs

For plain text, paste ″ or use Insert → Special characters. For structured math, use the equation editor and verify ''.

Excel

Paste ″ into a cell or use Insert → Symbol when available. Ordinary cells preserve the character but do not interpret LaTeX commands.

Common mistakes

• Check whether ″ is acting as an operator, differential, index, or variable in the surrounding expression; Distinguish it from a quotation mark in plain text.
• For plain text, copy ″ as U+2033; for structured equations, use '' in math mode. A look-alike glyph or image can break search, accessibility, or parsing when the intended character is Double Prime Symbol.

When to use ″

• Use ″ in plain text when a Unicode character is appropriate and the destination preserves U+2033.
• Use '' in an equation editor when mathematical spacing or structure matters.
• Define the local meaning when Double Prime Symbol is used in calculus, geometry, differential equations with a field-specific convention.

Look-alikes and related characters

• ∞ — Infinity
• e — Euler’s Number
• ∑ — Summation

Font and compatibility notes

Glyph shape can vary by font. Verify the code point after copying, and prefer LaTeX or MathML for structured equations.

Review and source notes

Quality tier: core

Last reviewed: 2026-07-26

Review method: Checked Double Prime Symbol against its Unicode identity, LaTeX representation, HTML serialization, MathML token, and copy-and-paste behavior.

Verified against: Unicode Standard, Unicode mathematical notation guidance, and established LaTeX/MathML syntax.

Reference sources

• The Unicode StandardUnicode Consortium — Character identity, encoding, names, and conformance.
• Unicode Character Code ChartsUnicode Consortium — Code points and official character charts.
• Unicode Technical Report #25: Unicode Support for MathematicsUnicode Consortium — Mathematical character usage, variants, and notation support.
• LaTeX Project DocumentationThe LaTeX Project — LaTeX syntax, authoring model, and official documentation links.
• MathML CoreW3C — Semantic web mathematics elements and browser behavior.

Frequently asked questions