Enter pi characters on Mac and iPad

The pi symbol is one of the Greek letters used in mathematics instead of the underlying numbers. Here, π represents the number of circles, which relates the diameter of a circle to its circumference. The numerical value of 3,1415926 ... and so on can be abbreviated as Pi in geometrical-mathematical formulas - but how does the fast digital notation succeed? As an Apple user, how can you enter the pi symbol on the Mac and iPad? You can find the instructions here!

Enter pi characters on Mac keyboard

In order to be able to write the pi character with the Mac keyboard, only a simple key combination is required. This consists of the two keys Alt and P. Just hold down Alt (also marked with “option” or “⌥”) and then press the P key. You have already written a π in your document, in the text field or in the formula editor. If you are looking for a keyboard for the Apple Mac, iMac and MacBook that has Pi and other special characters printed on the keys, then the Matias Tactile pro interested;)

Enter the pi symbol on the Mac - under macOS you only need the key combination Alt + P. Product image: Apple.com
Enter the pi symbol on the Mac - under macOS you only need the key combination Alt + P. Product image: Apple.com

Write π on iPad and iPhone

Entering the pi symbol on the iPhone or typing it using the iPad keyboard - unfortunately this is not as easy as it is under macOS. Because in the mobile iOS operating system, at least on the keyboard with Latin characters, no π is provided - not even with 3D Touch. But there are three work-arounds, one of which is sure to come in handy for you:

  • The π symbol from this guide or from the Wikipedia page copy
  • Activate the Greek keyboard because Pi is a letter in the corresponding alphabet
  • Set up a “replace” command, for example to replace the word “pi” with “π”

Instructions: Setting up the Greek keyboard on iOS

You can set up a different keyboard in iOS either via the Settings app or directly via text input. The second approach is particularly suitable if you want to switch in the middle of the text. And this is how it works under iOS 12 on the iPhone and iPad:

  1. Hold that World or emoji icon (bottom left) pressed
  2. Selects in the menu displayed Keyboard settings ... from
  3. Now tap on Keyboards (first menu item)
  4. Tap on Add keyboard… and choose Griechisch from
  5. Keep that in the text app again World symbol pressed and dials Greek from
Enter the pi symbol on the iPad or write on the iPhone. You can get there via this menu (or the Settings app).
Enter the pi symbol on the iPad or write on the iPhone. You can get there via this menu (or the Settings app).
Once you've set it up, you can quickly access the Greek keyboard on iOS to enter π.
Once you've set it up, you can quickly access the Greek keyboard on iOS to enter π.

Instructions: Use text replacement for frequent use

If you need the π-symbol not just once but more often on the iPad or iPhone, then the "text replacement" can help. By means of this, entering the circle number symbol is as easy as entering the pi symbol on a Mac. Because all you have to do is enter a word or a combination of characters that you have specified and it will be replaced by the 16th letter of the Greek alphabet. That's how it works:

  1. Opens over the Settings or Emoji / world symbol can Keyboard settings ...
  2. Now tap on there Text replacement
  3. Tap on the in the top right +
  4. Enter π for "Text" and your combination of characters for "Shortcut"
  5. Tap in the top right Easily secure and you can enter the pi symbol on the iPad at any time
You can also do this without keyboard settings - by using text replacement.
You can also do this without keyboard settings - by using text replacement.
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