Beta Symbol (β, Β)
Your complete guide to the Beta symbol
Copy, learn, and understand everything about the second letter of the Greek alphabet
What is the Beta Symbol?
The Beta symbol (β, Β) is the second letter of the Greek alphabet. With a rich history dating back to ancient Greece, it has evolved from the Phoenician letter "beth" and has become an essential symbol in various fields of study, from mathematics to biology.
In modern usage, the Beta symbol carries significant meaning across multiple disciplines. Its versatility and historical importance have made it one of the most recognizable Greek letters, second only to perhaps Alpha (α) and Pi (π).
Uppercase Beta (Β)
- Unicode: U+0392
- HTML Code: Β
- HTML Entity: Β
- Aliases: Capital Beta, Upper Beta
- Pronunciation: /ˈbiːtə/
- Historical Origin: Derived from Phoenician letter "beth"
Lowercase Beta (β)
- Unicode: U+03B2
- HTML Code: β
- HTML Entity: β
- Aliases: Small Beta, Lower Beta
- Alternative Forms: ϐ (Greek Beta Symbol, U+03D0)
- Mathematical Usage: Commonly used in equations and formulas
How to Type Beta Symbol
The Beta symbol can be typed in various ways depending on your operating system and software. Here's a comprehensive guide to help you type the Beta symbol across different platforms and applications.
Windows
Using Alt Codes:
- Lowercase β: Hold Alt + type 225
- Uppercase Β: Hold Alt + type 914
- Note: Use the numeric keypad, not the number row
Using Character Map:
- Press Windows + R
- Type "charmap" and press Enter
- Select "Greek and Coptic" from the font dropdown
- Locate and double-click the Beta symbol
- Click "Copy" to copy the symbol
Microsoft Office:
- Click Insert > Symbol > More Symbols
- Select "Greek and Coptic" from the Subset dropdown
- Find and select the Beta symbol
- Click "Insert" or "Copy"
macOS
Keyboard Shortcuts:
- Lowercase β: Option + B
- Uppercase Β: Option + Shift + B
Character Viewer:
- Press Control + Command + Space
- Click the icon in the top-right corner
- Select "Greek" from the sidebar
- Find and click the Beta symbol
Mobile Devices
iOS:
- Press and hold the B key on the keyboard
- Slide to select the β symbol
- For uppercase Β, enable caps lock first
Android:
- Open Google Keyboard (Gboard)
- Tap ?123 then =\< to access symbols
- Look for the Greek symbols section
- Or long-press B for quick access
Common Uses of Beta Symbol
The Beta symbol has diverse applications across multiple fields of study and industry. Its versatility makes it one of the most frequently used Greek letters in scientific and technical contexts.
Mathematics & Physics
- Beta Function: A special function related to the gamma function, used in various mathematical calculations
- Beta Radiation: High-energy electron or positron radiation emitted by radioactive decay
- Beta Decay: A type of radioactive decay where a beta particle is emitted
- Angular Velocity: Used to represent the beta angle in rotational mechanics
- Statistical Analysis: Represents the standardized regression coefficient in statistics
Finance & Economics
- Beta Coefficient: Measures a stock's volatility compared to the overall market
- Risk Assessment: Used in the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM)
- Portfolio Management: Helps determine systematic risk in investment portfolios
- Market Analysis: Indicates market sensitivity of investments
- Risk Metrics: Used in various financial risk calculations
Chemistry & Biology
- Beta Sheets: Secondary structure elements in proteins
- Beta Particles: High-energy electrons or positrons in chemistry
- Beta Oxidation: Metabolic process breaking down fatty acids
- Beta Cells: Insulin-producing cells in the pancreas
- Beta Carotene: A precursor of vitamin A found in plants
- Beta Blockers: A class of medications affecting beta receptors
Software & Technology
- Beta Testing: Pre-release testing phase of software development
- Beta Versions: Software releases for testing before final release
- Beta Features: Experimental features in development
- Beta Programs: Early access programs for software testing
- Beta Releases: Development milestone before stable release
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Beta (β) and German Eszett (ß)?
While the Beta symbol (β) and the German Eszett (ß) look similar, they are different characters with distinct uses. Beta is a Greek letter used in mathematics, science, and other technical fields, while Eszett is a letter used in the German alphabet representing a double 's' sound.
Why is Beta used in software development?
In software development, "beta" refers to the pre-release testing phase of software. This usage originated from IBM's terminology in the 1950s, where they used Greek letters to denote different development stages. Beta testing follows alpha testing and precedes the final release.
What does Beta mean in finance?
In finance, Beta (β) measures a stock's volatility compared to the overall market. A beta of 1 indicates the stock moves with the market, while a beta greater than 1 suggests higher volatility, and less than 1 indicates lower volatility than the market.
How is Beta used in scientific notation?
In scientific notation, Beta (β) has various uses depending on the field. In physics, it often represents beta particles or the beta decay process. In statistics, it represents regression coefficients, while in biology, it can refer to beta sheets in protein structures.
Can I use Beta symbol in my writing?
Yes, you can use the Beta symbol in your writing. Most modern word processors and text editors support Greek letters. You can insert it using the methods described in our "How to Type" section, or simply copy it from our website.
Download Beta Symbol
Download high-quality Beta symbol images in SVG and PNG formats. SVG files are perfect for scalable graphics that maintain quality at any size, while PNG files are great for direct use in documents and presentations.
Complete Greek Alphabet
The Greek alphabet consists of 24 letters, each with its own unique history and significance. Beta is just one part of this rich alphabetic system that has influenced mathematics, science, and language for thousands of years.
| Name | Uppercase | Lowercase | Original Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alpha | Beginning, first | ||
| Beta | House, second | ||
| Gamma | Angle, third | ||
| Delta | Door, fourth | ||
| Epsilon | Short E | ||
| Zeta | Life | ||
| Eta | Long E | ||
| Theta | Wheel | ||
| Iota | Smallest | ||
| Kappa | Palm | ||
| Lambda | Scale | ||
| Mu | Water | ||
| Nu | Fish | ||
| Xi | Height | ||
| Omicron | Short O | ||
| Pi | Mouth | ||
| Rho | Head | ||
| Sigma | Sum | ||
| Tau | Cross | ||
| Upsilon | Hook | ||
| Phi | Circle | ||
| Chi | Cross | ||
| Psi | Trident | ||
| Omega | Long O |