Partial derivative sign

A rounded d with a curled top, marking differentiation in one variable.

Also known as: Curly d, Rounded d, Backwards 6

MathematicalScientificStandard profile

Meanings

∂ marks a partial derivative — the rate of change with respect to one variable while the others are held fixed. It is a distinct character from the letter d, and the distinction is the difference between a partial and a total derivative.

Officially standardisedVerified fact
Is encoded as U+2202 PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL in the Mathematical Operators block.
Contexts: Mathematics
Common modern usageVerified fact
Marks a derivative taken with respect to one variable while every other variable is held constant, as distinct from the total derivative written with a plain d.
Contexts: Mathematics
Common modern usageVerified fact
Is a distinct character rather than a stylistic variant of the letter d, and substituting one for the other changes the mathematical claim being made.
Contexts: Mathematics

Visual description

A rounded bowl with a stroke rising from its right side and curling over to the left at the top, like a lower-case d whose ascender has been bent backwards.

Symmetry: none
Orientation: upright

Confidence

IdentityHigh confidence: High confidence because the identity is defined by a current official standard.
Historical originModerate confidence: Moderate confidence because the historical origin is documented in encyclopedic references, but early or supporting evidence is limited, but the regional or cultural match to this specific claim is not precise.
Current useHigh confidence: High confidence because the current use is defined by a current official standard.
Visual matchHigh confidence: High confidence because the visual match is documented in encyclopedic references.

Sources

Glossary of mathematical symbols
Wikipedia · retrieved 2026-07-31
Tertiary reference. Used for what the notation means in ordinary mathematical practice and for attribution of its introduction, not for a claim that any body defines it.
Unicode Code Chart: Mathematical Operators (U+2200–U+22FF)
The Unicode Consortium · retrieved 2026-07-30
Authoritative for the character's code point, name and block only. Unicode assigns identity; it does not define what a symbol means in use.

Last reviewed 2026-08-01

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Mathematical and scientific notation

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Meanings

Officially standardisedVerified fact

Is encoded as U+2202 PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL in the Mathematical Operators block.

Contexts: Mathematics

Common modern usageVerified fact

Marks a derivative taken with respect to one variable while every other variable is held constant, as distinct from the total derivative written with a plain d.

Contexts: Mathematics

Common modern usageVerified fact

Is a distinct character rather than a stylistic variant of the letter d, and substituting one for the other changes the mathematical claim being made.

Contexts: Mathematics

Confidence

IdentityHigh confidence: High confidence because the identity is defined by a current official standard.
Historical originModerate confidence: Moderate confidence because the historical origin is documented in encyclopedic references, but early or supporting evidence is limited, but the regional or cultural match to this specific claim is not precise.
Current useHigh confidence: High confidence because the current use is defined by a current official standard.
Visual matchHigh confidence: High confidence because the visual match is documented in encyclopedic references.

Sources

Glossary of mathematical symbols
Wikipedia · retrieved 2026-07-31
Tertiary reference. Used for what the notation means in ordinary mathematical practice and for attribution of its introduction, not for a claim that any body defines it.
Unicode Code Chart: Mathematical Operators (U+2200–U+22FF)
The Unicode Consortium · retrieved 2026-07-30
Authoritative for the character's code point, name and block only. Unicode assigns identity; it does not define what a symbol means in use.

Last reviewed 2026-08-01