Free generator, copy and paste
Overline text generator x̅ and friends
A bar above each character. Statisticians use it for the mean, engineers for NOT, and everyone else for a little extra weight.
- overline
- double overline
- underline
- strikethrough
Updated · strikethroughtext.online
How this works
The combining overline, U+0305, sits on top of the character before it. Put one after every letter and the bars link into a continuous line over the word. U+033F does the same with two bars. The tool also shows underline and strikethrough versions of your text for comparison.
Where overlines actually mean something
Most text styles are decoration. The overline has real jobs in several fields.
Statistics. x̅ is the sample mean. If you’re writing up results in a chat, a comment or a quick note, x̅ = 4.2 is clearer than xbar = 4.2.
Boolean logic and electronics. A̅ means NOT A. Active-low signals in electronics are drawn with a bar over the name, like R̅E̅S̅E̅T̅, which tells an engineer the pin is triggered by a low voltage.
Repeating decimals. In many countries, 0.3̅ means 0.333… forever. One overlined digit says it all.
Roman numerals. A bar over a numeral multiplies it by a thousand, so V̅ is 5,000.
Getting a single symbol right
For a single character like x̅, switch off line through the spaces too and type just that letter. Then check the result in the place you’re pasting it, because fonts disagree about how high the bar should sit. On some phones it floats a little above the letter. On others it touches the top of capitals.
If the bar must look perfect, for example in a paper or a printed handout, use your editor’s equation tools instead. In Word, Insert → Equation → Accent → Overbar typesets the bar to fit each letter. Google Docs has a similar option under Insert → Equation, with the \bar command.
The usual caveats
Overlined text is longer than it looks: each letter becomes two characters. It won’t match a search for the plain word, and screen readers may read the marks out or skip them. Use it where the meaning is visual, and add a plain-text explanation when it matters.
Questions people ask
How do I type x bar (x̅)?
Type x in the box and turn off "line through the spaces too", then copy the overline result. You get x followed by U+0305, which displays as x̅ in most fonts. In Word, use Insert → Equation and the Overbar accent for a properly typeset version.
What is the difference between an overline and a macron?
A macron (ā, U+0304) is a short accent that fits over a single letter. An overline (U+0305) is designed to join up with the next one, so a whole word gets a continuous bar. For a single statistics symbol either works; for words, use the overline.
Why does the overline touch tall letters?
Fonts place the mark at a fixed height. On capitals and letters like b, d, h or l it can sit very close to the top of the letter or overlap it slightly. Lowercase letters without ascenders give the cleanest result.