Greek alphabet

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Almost all of the letters of the Greek alphabet are used to represent physical quantities and units. This is, in part, because of the limited number of characters in the English alphabet. 

Summary

The right hand column gives a common example of use, where applicable. 

Uppercase Lowercase Phrase Example
Α α alpha Type of ionising radiation
Β β beta Type of ionising radiation
Γ γ gamma Type of ionising radiation
Δ δ delta Change in [quantity]
Ε ε epsilon EMF
Ζ ζ zêta  
Η η êta Thermal efficiency (Engineering)
Θ θ thêta Unknown angle
Ι ι iota  
Κ κ kappa  
Λ λ lambda Wavelength
Μ μ mu Unit prefix
Ν ν nu Neutrino
Ξ ξ xi  
Ο ο omikron  
Π π pi Number (circumference of circle / diameter)
Ρ ρ rho Density
Σ σ, ς sigma Sum of [quantity]
Τ τ tau Lepton
Υ υ upsilon  
Φ φ phi Magnetic flux
Χ χ chi  
Ψ ψ psi Wave function
Ω ω omega Ohm
 

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