Alt codes for symbols

How to use Alt codes

1. Turn on Num Lock.
2. Hold the left Alt key and type the code on the numeric keypad (not the number row).
3. Let go of Alt: the symbol appears.

Codes with a leading 0, like Alt+0176, come from the Windows code page 1252; these work on Windows set to English and Western European languages. Codes without it, like Alt+248, come from code page 437 of the original IBM PC; Windows in other languages may use a different old code page, so a few of them can give other symbols there.

• Alt + 0128 … 0255
• Alt + 1 … 255
• Laptop without a numeric keypad

Laptop without a numeric keypad

Alt codes only work with the digits of a numeric keypad. Without one, try this:

• The symbols panel: Win+., then the Ω tab. No codes needed.
• In Word or Outlook: type the hex code of the character and press Alt+X.
• A hidden keypad: some laptops put one on the U I O J K L M keys; turn it on with Fn + Num Lock.
• The On-Screen Keyboard (search for "osk"): Options › Turn on numeric key pad, then hold Alt and click the digits.
• Or simply tap the symbol in the tables above to copy it.

Where Alt codes come from

Alt codes date back to MS-DOS: the number was the position of the character in the computer's character set. Windows kept the trick and added a second set with a leading zero for its own code page.

Both sets hold only 255 characters, so newer symbols such as ✓ or ★ have no Alt code. For those use the symbols panel, Alt+X in Word, or copy them from this site.