How to type symbols on any keyboard
Shortcuts for the symbols people need most, on Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android and Linux. Every key combination here comes from the official layout data.
Quick table: popular symbols
Tap a symbol to copy it. Alt codes need the numeric keypad with Num Lock on.
| Symbol | Windows | Mac (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|
| Euro symbol | Alt+0128 | ⌥ Option+⇧ Shift+2 |
| Degree symbol | Alt+0176 | ⌥ Option+⇧ Shift+8 |
| Plus or minus symbol | Alt+0177 | ⌥ Option+⇧ Shift+= |
| Approximately symbol | Alt+247 | ⌥ Option+X |
| Does not equal symbol | 2260 Alt+X | ⌥ Option+= |
| Less than or equal to symbol | Alt+243 | ⌥ Option+, |
| Greater than or equal to symbol | Alt+242 | ⌥ Option+. |
| Multiplication sign | Alt+0215 | – |
| Divide symbol | Alt+0247 | ⌥ Option+/ |
| Copyright symbol | Alt+0169 | ⌥ Option+G |
| Registered trademark symbol | Alt+0174 | ⌥ Option+R |
| TM symbol | Alt+0153 | ⌥ Option+2 |
| Section symbol | Alt+0167 | ⌥ Option+6 |
| Paragraph symbol (pilcrow) | Alt+0182 | ⌥ Option+7 |
| Ellipsis symbol | Alt+0133 | ⌥ Option+; |
| Em dash | Alt+0151 | ⌥ Option+⇧ Shift+- |
| En dash | Alt+0150 | ⌥ Option+- |
| Bullet point symbol | Alt+0149 | ⌥ Option+8 |
| One half fraction | Alt+0189 | – |
| Squared symbol | Alt+0178 | – |
| Micro symbol | Alt+0181 | ⌥ Option+M |
| O with stroke | Alt+0216 | ⌥ Option+⇧ Shift+O |
| Left guillemet (angle quote) | Alt+0171 | ⌥ Option+\ |
| Right guillemet | Alt+0187 | ⌥ Option+⇧ Shift+\ |
Windows
Windows has three built-in ways. The classic one is the Alt code: Alt+0128 gives €, Alt+3 gives ♥. Codes with a leading 0 come from code page 1252 (Western Windows); codes without it come from the old DOS code page 437.
- Turn on Num Lock.
- Hold the left Alt key and type the code on the numeric keypad (not the number row).
- Let go of Alt: the symbol appears.
Windows 10 and 11 also have a panel for emoji, kaomoji and symbols: press Win+. and open the Ω tab.
In Microsoft Word and Outlook you can type any symbol by its code: type the hex code (for example 2192) and press Alt+X to get →.
Mac
On a Mac the Option key (⌥) types extra characters: ⌥ Option+⇧ Shift+8 gives °, ⌥G gives ©, ⌥2 gives ™. The keys below are for the U.S. layout; other layouts differ.
For anything else press Ctrl+⌘+Space (or the Globe key + E) to open the Character Viewer, search by name and click the symbol.
iPhone and Android
Phone keyboards hide some symbols behind a long press or on the second symbol page. These are the ones we checked on the English (US) keyboards:
| Symbol | iPhone | Android (Gboard) |
|---|---|---|
| 123 → hold 0 | ?123 → =\< | |
| 123 → hold $ | ?123 → =\< | |
| 123 → hold $ | ?123 → =\< | |
| 123 → hold $ | ?123 → =\< | |
| 123 → hold $ | ?123 → =\< | |
| 123 → hold $ | – | |
| 123 → hold $ | – | |
| 123 → hold - | – | |
| 123 → hold - | – | |
| 123 → hold - | ?123 → =\< | |
| 123 → hold ? | – | |
| 123 → hold ! | – | |
| 123 → hold " | – | |
| 123 → hold " | – | |
| 123 → hold " | – | |
| 123 → hold " | – | |
| 123 → hold " | – | |
| 123 → hold ' | – | |
| 123 → hold ' | – | |
| 123 → hold ' | – | |
| 123 → hold ' | – | |
| 123 → hold ' | – | |
| 123 → hold . | – | |
| 123 → hold & | – | |
| 123 → hold % | – | |
| – | ?123 → =\< | |
| – | ?123 → =\< | |
| – | ?123 → =\< | |
| – | ?123 → =\< | |
| – | ?123 → =\< | |
| – | ?123 → =\< | |
| – | ?123 → =\< | |
| – | ?123 → =\< | |
| – | ?123 → =\< | |
| – | ?123 → =\< |
Other keyboard languages place symbols differently.
A shortcut for any symbol
For a symbol you use often, make a text shortcut once:
- Copy the symbol from this site.
- iPhone: Settings › General › Keyboard › Text Replacement › +. Android (Gboard): Gboard settings › Dictionary › Personal dictionary › +.
- Paste the symbol and choose a short word as the shortcut. Type that word in any app and pick the symbol from the suggestions.
Linux
In GTK apps and with IBus (GNOME, Ubuntu, Fedora) press Ctrl+Shift+U, type the hex code and press Enter: Ctrl+Shift+U b0 Enter gives °. Many desktops also have a Compose key you can turn on in the keyboard settings.
Questions people ask
How do I type symbols that are not on my keyboard?
Copy them from this site, or use your system: Alt codes or Win + . on Windows, Option shortcuts or the Character Viewer on a Mac, long press or a text shortcut on phones.
Why does my Alt code type the wrong symbol?
Alt codes depend on the code page of your Windows language. Codes with a leading 0 (Alt+0176) use the Windows code page, codes without it (Alt+248) the old DOS one. Also make sure you type the digits on the numeric keypad with Num Lock on.
Do Alt codes work on a Mac?
No. Macs use the Option key instead: ⌥⇧8 for °, ⌥G for ©, ⌥2 for ™ on the U.S. layout.
How do I type symbols on a laptop without a numeric keypad?
Use Win + . (the symbols panel), Alt+X in Word, the Character Map app, or copy the symbol from this site. Some laptops have a hidden numeric keypad on the letter keys that you switch on with Fn.
Can I make my own keyboard shortcut for a symbol?
Yes. On phones use Text Replacement (iPhone) or the Gboard personal dictionary. On a Mac use System Settings › Keyboard › Text Replacements. In Word use AutoCorrect.