How to Type Symbols Using the ALT Key: Alt Codes + More (2024)

  • Categories
  • Computers and Electronics
  • Software
  • Graphics

Download Article

Learn how to make symbols with the "Alt" key on your computer or laptop

Written byDarlene Antonelli, MA

Last Updated: July 23, 2024Fact Checked

Download Article

  • Using Windows
  • |
  • Using Mac
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • Tips
  • |
  • Warnings

Do you want to type symbols with your keyboard on Windows, Mac, Linux, or Chromebook? These are specifically known as "Alt Codes" and you can use them on almost any computer or laptop! This wikiHow article teaches you how to type symbols using the "Alt" key on your keyboard.

Alt Key Symbol Cheat Sheets

Alt Key Symbols for PC

Option Key Symbols for Mac

Things You Should Know

  • Pressing the "Alt" key while typing a code on the number pad on Windows results in a special character.
  • Press the "Opt" key on Mac to find special characters like the "Alt" key on Windows.
  • On Linux and Chromebooks, you can press Ctrl + Shift + U to type any Unicode character, as long as the font you're typing it in supports it.

Section 1 of 3:

Using Windows

Download Article

  1. 1

    Type currency symbols. Hold Alt and type the number below using the numeric pad on your keyboard. When you release Alt, the symbol will appear. NumLock must be enabled.[1]

    SymbolNameCode

    Euro

    0128

    £

    Pound

    156

    ¢

    Cent

    155

    ¥

    Yen

    157

    ƒ

    Florin

    159

    ¤

    Currency

    0164

  2. 2

    Type mathematics symbols. Hold Alt and type the number below using the numeric pad on your keyboard to insert mathematics symbols. When you release the Alt key, the symbol will appear. NumLock needs to be enabled.[2]

    SymbolNameCode
    ÷

    Division (Obelus)

    246

    ×

    Multiplication

    0215

    ±

    Plus or minus

    0177

    Approximate

    247

    Square root

    251

    Power n

    252

    ²

    Squared

    253

    ¼

    Quarter

    0188

    ½

    Half

    0189

    ¾

    Three quarters

    0190

    Infinity

    236

    Greater than or equal

    242

    Less than or equal

    243

    π

    Pi

    227

    °

    Degree

    248

    Advertisement

  3. 3

    Type special punctuation and editing symbols. Hold Alt and use the numeric pad to enter the number below to create special punctuation symbols. When you let go of the Alt, the symbol will be inserted. NumLock must be enabled.[3]

    SymbolNameCode
    ¡

    Inverted exclamation

    173

    ¿

    Inverted question

    168

    §

    Section

    21

    Paragraph

    20

    ©

    Copyright

    0169

    ®

    Registered

    0174

    Trademark

    0153

    Dagger

    0134

    Double dagger

    0135

    En dash

    0150

    Em dash

    0151

    Bullet

    0149

  4. 4

    Type musical notation. Hold the Alt key and enter the number below using the numeric pad on your keyboard. When you release Alt, the musical symbol will appear. NumLock must be enabled for these to work. Symbols with codes between 9000 and 9999 rely on certain fonts, and may not work everywhere.

    SymbolNameCode

    Quarter note

    13

    Eighth note

    14

    Sixteenth note

    9836

    Flat

    9837

    Natural

    9838

    Sharp

    9839

  5. 5

    Type other miscellaneous symbols. Hold Alt and type the number below with the numeric pad. When you release Alt, the symbol will appear. NumLock has to be on.[4]

    SymbolNameCode

    Smiley

    1

    Black Smiley

    2

    Heart

    3

    Diamond

    4

    Club

    5

    Spade

    6

    Male

    11

    Female

    12

    Up arrow

    24

    Down arrow

    25

    Right arrow

    26

    Left arrow

    27

    Sun

    15

    Home

    127

    Ω

    Ohms

    234

  6. Advertisement

Section 2 of 3:

Using Mac

Download Article

  1. 1

    Type currency symbols. When you hold Opt or Shift+ Opt, your keyboard keys will make different symbols than normal. This includes some of the more popular currency symbols. Use the shortcuts below to type different currency symbols.

    SymbolNameShortcut
    ¢

    Cent

    Opt+4

    Euro

    Shift+ Opt+2

    £

    Pound

    Opt+3

    ¥

    Yen

    Opt+Y

    ƒ

    Florin

    Opt+F

  2. 2

    Type mathematics symbols. Use Opt or Shift+ Opt to modify the functions of your keyboard keys. Use the modifiers below to type different mathematics symbols.

    SymbolNameShortcut
    ÷

    Division (Obelus)

    Opt+/

    ±

    Plus or minus

    Shift+ Opt+=

    °

    Degree

    Shift+ Opt+8

    Greater than or equal

    Opt+>

    Less than or equal

    Opt+<

    π

    Pi

    Opt+P

    Approximate

    Opt+X

    Not equal

    Opt+=

    Infinity

    Opt+5

    Integral

    Opt+B

  3. 3

    Type special punctuation and editing symbols. The Opt and Shift+ Opt modifiers will change the symbols your keyboard keys create. Some of these modified characters are punctuation and editing symbols. Use the key combinations below to type these symbols.

    SymbolNameShortcut
    ¿

    Inverted question

    Shift+ Opt+?

    ¡

    Inverted exclamation

    Opt+1

    ©

    Copyright

    Opt+G

    ®

    Registered

    Opt+R

    Trademark

    Opt+2

    Paragraph

    Opt+7

    §

    Section

    Opt+6

    Bullet

    Opt+8

    En dash

    Opt+-

    Em dash

    Shift+ Opt+-

    Dagger

    Opt+T

    Double dagger

    Shift+ Opt+7

  4. 4

    Use the Symbol Viewer to find more symbols. The Mac doesn't have as many codes as a Windows computer, but you can find lots of different symbols in the Symbol Viewer:[5]

    • Click the Apple menu and select "System Preferences."
    • Click the "Keyboard" option and then check "Show viewers for keyboard, emoji, and symbols in menu bar."
    • Click the viewer icon that appears in the menu bar and select "Show Emoji & Symbols."
    • Browse through the categories of symbols and double-click the one you want to insert.
  5. Advertisement

Section 3 of 3:

Using Linux & Chromebook

Download Article

  1. 1

    Press Ctrl+ Shift+U. An underlined u will appear. This works on both Linux and Chromebook, which is based on Linux.

  2. 2

    Type the Unicode hex value of the character. You can look it up in a Unicode table and convert from decimal to hexadecimal if necessary. You don't have to type the zeroes at the beginning.

  3. 3

    Press Enter. The character should appear in place of the underlined u and the numbers.

  4. 4

    Type currency symbols. To type currency symbols on Linux and Chromebook, press Ctrl + Shift + U and then type one of the following Unicode hex values and press Enter to type currency symbols:

    SymbolNameCode

    Euro

    20AC

    £

    Pound

    00A3

    Ruble

    20BD

    $

    Dollar

    0024

    Won

    20A9

    ¥

    Yen

    00A5

  5. 5

    Type mathematical symbols. To type mathmatic symbols on Linux and Chromebook, press Ctrl + Shift + U and then type one of the following Unicode hex values and press Enter to type mathmatic symbols:

    SymbolNameCode
    ÷

    Division Sign

    00F7

    ×

    Multiplication Sign

    00D7

    ±

    Plus Minus

    00B1

    Approximately Equal To

    2248

    Not Equal To

    2260

    Is Element Of

    2208

    Not Element Of

    2209

    Infinity

    221E

    Less Or Equal

    2264

    Greater Or Equal

    2265

    π

    Pi

    03C0

    Square Root

    221A

    Cube Root

    221B

  6. 6

    Type special punctuation:

    SymbolNameCode
    ¡

    Inverted Exclamation Mark

    00A1

    ¿

    Inverted Question Mark

    00BF

    «

    Left Angle Quote

    00AB

    »

    Right Angle Quote

    00BB

    Left Angle Bracket

    300A

    Right Angle Bracket

    300B

    Low Left Cursive Quote

    201E

    Left Cursive Quote

    201C

    Per Mille Sign

    2030

    En Dash

    2013

    Em Dash

    2014

  7. 7

    Type common symbols. To type commonly used symbols on Linux and Chromebook, press Ctrl + Shift + U and then type one of the following Unicode hex values and press Enter to type the following symbols:

    SymbolNameCode
    §

    Section

    00A7

    Pilcrow / Paragraph Mark

    00B6

    ©

    Copyright

    00A9

    ®

    Registered

    00AE

    Trademark

    2122

    Replacement Character

    FFFD

    Command Key

    2318

  8. 8

    Type musical notation. To type musical notations on Linux and Chromebook, press Ctrl + Shift + U and then type one of the following Unicode hex values and press Enter to type music symbols:

    SymbolNameCode

    Quarter Note

    2669

    Eighth Note

    266A

    Beamed Eighth Notes

    266B

    Beamed Sixteenth Notes

    266C

    Bemolle / Flat

    266D

    Natural

    266E

    Dièse / Sharp

    266F

  9. 9

    Type Chess symbols. To type Chess symbols that represent Chess pieces on Linux and Chromebook, press Ctrl + Shift + U and then type one of the following Unicode hex values and press Enter to type Chess symbols:

    SymbolNameCodeSymbolNameCode

    White King

    2654

    Black King

    265A

    White Queen

    2655

    Black Queen

    265B

    White Rook

    2656

    Black Rook

    265C

    White Bishop

    2657

    Black Bishop

    265D

    White Knight

    2658

    Black Knight

    265E

    White Pawn

    2659

    Black Pawn

    265f

  10. 10

    Type arrows. To type text arrows on Linux and Chromebook, press Ctrl + Shift + U and then type one of the following Unicode hex values and press Enter to add arrows to your text:

    SymbolNameCode

    Left Arrow

    2190

    Up Arrow

    2191

    Right Arrow

    2192

    Down Arrow

    2193

    Left Right Arrow

    2194

    Up Down Arrow

    2195

    Diagonal Left Up Arrow

    2196

    Diagonal Right Up Arrow

    2197

    Diagonal Right Down Arrow

    2198

    Diagonal Left Down Arrow

    2199

    Counterclockwise Circle Arrow

    21BA

    Clockwise Circle Arrow

    21BB

  11. 11

    Type other miscellaneous symbols. To type the following miscellaneous symbols on Linux and Chromebook, press Ctrl + Shift + U and then type one of the following Unicode hex values and press Enter to type miscellaneous symbols:

    SymbolNameCode

    Smiley

    263A

    Black Smiley

    263B

    Heart

    2665

    Diamond

    2666

    Club

    2663

    Female

    2640

    Male

    2642

    Male and Female

    26A5

  12. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

  • Question

    Why doesn't Alt+9773 make a hammer and sickle symbol?

    How to Type Symbols Using the ALT Key: Alt Codes + More (12)

    Community Answer

    The 9000 series of codes only work in certain fonts. Entering the code in Word will usually work, provided the font supports it. It may not work in your browser or other programs,.

    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support wikiHow

    YesNo

    Not Helpful 11Helpful 19

  • Question

    How do I invert the "?" symbol?

    How to Type Symbols Using the ALT Key: Alt Codes + More (13)

    Community Answer

    If you are using a PC, you can type the inverted question mark by entering the ALT codes 0191, 6824, or 168 on your number pad. If you are on a Mac, you can enter the "¿" symbol by pressing "Shift" and "Option" simultaneously and then, without releasing, typing the "?" symbol.

    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support wikiHow

    YesNo

    Not Helpful 3Helpful 7

  • Question

    How do I type the "@" symbol on a Spanish keyboard?

    How to Type Symbols Using the ALT Key: Alt Codes + More (14)

    Community Answer

    Because Spanish keyboards usually have accents where the @ symbol would normally be, you need to use a slightly different code. You can try the ALT code 64 for a PC, or you can type "Control" + "Shift" and then the key with the @ symbol printed on it.

    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support wikiHow

    YesNo

    Not Helpful 24Helpful 25

See more answers

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

      Advertisement

      Tips

      • If the Windows Alt code includes zeros, you must input them.

        Thanks

        Helpful0Not Helpful0

      • If you have no numeric keypad, on Windows 10, you can use the on-screen keyboard (OSK) - hit Ctrl+ Win+O to open it.

        Thanks

        Helpful0Not Helpful0

      Submit a Tip

      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

      Submit

      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      Advertisement

      Warnings

      • Alt codes only work with programs that accept an ASCII input.

        Thanks

        Helpful1Not Helpful1

      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How toType the Trademark SymbolHow toMake a Fake ID
      2 Easy Ways to Type a Symbol on a Laptop Keyboard4 Simple Ways to Find the DPI of an Image on a ComputerHow to Text a Heart <3 Using Symbols Instead of EmojiSimple Ways to Find the Hex Code of Any Color on Your ComputerHow to Effectively Resize Images to a Specific Size in KBHow toMake a Cat Using Your KeyboardHow toDownload from FigmaHow to Type Exponents on a Mac

      Advertisement

      About This Article

      How to Type Symbols Using the ALT Key: Alt Codes + More (30)

      Written by:

      Darlene Antonelli, MA

      wikiHow Technology Writer

      This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Darlene Antonelli, MA. Darlene Antonelli is a Technology Writer and Editor for wikiHow. Darlene has experience teaching college courses, writing technology-related articles, and working hands-on in the technology field. She earned an MA in Writing from Rowan University in 2012 and wrote her thesis on online communities and the personalities curated in such communities. This article has been viewed 4,638,941 times.

      How helpful is this?

      Co-authors: 166

      Updated: July 23, 2024

      Views:4,638,941

      Categories: Graphics

      In other languages

      French

      Spanish

      German

      Portuguese

      Russian

      Chinese

      Indonesian

      Dutch

      Thai

      Arabic

      Hindi

      Turkish

      • Print
      • Send fan mail to authors

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 4,638,941 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • How to Type Symbols Using the ALT Key: Alt Codes + More (31)

        Kupa O.

        May 6

        "I have now got some knowledge on how to use a laptop."

      More reader storiesHide reader stories

      Is this article up to date?

      How to Type Symbols Using the ALT Key: Alt Codes + More (32)

      Advertisement

      How to Type Symbols Using the ALT Key: Alt Codes + More (2024)

      FAQs

      How to Type Symbols Using the ALT Key: Alt Codes + More? ›

      To insert an ASCII character, press and hold down ALT while typing the character code. For example, to insert the degree (º) symbol, press and hold down ALT while typing 0176 on the numeric keypad. You must use the numeric keypad to type the numbers, and not the keyboard.

      How to type symbols using Alt key? ›

      To use an Alt code, press and hold down the Alt key and type the code using the numeric key pad on the right side of your keyboard. If you do not have a numeric keypad, copy and paste the symbols from this page, or go back try another typing method.

      How do I type extra symbols on my keyboard? ›

      Use the Number Pad to Create Keyboard Symbols

      Using the number pad on a Windows computer lets you use the ANSI code for special characters and symbols. Press Alt + [the number code for the symbol or accented letter]. For example, Alt + 1 inserts ☺, while Alt + 0153 inserts the trademark ™.

      How do I type all symbols on my keyboard? ›

      Use the Symbol Viewer to find more symbols.

      Click the "Keyboard" option and then check "Show viewers for keyboard, emoji, and symbols in menu bar." Click the viewer icon that appears in the menu bar and select "Show Emoji & Symbols." Browse through the categories of symbols and double-click the one you want to insert.

      What is the Alt 255 symbol? ›

      The magic sequence of keys Alt-255 typed at numeric keypad places an Invisible Character symbol into text. This character looks like a blank space in the program code and SAS output but is processed and printed by many programs as a valid text character.

      How do you type ✔ on a keyboard? ›

      Position the cursor where you want to insert the new symbol. 2. Hold down the Alt key, and use the number keypad to enter the character code — that's 0252 for the plain checkmark and 0254 for the boxed checkmark.

      What is the alt code for █? ›

      Alt Codes
      SymbolAltCode
      218
      219
      220
      221
      15 more rows

      How do I enable special characters on my keyboard? ›

      You can use alt codes to display special characters in Windows. By holding down the Alt key and pressing a specific sequence of numbers, you can display characters without using software tools like the Character Map.

      What is the Alt code for the star symbol? ›

      When using Microsoft Word on a PC, click on the location in your document where you want to put the star symbol. Hold down the Alt key on your keyboard. While holding down Alt, type the number 9733 to insert a black star (★) or the number 9734 to insert a white star (☆).

      How do you type ☺ on a keyboard? ›

      1. Method 1 of 7:On Windows Keyboards With Numeric Keypads. Click on the location where you want to insert the symbol.
      2. Press Alt.
      3. Press 1 on the keypad for ☺.
      4. Press 2 on the keypad for ☻.
      5. Method 2 of 7:On Windows Programs Using Unicode. ...
      6. Type 263a and press Alt+X for ☺.
      7. Type 263b and press Alt+X for ☻.
      8. Method 3 of 7:On Mac.
      Dec 27, 2022

      What is ALT 0173? ›

      Unicode defines the following special character as soft hyphen (discretionary hyphen) 00AD: Shortcut Alt 0173. In Word typing Alt+0173 or converting 00AD creates a hyphen similar to 002D (hyphen minus) and not the discretionary hyphen.

      What is the ALT 171 symbol? ›

      1) Press the "Alt" key on your keyboard, and do not let go. 2) While keep press "Alt", on your keyboard type the number "171", which is the number of the letter or symbol "½" in ASCII table.

      What is the ALT 164 symbol? ›

      The lowercase ⟨ñ⟩ can be made in the Microsoft Windows operating system by typing Alt + 164 or Alt + 0241 on the numeric keypad (with Num Lock turned on); the uppercase ⟨Ñ⟩ can be made with Alt + 165 or Alt + 0209 .

      How to use Alt characters? ›

      To insert an Alt Key character, hold down the "Alt" key while typing (using the numbers keypad to the right of the keyboard) the four numbers in the "Alt Code" column of the chart then release the "Alt" key.

      How do I type é on my keyboard? ›

      Using the Alt Code
      1. Ensure your Num Lock is on.
      2. Hold down the Alt key.
      3. While holding the Alt key, type 0233 on the numeric keypad.
      4. Release the Alt key, and voilà, the é appears!
      Dec 5, 2023

      Top Articles
      Latest Posts
      Recommended Articles
      Article information

      Author: Velia Krajcik

      Last Updated:

      Views: 5970

      Rating: 4.3 / 5 (74 voted)

      Reviews: 89% of readers found this page helpful

      Author information

      Name: Velia Krajcik

      Birthday: 1996-07-27

      Address: 520 Balistreri Mount, South Armand, OR 60528

      Phone: +466880739437

      Job: Future Retail Associate

      Hobby: Polo, Scouting, Worldbuilding, Cosplaying, Photography, Rowing, Nordic skating

      Introduction: My name is Velia Krajcik, I am a handsome, clean, lucky, gleaming, magnificent, proud, glorious person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.