Find verified keyboard shortcuts and input methods for typing symbols, currency, accents, and Unicode characters across Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Type symbols using numeric keypad Alt codes, the Win + . emoji and symbol panel, or Microsoft Office Alt+X.
Type special characters using Option-key combinations, dead-key accent sequences, and the Character Viewer.
Enter Unicode characters using the Compose key, GTK Ctrl + Shift + U hexadecimal sequences, or desktop pickers.
Verified keystrokes across Windows, macOS, and Linux for the most frequently needed characters.
| Symbol | Name & Code Point | Windows | macOS (US) | Linux | Copy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| © | Copyright Sign U+00A9 |
Alt + 0169
Numeric Keypad
Alt: Win + . (Symbols)
|
Option + G
US Layout
Alt: Ctrl + Cmd + Space
|
Compose → c o
Compose Key
Alt: Ctrl + Shift + U 00A9
|
|
| ® | Registered Sign U+00AE |
Alt + 0174
Numeric Keypad
Alt: Win + . (Symbols)
|
Option + R
US Layout
Alt: Ctrl + Cmd + Space
|
Compose → o r
Compose Key
Alt: Ctrl + Shift + U 00AE
|
|
| ™ | Trademark Sign U+2122 |
Alt + 0153
Numeric Keypad
Alt: Win + . (Symbols)
|
Option + 2
US Layout
Alt: Ctrl + Cmd + Space
|
Compose → t m
Compose Key
Alt: Ctrl + Shift + U 2122
|
|
| § | Section Sign U+00A7 |
Alt + 0167
Numeric Keypad
Alt: Alt + 21 (CP437 Numpad)
|
Option + 6
US Layout
Alt: Ctrl + Cmd + Space
|
Compose → s o
Compose Key
Alt: Ctrl + Shift + U 00A7
|
|
| ¶ | Pilcrow Sign U+00B6 |
Alt + 0182
Numeric Keypad
Alt: Alt + 20 (CP437 Numpad)
|
Option + 7
US Layout
Alt: Ctrl + Cmd + Space
|
Compose → p !
Compose Key
Alt: Ctrl + Shift + U 00B6
|
| Symbol | Name & Code Point | Windows | macOS (US) | Linux | Copy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| € | Euro Sign U+20AC |
Alt + 0128
Numeric Keypad
Alt: Win + . (Currency)
|
Option + Shift + 2
US Layout
Alt: Option + 2 (UK Layout)
|
Compose → = e
Compose Key
Alt: Ctrl + Shift + U 20AC
|
|
| £ | Pound Sign U+00A3 |
Alt + 0163
Numeric Keypad
Alt: Alt + 156 (OEM CP437)
|
Option + 3
US Layout
Alt: Shift + 3 (UK Layout)
|
Compose → - l
Compose Key
Alt: Ctrl + Shift + U 00A3
|
|
| ¥ | Yen Sign U+00A5 |
Alt + 0165
Numeric Keypad
Alt: Alt + 157 (OEM CP437)
|
Option + Y
US Layout
Alt: Ctrl + Cmd + Space
|
Compose → - y
Compose Key
Alt: Ctrl + Shift + U 00A5
|
| Symbol | Name & Code Point | Windows | macOS (US) | Linux | Copy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | Em Dash U+2014 |
Alt + 0151
Numeric Keypad
Alt: Ctrl + Alt + - (Word Numpad)
|
Option + Shift + -
Standard Layout
Alt: Ctrl + Cmd + Space
|
Compose → - - -
Compose Key
Alt: Ctrl + Shift + U 2014
|
|
| – | En Dash U+2013 |
Alt + 0150
Numeric Keypad
Alt: Ctrl + - (Word Numpad)
|
Option + -
Standard Layout
Alt: Ctrl + Cmd + Space
|
Compose → - - .
Compose Key
Alt: Ctrl + Shift + U 2013
|
|
| • | Bullet U+2022 |
Alt + 0149
Numeric Keypad
Alt: Alt + 7 (CP437 Numpad)
|
Option + 8
US Layout
Alt: Ctrl + Cmd + Space
|
Compose → . =
Compose Key
Alt: Ctrl + Shift + U 2022
|
| Symbol | Name & Code Point | Windows | macOS (US) | Linux | Copy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ° | Degree Sign U+00B0 |
Alt + 0176
Numeric Keypad
Alt: Alt + 248 (CP437 Numpad)
|
Option + Shift + 8
US Layout
Alt: Ctrl + Cmd + Space
|
Compose → o o
Compose Key
Alt: Ctrl + Shift + U 00B0
|
|
| ± | Plus-Minus Sign U+00B1 |
Alt + 0177
Numeric Keypad
Alt: Alt + 241 (CP437 Numpad)
|
Option + Shift + =
US Layout
Alt: Ctrl + Cmd + Space
|
Compose → + -
Compose Key
Alt: Ctrl + Shift + U 00B1
|
|
| ÷ | Division Sign U+00F7 |
Alt + 0247
Numeric Keypad
Alt: Alt + 246 (CP437 Numpad)
|
Option + /
US Layout
Alt: Ctrl + Cmd + Space
|
Compose → : -
Compose Key
Alt: Ctrl + Shift + U 00F7
|
|
| × | Multiplication Sign U+00D7 |
Alt + 0215
Numeric Keypad
Alt: Win + . (Math Symbols)
|
Ctrl + Cmd + Space
Viewer Palette
Alt: Character Viewer
|
Compose → x x
Compose Key
Alt: Ctrl + Shift + U 00D7
|
|
| ∞ | Infinity U+221E |
Alt + 236
Numeric Keypad
Alt: 221E + Alt+X in Word
|
Option + 5
US Layout
Alt: Ctrl + Cmd + Space
|
Compose → 8 8
Compose Key
Alt: Ctrl + Shift + U 221E
|
| Symbol | Name & Code Point | Windows | macOS (US) | Linux | Copy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| é | Latin Small Letter E with Acute U+00E9 |
Alt + 0233
Numeric Keypad
Alt: Alt + 130 (CP437 Numpad)
|
Option + e → e
Standard Mac
Alt: Press and hold e
|
Compose → ' e
Compose Key
Alt: Ctrl + Shift + U 00E9
|
|
| ñ | Latin Small Letter N with Tilde U+00F1 |
Alt + 0241
Numeric Keypad
Alt: Alt + 164 (CP437 Numpad)
|
Option + n → n
Standard Mac
Alt: Press and hold n
|
Compose → ~ n
Compose Key
Alt: Ctrl + Shift + U 00F1
|
|
| ü | Latin Small Letter U with Diaeresis U+00FC |
Alt + 0252
Numeric Keypad
Alt: Alt + 129 (CP437 Numpad)
|
Option + u → u
Standard Mac
Alt: Press and hold u
|
Compose → " u
Compose Key
Alt: Ctrl + Shift + U 00FC
|
| Symbol | Name & Code Point | Windows | macOS (US) | Linux | Copy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 😀 | Grinning Face U+1F600 |
Win + .
Windows 10/11
Alt: Win + ; (Semicolon)
|
Globe or Ctrl + Cmd + Space
Standard Mac
Alt: Character Viewer
|
Ctrl + . (GNOME) or Characters App
GNOME Desktop
Alt: GNOME Characters
|
|
| ✓ | Check Mark U+2713 |
Win + . (Symbols → General)
Symbol Panel
Alt: 2713 + Alt+X in Word
|
Ctrl + Cmd + Space
Viewer Palette
Alt: One-click copy below
|
Ctrl + Shift + U 2713
GTK Environment
Alt: One-click copy below
|
Compare the primary ways to enter symbols on each operating system, including hardware prerequisites and application boundaries.
Hold Alt and type the numeric code on the dedicated 10-key numeric keypad with Num Lock enabled.
Alt + [Numbers]
Press Win + . (or Win + ;) to open the built-in Windows 10/11 symbol and emoji picker.
Win + .
Type the 4-digit hexadecimal Unicode code point and immediately press Alt + X to toggle character conversion.
[Hex Code] + Alt + X
Run charmap to visually browse all font glyphs and copy directly to the clipboard.
Win + R → charmap
Hold Option (or Option + Shift) and press the mapped character key on standard US/ABC layout.
Option + [Key]
Press Globe key or Ctrl + Cmd + Space to open the macOS Emoji & Symbols palette.
Ctrl + Cmd + Space
Press and release the configured Compose key, then type a standard two-key mnemonic combination.
Compose → [Key] [Key]
Press Ctrl + Shift + U, type the hexadecimal code point, and press Enter or Space.
Ctrl + Shift + U [Hex] Enter
Need a symbol without memorizing keys? Click to copy or inspect Unicode specifications directly.
Understanding why some keystrokes fail on specific hardware or inside non-supported applications.
Classic Windows Alt codes (e.g. Alt + 0169) require a physical 10-key numeric keypad with Num Lock active. They do not work with number keys above the main letter row. If your laptop lacks a numeric keypad, press Win + . to open the system symbol panel or click Copy.
Typing a hexadecimal code followed by Alt+X (e.g. 20AC then Alt+X for €) is an application-specific feature of Microsoft Word, WordPad, and Outlook rich text. It is not an operating-system-wide shortcut and will not work in web browsers, Slack, or code editors.
The macOS Option-key combinations shown in this reference correspond to the standard US / ABC keyboard layout. Key assignments differ on British (e.g. Option + 2 is Euro on British layout), French AZERTY, German QWERTZ, and other national keyboard layouts.
The Ctrl + Shift + U hex input sequence is native to GTK-based applications (GNOME, Firefox, LibreOffice, Chrome on Linux). For cross-desktop uniformity in both GTK and Qt environments, configuring a dedicated Compose key (e.g. Right Alt) in your desktop settings is recommended.
Explore operating system guides and developer references for in-depth character encoding information.
Detailed step-by-step shortcuts, dead keys, and character map setup for Windows.
Detailed step-by-step shortcuts, dead keys, and character map setup for macOS.
Detailed step-by-step shortcuts, dead keys, and character map setup for Linux.
Comprehensive 1-4 digit Alt code charts for Windows.
Named, decimal, and hex entities for web developers.
How UTF-8, code points, and glyphs work across modern systems.