Keyboard Symbols Shortcuts: Type Special Characters on Any OS
Master keyboard shortcuts for typing @, #, ©, ®, ™, °, ±, ×, ÷ and dozens more special symbols.
Most people reach for copy-and-paste when they need a special character, but learning a few keyboard shortcuts can save significant time if you use these symbols regularly. This guide covers the most practical shortcuts across Windows, Mac, and Linux, organised by symbol category.
If you prefer the copy-paste approach, our Alt Codes reference page and Keyboard Symbols page let you copy any character with a single click.
Understanding the Three Systems
Windows Alt Codes
Windows uses Alt codes: hold the Alt key and type a numeric sequence on the number pad (not the top row). Num Lock must be on. Codes starting with 0 (like 0169 for ©) use the Windows-1252 character set, while codes without a leading zero (like 3 for ♥) use the older CP437 set.
Mac Option Key
Mac uses the Option (Alt) key combined with other keys. Some characters require Option + Shift. Accented letters use a two-step process: press an Option combo first (the "dead key"), then the base letter.
Linux Compose Key
Linux uses the Compose key (often mapped to Right Alt or Caps Lock). Press and release the Compose key, then type a memorable sequence. For example, Compose + o + c produces ©. You can also use Ctrl + Shift + U followed by the Unicode hex code in most GTK applications.
Legal & Business Symbols
| Symbol | Name | Windows | Mac | Linux Compose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| © | Copyright | Alt+0169 | Option+G | o c |
| ® | Registered | Alt+0174 | Option+R | o r |
| ™ | Trademark | Alt+0153 | Option+2 | t m |
| § | Section | Alt+0167 | Option+6 | s o |
| ¶ | Pilcrow | Alt+0182 | Option+7 | p ! |
| † | Dagger | Alt+0134 | Option+T | + + |
Currency Symbols
| Symbol | Name | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|---|
| € | Euro | Alt+0128 | Opt+Shift+2 |
| £ | Pound | Alt+0163 | Option+3 |
| ¥ | Yen | Alt+0165 | Option+Y |
| ¢ | Cent | Alt+0162 | Option+4 |
| ¤ | Currency | Alt+0164 | n/a |
For a full list of currency characters, see our Currency Symbols page.
Mathematical Symbols
| Symbol | Name | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|---|
| ° | Degree | Alt+0176 | Opt+Shift+8 |
| ± | Plus-minus | Alt+0177 | Opt+Shift+= |
| × | Multiplication | Alt+0215 | n/a |
| ÷ | Division | Alt+0247 | Option+/ |
| ≠ | Not equal | n/a | Option+= |
| ≤ | Less or equal | Alt+8804 | Option+, |
| ≥ | Greater or equal | Alt+8805 | Option+. |
| ∞ | Infinity | Alt+8734 | Option+5 |
| √ | Square root | Alt+251 | Option+V |
Punctuation & Typography
| Symbol | Name | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|---|
| — | Em dash | Alt+0151 | Opt+Shift+- |
| – | En dash | Alt+0150 | Option+- |
| … | Ellipsis | Alt+0133 | Option+; |
| « | Left guillemet | Alt+0171 | Opt+Backslash |
| » | Right guillemet | Alt+0187 | Opt+Shift+Backslash |
| u201C | Left double quote | Alt+0147 | Option+[ |
| u201D | Right double quote | Alt+0148 | Opt+Shift+[ |
| • | Bullet | Alt+0149 | Option+8 |
| ¡ | Inverted exclamation | Alt+0161 | Option+1 |
| ¿ | Inverted question | Alt+0168 | Opt+Shift+/ |
Tips for Remembering Shortcuts
- Start with the ones you use most. If you regularly type temperatures, memorise the degree symbol shortcut. If you write legal text, learn ©, ®, and ™ first.
- Mac shortcuts are often mnemonic. Option+G for copyright (think "G" for "rights granted"), Option+R for registered, Option+2 for trademark (TM has 2 letters).
- Create a cheat sheet. Write down the 5-10 symbols you use most frequently and keep it near your desk until they become muscle memory.
- Use the copy-paste method for rare symbols. There is no need to memorise Alt codes for characters you use once a month — bookmark our symbols reference instead.
When Shortcuts Are Not Enough
Keyboard shortcuts cover the most common special characters, but there are over 150,000 Unicode characters in total. For symbols beyond what shortcuts can reach, consider these approaches:
- Copy and paste from our symbol pages
- Text replacement — set up autocorrect rules (e.g. type "degr" and have it replaced with °)
- Unicode input — type the hex code directly on Linux or in specific applications
- Character map applications — built into every major operating system