Keyboard Shortcuts for Symbols ⌨️
Learn how to type special characters on Windows, Mac, and mobile devices. Or just click to copy!
Windows Shortcuts
Alt codes and key combinations for Windows
Mac Shortcuts
Option key combinations for macOS
Mobile Shortcuts
Long-press tricks for iPhone and Android
Knowing how to type special characters and symbols directly from your keyboard is a valuable skill that saves time and eliminates the need to search for and copy characters from websites. Whether you are writing professional documents, coding, communicating in multiple languages, or adding special symbols to social media posts, keyboard shortcuts provide the fastest path to the character you need.
This guide covers three platforms: Windows keyboard shortcuts using Alt codes and special key combinations, Mac keyboard shortcuts using the Option and Command keys, and mobile device techniques for accessing hidden characters on iPhone and Android. Each section lists the most commonly needed symbols along with the exact key combination to produce them.
On Windows, the primary method for typing special characters is the Alt code system: hold Alt and type a number on the numeric keypad. Windows 10 and 11 also offer the Win+. shortcut to open the emoji and symbol picker, and the Win+; shortcut for quick access to special characters. The Character Map application provides access to every Unicode character.
On Mac, the Option key (⌥) unlocks dozens of special characters. For example, Option+2 types €, Option+0 types °, and Option+Shift+K types the Apple logo . The Character Viewer (Control+Command+Space) gives access to the full Unicode range. Mac also supports accent marks through dead keys: type Option+e followed by a vowel to add an acute accent.
On mobile devices, special characters are accessible by long-pressing keys on the on-screen keyboard. Long-pressing the letter e reveals é, è, ê, ë, and ē. Long-pressing the dollar sign shows other currency symbols. Both iOS and Android support this long-press technique across their default keyboards.
Below you will find the most useful shortcuts organized by platform. You can memorize the ones you use most, or simply click any symbol to copy it instantly.
How to Type Special Characters
Find your platform
Choose Windows, Mac, or Mobile to see the shortcuts for your device. Each platform has its own method for typing special characters.
Use the keyboard shortcut
On Windows: Alt + number on numpad. On Mac: Option + key combination. On mobile: long-press the related key on your on-screen keyboard.
Or click to copy
If you prefer not to memorize shortcuts, simply click any symbol on this page to copy it to your clipboard, then paste with Ctrl+V or Cmd+V.
Keyboard Shortcuts FAQ
The most common method is Alt codes: enable Num Lock, hold the Alt key, type a number on the numeric keypad, then release Alt. For example, Alt+3 types ♥ and Alt+0169 types ©. You can also press Win+. to open the emoji and symbol picker in Windows 10/11.
Use the Option key (⌥) combined with other keys. For example, Option+2 types €, Option+Shift+2 types ™, and Option+0 types °. For accented letters, use dead keys: Option+e then a vowel for acute accent (é), Option+` then a vowel for grave accent (è). Press Control+Command+Space to open the Character Viewer for all Unicode symbols.
Long-press any key on your phone keyboard to see related special characters. For example, long-press 'e' to see é, è, ê, ë. Long-press '$' to see €, £, ¥, ₩. On iPhone, go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards to add language keyboards with additional characters.
Alt codes require the numeric keypad (numpad), which many laptops lack. Some laptops have a hidden numpad activated by the Fn key—check keys like J, K, L, U, I, O for small numpad numbers. Alternatively, use the Windows emoji picker (Win+.) or the on-screen keyboard, or copy symbols from this page.
On Windows: Alt+0176 on the numpad. On Mac: Option+Shift+8 or Option+0. On mobile: long-press the zero (0) key. The degree symbol is one of the most frequently searched shortcuts, commonly needed for temperatures and angles.
On Windows: Use Alt codes (Alt+0233 for é, Alt+0241 for ñ, Alt+0252 for ü) or the international keyboard layout. On Mac: Use dead keys—Option+e then e for é, Option+n then n for ñ, Option+u then u for ü. On mobile: long-press the base letter to see all accented variants.
No single shortcut system works across all platforms, which is why this page exists. However, copying and pasting Unicode characters works everywhere. Click any symbol on this page to copy it—the copied character works on Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, and any modern device.
On Windows: Alt+0169 on the numpad. On Mac: Option+G. On mobile: long-press may not show ©, so copy it from this page. In Microsoft Word, you can also type (c) and it will auto-correct to ©.