How to Type Hash Symbol # (Pound / Number Sign)
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The hash symbol # goes by many names: pound sign, number sign, octothorpe, or hashtag symbol. It's one of the most frequently used characters in modern digital communication — from social media hashtags to programming languages, Markdown headings, and phone menus.
On most US and UK keyboards, # is easy to find. But on many international keyboard layouts (German, French, Spanish), the hash key is hidden behind modifier keys or missing entirely. This guide covers how to type # on every major platform and keyboard layout.
Whether you need # for a hashtag, a code comment, a numbered list, or a phone menu, you'll find the right method below. All symbols on this page are standard Unicode characters that work everywhere.
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Hash Symbol # FAQ
They all refer to the same symbol: #. "Number sign" is the official Unicode name (U+0023). "Hash" is common in British English and computing. "Pound sign" is used in American English (not to be confused with £). "Octothorpe" is the technical telecommunications term. In social media, it's simply called the "hashtag symbol."
On German (QWERTZ) keyboards, the # key is located to the right of the Ä key, next to Enter. Just press it directly — no modifier key needed. On a German Mac keyboard, press Option+3 (Alt+3).
The alt code for # is Alt+35. Hold the Alt key, type 35 on the numeric keypad (not the top row), then release Alt. Make sure Num Lock is enabled. The Unicode code point is U+0023.
In American English, # has historically been called the "pound sign" because it was used as an abbreviation for pounds (weight) in handwritten notes — e.g., "5# of sugar" meant "5 pounds of sugar." This predates the hashtag usage by over a century. It should not be confused with the British pound sterling symbol £.
The number sign # (U+0023) has horizontal strokes that are horizontal or slightly slanted. The music sharp ♯ (U+266F) has vertical strokes that are vertical and horizontal strokes that slant upward. In music typography, ♯ is the correct symbol, but # is commonly used as a substitute because it's on standard keyboards.
Yes! The standard # (U+0023) is the correct symbol for hashtags on all platforms: Instagram, Twitter/X, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok, and more. Do not use the fullwidth ＃ or the music sharp ♯ — only the standard # will create a clickable hashtag.