How to Type Square Brackets []
Keyboard shortcuts for Windows, Mac, Chromebook, iPhone & Android. Type or copy all bracket types instantly.
Brackets & Parentheses to Copy
Click any bracket to copy instantly
Square brackets [ ] are essential in programming, mathematics, linguistics, and everyday writing. They're used for arrays in code, citations in academic writing, phonetic transcriptions, and optional elements in documentation.
On US and UK keyboards, square brackets have dedicated keys. But on German (QWERTZ) and many international keyboards, they require special key combinations — AltGr+8 for [ and AltGr+9 for ] — which can be frustrating to discover.
This guide covers square brackets and all related bracket types across every major platform. Whether you're writing code, editing an academic paper, or formatting text, you'll find the right method for your device below. All bracket characters on this page are Unicode text that works everywhere.
Square Brackets FAQ
The alt code for the left square bracket [ is Alt+91. For the right square bracket ] it's Alt+93. Hold Alt, type the number on the numeric keypad, then release. For curly brackets: Alt+123 for { and Alt+125 for }. Num Lock must be enabled.
On a German QWERTZ keyboard, press AltGr+8 for [ and AltGr+9 for ]. AltGr is the right Alt key. For curly brackets, press AltGr+7 for { and AltGr+0 for }. On German Mac keyboards, use Option+5 for [ and Option+6 for ].
Square brackets [] are used for arrays in programming, optional items in documentation, and editorial comments in quotes. Curly brackets {} (braces) define code blocks, objects, and sets. Parentheses () group expressions, contain supplementary information, and define function parameters. In math, they follow the nesting order: {[()]}.
On US/UK Mac keyboards, press the [ and ] keys directly (to the right of P). On German Mac keyboards: press Option+5 for [ and Option+6 for ]. For curly brackets: Option+8 for { and Option+9 for }.
Square brackets are fundamental in programming: array indexing (arr[0]), list definitions in Python ([1, 2, 3]), object property access in JavaScript (obj['key']), regex character classes ([a-z]), and JSON arrays. They're one of the most frequently typed characters in code.
Yes! Unicode offers many decorative bracket styles that work on all platforms: 【title】for emphasis, ⟦text⟧ for mathematical notation, and ⟨angle brackets⟩ for linguistic or technical writing. All bracket characters on this page are Unicode text that displays correctly everywhere.