How to Type Symbols Using the ALT Key
Type currency symbols., Type mathematics symbols., Type special punctuation and editing symbols., Type musical notation., Type other miscellaneous symbols.
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Type currency symbols.
Hold Alt and type the number below using the numeric pad on your keyboard.
When you release Alt, the symbol will appear.
NumLock must be enabled.Symbol Name Code € Euro 0128 £ Pound 156 ¢ Cent 155 ¥ Yen 157 ƒ Florin 159 ¤ Currency 0164 -
Step 2: Type mathematics symbols.
Hold Alt and type the number below using the numeric pad on your keyboard to insert mathematics symbols.
When you release the Alt key, the symbol will appear.
NumLock needs to be enabled.Symbol Name Code ÷ Division (Obelus) 246 × Multiplication 0215 ± Plus or minus 0177 ≈ Approximate 247 √ Square root 251 ⁿ Power n 252 ² Squared 253 ¼ Quarter 0188 ½ Half 0189 ¾ Three quarters 0190 ∞ Infinity 236 ≥ Greater than or equal 242 ≤ Less than or equal 243 π Pi 227 ° Degree 248 , Hold Alt and use the numeric pad to enter the number below to create special punctuation symbols.
When you let go of the Alt, the symbol will be inserted.
NumLock must be enabled.Symbol Name Code ¡ Inverted exclamation 173 ¿ Inverted question 168 § Section 21 ¶ Paragraph 20 © Copyright 0169 ® Registered 0174 ™ Trademark 0153 † Dagger 0134 ‡ Double dagger 0135 – En dash 0150 — Em dash 0151
• Bullet 0149 , Hold the Alt key and enter the number below using the numeric pad on your keyboard.
When you release Alt, the musical symbol will appear.
NumLock must be enabled for these to work.
Symbols with codes between 9000 and 9999 rely on certain fonts, and may not work everywhere. Symbol Name Code ♪ Quarter note 13 ♫ Eighth note 14 ♬ Sixteenth note 9836 ♭ Flat 9837 ♮ Natural 9838 ♯ Sharp 9839 , Hold Alt and type the number below with the numeric pad.
When you release Alt, the symbol will appear.
NumLock has to be on.Symbol Name Code ☺ Smiley 1 ☻ Black Smiley 2 ♥ Heart 3 ♦ Diamond 4 ♣ Club 5 ♠ Spade 6 ♂ Male 11 ♀ Female 12 ↑ Up arrow 24 ↓ Down arrow 25 → Right arrow 26 ← Left arrow 27 ☼ Sun 15 ⌂ Home 127 -
Step 3: Type special punctuation and editing symbols.
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Step 4: Type musical notation.
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Step 5: Type other miscellaneous symbols.
Detailed Guide
Hold Alt and type the number below using the numeric pad on your keyboard.
When you release Alt, the symbol will appear.
NumLock must be enabled.Symbol Name Code € Euro 0128 £ Pound 156 ¢ Cent 155 ¥ Yen 157 ƒ Florin 159 ¤ Currency 0164
Hold Alt and type the number below using the numeric pad on your keyboard to insert mathematics symbols.
When you release the Alt key, the symbol will appear.
NumLock needs to be enabled.Symbol Name Code ÷ Division (Obelus) 246 × Multiplication 0215 ± Plus or minus 0177 ≈ Approximate 247 √ Square root 251 ⁿ Power n 252 ² Squared 253 ¼ Quarter 0188 ½ Half 0189 ¾ Three quarters 0190 ∞ Infinity 236 ≥ Greater than or equal 242 ≤ Less than or equal 243 π Pi 227 ° Degree 248 , Hold Alt and use the numeric pad to enter the number below to create special punctuation symbols.
When you let go of the Alt, the symbol will be inserted.
NumLock must be enabled.Symbol Name Code ¡ Inverted exclamation 173 ¿ Inverted question 168 § Section 21 ¶ Paragraph 20 © Copyright 0169 ® Registered 0174 ™ Trademark 0153 † Dagger 0134 ‡ Double dagger 0135 – En dash 0150 — Em dash 0151
• Bullet 0149 , Hold the Alt key and enter the number below using the numeric pad on your keyboard.
When you release Alt, the musical symbol will appear.
NumLock must be enabled for these to work.
Symbols with codes between 9000 and 9999 rely on certain fonts, and may not work everywhere. Symbol Name Code ♪ Quarter note 13 ♫ Eighth note 14 ♬ Sixteenth note 9836 ♭ Flat 9837 ♮ Natural 9838 ♯ Sharp 9839 , Hold Alt and type the number below with the numeric pad.
When you release Alt, the symbol will appear.
NumLock has to be on.Symbol Name Code ☺ Smiley 1 ☻ Black Smiley 2 ♥ Heart 3 ♦ Diamond 4 ♣ Club 5 ♠ Spade 6 ♂ Male 11 ♀ Female 12 ↑ Up arrow 24 ↓ Down arrow 25 → Right arrow 26 ← Left arrow 27 ☼ Sun 15 ⌂ Home 127
About the Author
Dorothy Taylor
Specializes in breaking down complex organization topics into simple steps.
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