Alt Code Symbols: Full List and How to Use Alt Codes

How to Type Alt Code Symbols on Windows

1. Turn on Num Lock (the light on the keyboard should glow).
2. Click where you want the symbol.
3. Press and hold the left Alt key.
4. Type the number using the numeric keypad on the right, not the number row above the letters.
5. Let go of Alt. The symbol appears.

Example: hold Alt, type 0169 on the keypad, release, and you get ©. If nothing appears, check Num Lock and make sure you used the keypad keys.

Two Kinds of Alt Codes: Alt+1 to 255 and Alt+0128 to 0255

Windows understands two old character tables, so some symbols have two codes.

• Codes without a leading zero (Alt+1 to Alt+255) come from the old DOS table, called code page 437. This is where fun symbols like ☺ (Alt+1), ♥ (Alt+3) and → (Alt+26) live.
• Codes with a leading zero (Alt+0128 to Alt+0255) come from the Windows-1252 table. Symbols like € (Alt+0128), © (Alt+0169) and ™ (Alt+0153) are here.

The zero matters. Alt+248 gives °, but Alt+0248 gives ø, a totally different letter. Results can also differ a little between apps, because some programs handle the DOS codes in their own way. When a code gives the wrong result, try its other version if it has one.

No Number Pad? Alt Codes on a Laptop

Many laptops have no separate numeric keypad. You still have options:

• Fn overlay keypad: some laptops print small numbers on the letter keys (on U, I, O, J, K, L and others). Turn it on with the Num Lk key (often pressed together with Fn), then hold Alt and type. The exact keys depend on the brand, so check your laptop manual.
• Word method: in Microsoft Word, type the Unicode code and press Alt+X. Typing 00B0 then Alt+X gives °. This works for almost any symbol, even ones with no Alt code.
• Emoji and symbol panel: press Windows+. and open the symbols tab.
• Insert > Symbol in Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Copy and paste from this site.

Alt Codes List: Most Useful Symbols

These tables come from the standard DOS and Windows-1252 charts. Where a symbol has two codes, both are shown. Click a name to open that symbol's full page.

Currency symbols

Maths and science symbols

Greek letters

Punctuation and writing

Legal and business

Fun symbols, arrows and shapes

The em dash (long dash) uses Alt+0151; see the dash symbol page to copy it.

Degree, Plus-Minus, Diameter and Rupee Symbol Alt Code

These four are the codes people search for most.

• Degree symbol alt code: Alt+0176 or Alt+248 gives °. Use it for 37 °C or a 90° angle. More on the degree symbol page.
• Plus minus symbol alt code: Alt+0177 or Alt+241 gives ±, as in 5 ± 0.1 mm.
• Diameter symbol alt code: there is no Alt code for the true diameter sign ⌀. Most people use Ø (Alt+0216), which looks very similar, in drawings and notes like Ø 25 mm. See the diameter symbol page.
• Rupee symbol alt code: the ₹ sign has no standard Alt code, because it was added long after these tables were made. In Word, type 20B9 then Alt+X. If you add the English (India) keyboard layout in Windows, Ctrl+Alt+4 or Right Alt+4 also works. Full steps are in the rupee symbol in keyboard guide.

Mac Option Key Shortcuts

Macs do not use Alt codes. Instead, hold the Option key (sometimes marked Alt) and press another key. Add Shift where shown. These shortcuts are for the standard US English layout.

For anything else, press Control+Command+Space to open the Character Viewer and search by name.

Alt Codes on Phones

Phones do not support Alt codes. On most Android keyboards, tap ?123 and then =\< to see extra symbols like °, ± and ©. Long-press keys for variants: long-pressing the 0 key often shows °. On iPhone, tap 123 and then #+=. For anything you cannot find, copy it from this site. Our symbol names list helps you find a sign when you only know what it looks like.