Hashtag Symbol Copy and Paste (#)
Hash (number sign)
Unicode U+0023 · HTML # · Alt code Alt+35
Tap any symbol to copy it. Each tap also adds it to the box above, so you can copy several together.
Codes for every symbol on this page (Unicode, HTML, emoji version)
| Symbol | Name | Unicode | HTML | Emoji version | Windows Alt code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | Hash (number sign) | U+0023 | # | - | Alt+35 |
| ＃ | Fullwidth hash | U+FF03 | ＃ | - | - |
| ♯ | Music sharp | U+266F | ♯ | - | - |
| ⌗ | Viewdata square | U+2317 | ⌗ | - | - |
| #️⃣ | Keycap hash emoji | U+0023 U+FE0F U+20E3 | #️⃣ | 1.0 | - |
The hashtag symbol # is made of two horizontal lines crossed by two slanting lines. In India it is usually called hash or hashtag; it is also known as the number sign, the pound sign (in the USA) and, playfully, the octothorpe.
For a quick hashtag symbol copy (or hash symbol copy, same thing), tap the box above. The grid also has the keycap emoji #️⃣, the fullwidth ＃ and the music sharp ♯, which looks similar but is a different character. Read on for what # means in different places and how to type it.
Names of the Hash Symbol
| Name | Where you hear it |
|---|---|
| Hash | India, UK and most of the world; "press the hash key" |
| Hashtag | Social media; strictly, a hashtag is # plus a word, like #DiwaliVibes |
| Number sign | The official Unicode name; "Room #12" |
| Pound sign | USA, especially on phone menus ("press pound") |
| Octothorpe | A rare, playful name used by printers and engineers |
In the UK, "pound sign" means the currency sign £ instead, so stick with "hash" there. The octothorpe symbol and the hash symbol are the same character, U+0023.
What Does the Hashtag Symbol Mean? Uses With Examples
| Use | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Social media hashtags | #IndianFood, #ExamTips | Groups posts on one topic so people can find them |
| Number or rank | #1 bestseller, Flat #304 | "number" |
| Phone keypad | Dial *123# to check balance | Ends or confirms a code |
| Colour codes in web design | #FF9933 (saffron) | Starts a hex colour code |
| Code comments | # add marks | A note the computer ignores |
| Headings in Markdown | # Chapter 1 | Big heading |
| Excel error | #VALUE!, #DIV/0! | The formula has a problem |
A hashtag works best with no spaces and no punctuation inside: #MumbaiRains, not #Mumbai Rains. Use capital letters at the start of each word so people can read it easily. The hash sign also teams up with the at the rate symbol, which tags people while # tags topics.
Hash Symbol in Keyboard: How to Type #
- Indian / US layout (Windows and Mac): press Shift+3.
- UK layout: # has its own key near Enter, because Shift+3 types £ there. If you get £, change the keyboard to US or English (India) in Settings.
- Alt code: Alt+35 on the numeric keypad, Num Lock on.
- Word: type 0023 and press Alt+X.
- Android: on most Android keyboards, # is on the ?123 page.
- iPhone: tap 123, then #+=; # is in the top row.
The hash key symbol on a phone dial pad is the bottom-right key, next to 0. For the emoji version #️⃣, use your emoji keyboard or the Windows emoji panel (Windows+.), or copy it from the grid.
Hash vs Music Sharp ♯ and Other Look-Alikes
| Symbol | Name | How to tell |
|---|---|---|
| # | Hash / number sign | Horizontal lines flat, upright lines slanted |
| ♯ | Music sharp sign | Upright lines straight, cross lines slanted upward; raises a note by a semitone, as in C♯ |
| ＃ | Fullwidth number sign | Wider, for Chinese and Japanese text |
| ⌗ | Viewdata square | An old technical character, rarely used today |
| #️⃣ | Keycap number sign emoji | # inside a key shape, shown in colour |
Only the plain # works as a hashtag. A hashtag typed with ♯ or ＃ will not link on social media. For more music signs, see our music symbols page.
Common Mistakes With the # Symbol
- Writing "#" and "no." together, like "# no. 5". Use one: #5 or No. 5.
- Putting a space after # in a hashtag. "# travel" will not work; write #travel.
- Using too many hashtags in one formal post. Two or three clear tags read better than ten.
- Thinking your data is lost when Excel shows #####. It only means the column is too narrow; widen it to see the number.
The hash is part of the keyboard family covered on our punctuation marks page. Also see the asterisk symbol, its neighbour on the phone keypad.
Frequently asked questions
What is the symbol of hashtag called?
The # sign is called hash, hashtag, number sign or, in the USA, pound sign. Its formal nickname is octothorpe. A "hashtag" is really the # plus a word, like #Cricket.
Why do people type #symbol in search?
Many people type "#symbol" when they want to copy the hash sign or learn its name. You can copy it from the box at the top of this page in one tap.
Is the hash symbol the same as the sharp sign?
No. They look alike, but the music sharp ♯ is a different character used in music notes. Use # for hashtags, numbers and phone codes.
Why is # called the pound sign?
In the USA, # was long used after a number to mean pounds of weight, as in 5# for five pounds. That is why American phone menus say "press pound".
How do I type the hash symbol on a laptop?
On Indian and US layout laptops, press Shift+3. If that gives £, your keyboard is set to UK layout; use the separate # key near Enter or switch the layout.