Tilde Symbol Copy and Paste (~)
Tilde (keyboard)
Unicode U+007E · HTML ~ · Alt code Alt+126
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, Alt, Mac, Word)
| Symbol | Name | Unicode | HTML | Windows Alt code | Mac | MS Word |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ~ | Tilde (keyboard) | U+007E | ~ | Alt+126 | - | 007E then Alt+X |
| ˜ | Small tilde | U+02DC | ˜ | Alt+0152 | - | 02DC then Alt+X |
| ∼ | Tilde operator | U+223C | ∼ | - | - | 223C then Alt+X |
| 〜 | Wave dash | U+301C | 〜 | - | - | 301C then Alt+X |
| ～ | Fullwidth tilde | U+FF5E | ～ | - | - | FF5E then Alt+X |
| ñ | n with tilde | U+00F1 | ñ | Alt+164, Alt+0241 | - | 00F1 then Alt+X |
| õ | o with tilde | U+00F5 | õ | Alt+0245 | - | 00F5 then Alt+X |
The tilde symbol (~) is the small wavy line found on the top-left key of most keyboards, just below Esc. It is said as TIL-duh, and many people simply call it the wave symbol because of its shape.
Copy the keyboard ~ from the box above, or tap the grid for related marks: the small tilde ˜, the maths tilde operator ∼, the Japanese wave dash 〜 and the letters ñ and õ. The Download PNG button saves a transparent image. Below you will learn what the ~ symbol means in maths, computers, chats and languages, and how to type it everywhere.
What Does the ~ Symbol Mean?
| Where | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Informal writing | ~50 students | About or roughly 50 |
| Maths | x ∼ y | Is similar to, or is related to (depends on the topic) |
| Electricity and meters | 230 V ~ | Alternating current (AC), drawn like a single sine wave |
| Linux and Mac terminals | cd ~/Documents | ~ is short for your home folder |
| ~cancelled~ | Text between two tildes shows with a line through it | |
| Spanish and Portuguese | año, lições | An accent on letters: ñ is a separate letter in Spanish |
| Japanese | 10時〜12時 | The wave dash 〜 shows a range, "from ... to" |
| Names and bios | ~Riya~ | Decoration |
In exams and reports, do not use ~ for "approximately". Use the proper ≈ sign, which is explained on the approximately equal symbol page, or simply write "about".
Where Is the Tilde Symbol on Keyboard?
On most Indian and US laptops, the tilde shares the key with the backtick ` at the top-left, below Esc and left of 1.
- Windows and Mac: press Shift+`. Without Shift, the same key types the backtick.
- Alt codes on Windows: Alt+126 for ~, Alt+0152 for ˜, Alt+164 or Alt+0241 for ñ, and Alt+0245 for õ. Use the number pad with Num Lock on.
- Mac accents: press and hold N or O in most apps and pick ñ or õ from the pop-up.
- Word: type the code then Alt+X: 223C for ∼, 301C for 〜, 00F1 for ñ.
- Google Docs: Insert > Special characters, search "tilde".
- Android: on most Android keyboards, tap ?123 then =\< to find ~. Long-press n for ñ.
- iPhone: tap 123, then #+=. Long-press n for ñ.
On some UK and European keyboard layouts, ~ sits near the Enter key instead. If Shift+` types something else, check your layout in Windows Settings > Time & language > Language & region.
Tilde vs Wave Dash vs Sine Wave Symbol
Several wavy marks look alike but are different characters:
- ~ Tilde: the everyday keyboard character.
- ˜ Small tilde: a raised version, mostly used as a separate accent mark.
- ∼ Tilde operator: the maths sign, wider and centred on the line.
- 〜 Wave dash and ～ fullwidth tilde: for Chinese and Japanese text.
- Sine wave symbol: in electronics, AC is often marked with ~ because it looks like one cycle of a sine wave. Plugs, chargers and multimeters print "AC ~" or "V~".
Do not confuse the tilde with the hyphen or dash, which are straight. Those are on our hyphen symbol and dash symbol pages.
Tilde Examples You Can Use
- Travel note: The drive to Udaipur takes ~4 hours. (casual)
- Formal version: The drive takes about 4 hours.
- Computer: Save the file in ~/Downloads.
- Spanish word: mañana (tomorrow), written with ñ.
- Chat: Meeting at 3 pm ~moved to 4 pm~
Want more keyboard marks explained? Browse the punctuation marks guide or the full symbol names list.
Frequently asked questions
What is the ~ symbol called?
It is called a tilde. Many people call it a wave symbol or squiggle. In computer manuals it is always written as tilde.
How do I type the tilde symbol on a laptop?
Hold Shift and press the key below Esc, to the left of 1. If your laptop has no number pad, this is easier than the Alt code.
What does ~ mean before a number?
It means "about" or "approximately", as in ~200 km. It is informal; in maths and science write ≈ or the word "about".
How do I type ñ on a keyboard?
On Windows, use Alt+164 or Alt+0241. On Mac or a phone, press and hold the n key and choose ñ. In Word, type 00F1 then press Alt+X.
What does ~ mean on a charger or appliance?
It shows alternating current (AC), the kind of power that comes from wall sockets. A straight line with dashes below it is used for direct current (DC).