Underscore Symbol Copy and Paste (_)
Underscore (low line)
Unicode U+005F · HTML _ · Alt code Alt+95
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| _ | Underscore (low line) | U+005F | _ | Alt+95 | - | 005F then Alt+X |
| ＿ | Fullwidth underscore | U+FF3F | ＿ | - | - | FF3F then Alt+X |
| ‗ | Double low line | U+2017 | ‗ | - | - | 2017 then Alt+X |
| ̲ | Combining underline | U+0332 | ̲ | - | - | 0332 then Alt+X |
The underscore symbol _ is a short line that sits on the bottom of the text line, unlike the hyphen which floats in the middle. Its official Unicode name is "low line".
Tap the copy box above for an instant underscore symbol copy as plain underscore symbol text, or pick the double low line ‗ or fullwidth ＿ from the grid. This page shows what the underscore is used for, where it is on a laptop keyboard and phone, and a few handy tricks.
What Is the Underscore Symbol Used For?
The symbol of underscore is mainly a computer character. It lets you join words where spaces are not allowed.
| Use | Example |
|---|---|
| Usernames and social handles | raj_kumar, the_chai_corner |
| Email addresses | neha_iyer@example.com |
| File names | marksheet_class10_final.pdf |
| Programming names (snake_case) | total_marks = 450 |
| Blank lines in forms and worksheets | Name: ____________ Date: ________ |
| Italic text in some chat apps | _very important_ shows as very important |
On old typewriters, people typed text and then went back over it with underscores to underline it. That is how the key got its name.
In an email address, the underscore can be hard to see when the address is underlined as a link. Read it out as "underscore" so the other person does not type a space or hyphen.
_ Meaning in Chat: What -_- and ._. Faces Mean
When someone sends a face made with underscores, the _ meaning in text is a mood, not a word. In each _ face, the underscore is the mouth and the characters on both sides are the eyes. Read it upright, not sideways.
| Face | Usual meaning |
|---|---|
| -_- | Annoyed, unimpressed, bored or sleepy (flat, closed eyes) |
| ._. | Awkward, shy, confused, a small "umm" |
| ^_^ | Happy, cute smile |
| T_T | Crying, very sad |
| >_< | Embarrassed or frustrated, eyes squeezed shut |
| o_O | Shocked or confused |
| ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ | A shrug: "no idea" or "what to do" |
So the _ meaning depends on the face around it. "Exam postponed again -_-" shows irritation, while "Hi ._." sounds shy. A lone _ sent in a chat often just means the person was lost for words. Some people type underscores symbol-by-symbol as blanks in word games: _ _ _ _ _ means "guess this five-letter word".
The _ meaning in English is simply "underscore" or "low line". For more faces like these, see our text emoticons page and the emoji hub, or the smiley symbols page for ^_^ and friends.
Underscore Symbol in Keyboard: Laptop and PC
On Indian and US layout keyboards, the underscore symbol on keyboard rows shares the key with the hyphen, just right of 0.
- Hold Shift.
- Press the - key.
- Release both. You get _.
Other methods:
- Alt code: Alt+95 on the numeric keypad with Num Lock on.
- Mac: Shift+-, the same as Windows.
- Word: type 005F then press Alt+X.
- Google Docs: Insert > Special characters, search "low line".
Press the key without Shift and you get the hyphen symbol instead.
Underscore Symbol in Mobile: Android and iPhone
- Android: on most Android keyboards, tap ?123. If you do not see _ on the first page, tap =\< to open the second symbols page. Some keyboards also show it when you long-press the hyphen.
- iPhone: tap 123, then #+=. The underscore is in the middle row.
- Any phone: tap the copy box on this page and paste it where you need it.
Underscore Tricks in Word and Chat
- Quick line in Word: type three underscores ___ on an empty line and press Enter. Word's AutoFormat turns it into a full-width line. Press Ctrl+Z straight away if you did not want that.
- Fill-in blanks: for printed forms, type a row of underscores. For forms people fill in on screen, a table cell or text field works better.
- Italics in chats: in some chat apps, putting _ on both sides of a word makes it italic. Use * on both sides for bold (see the asterisk symbol).
Underscore Variants and Look-Alikes
| Symbol | Name | Note |
|---|---|---|
| _ | Low line (underscore) | The normal keyboard character |
| ＿ | Fullwidth low line | Used in Chinese and Japanese text; wider |
| ‗ | Double low line | Two lines; decorative or for double underlining in plain text |
| ̲ | Combining low line | Attaches under the letter before it, giving underlined text like a̲b̲c̲ |
| - | Hyphen | Sits in the middle of the line, not at the bottom |
| – or longer | Dashes | Also mid-line; used in sentences, not names |
The combining low line is how "underlined" text in social media bios is made. The variants have no Alt code, so copy them from the grid. The underscore belongs with the other keyboard punctuation marks.
Frequently asked questions
What is underscore symbol?
The underscore symbol is the low line _ that sits at the bottom of the text line. It is used in usernames, email addresses, file names and code, where a space is not allowed.
What is the +_ symbol on a keyboard?
People often search for the "+_ symbol" because the plus and underscore are the Shift signs on two keys next to each other, right of 0. Shift with the hyphen key gives _, and Shift with the = key gives +.
What is the difference between underscore and hyphen?
The underscore _ sits low on the line, while the hyphen - sits in the middle. In web addresses and file names, search engines usually treat a hyphen as a space between words but an underscore as joining them.
Can I use an underscore in an email address?
Yes, most email services allow underscores in the part before the @, such as asha_menon@example.com. Some services do not, so check the sign-up rules. Never use it in the part after the @ symbol.
Why is the underscore not showing in my text?
When text is underlined, such as a link, the underscore can hide inside the underline. Remove the underline or zoom in to check that it is there.
_ what is this symbol called?
It is the underscore, also called the low line. On a keyboard you type it with Shift and the hyphen key. In chats it often appears inside faces such as -_- and ._., where it works as the mouth.