Symbols on Keyboard

Happy keyboard button

You can always copy paste symbols, but you can even type some of these text signs, symbols and emoji via keyboard.


Windows

Windows Alt codes

Shortcut technique that works on Desktops and some Laptops running MS Windows. You press Alt and, while holding it, type a code on Num Pad. It's very easy, but not as practical for long-term usage as Shift States. Also, you can type many frequently used symbols with this method, but not all like with Shift States.



Shift states

My Windows keyboard layout with symbols (custom)
My Windows keyboard layout with symbols Want to type symbols on keyboard? Install my custom keyboard layout. E̲n̲t̲i̲r̲e̲l̲y̲ free. Includes source file, so you can edit it the way you want.

Configure your keyboard layout in Windows so that you can type all additional symbols you want as easy as any other text. Takes about 5-10 minutes to set things up, but you'll be typing like a boss.



Character map

CharMap allows you to view and use all characters and symbols available in all fonts (some examples of fonts are "Arial", "Times New Roman", "Webdings") installed on your computer.

Mac

iOS Emoji keyboard

For Emojis (only) there is a special preinstalled keyboard.

Text Symbols with iPhone Emoji keyboard 📲
Text Symbols with iPhone Emoji keyboard 📲Simple and beautiful way to discover how to add a virtual keyboard for Emoji symbols visible as small pictures. The keyboard itself is preinstalled on your iOS device, so you don't have to download, or buy anything.


MacOS Keyboard viewer

Mac keyboard viewer window

You can make frequently used technical non-fancy symbols like "√ ∑ π ∞ ∆ ™ © æ £ ¢" and åccénted letters on Mac using [Option] key. I've compiled a list of shortcuts in my article and explained how to open keyboard viewer. You can also use your Keyboard Viewer as an alternative to my list.



MacOS Character palette

Character Palette allows you to view and use all characters and symbols available in all fonts (some examples of fonts are "Arial", "Times New Roman", "Webdings") installed on your computer.

Linux

Keyboard codes

On non-handheld Linux (not Android mobile) there are 3 great ways to type Unicode symbols with keyboard. You can code all symbols with Unicode hex codes, type lots of symbols in the most easy way with Third and fourth level choosers, and easily compose useful signs with Compose key sequences. To find out how, read references that I made.



Character map

Character map allows you to view and use all characters and symbols available in all fonts (some examples of fonts are "Arial", "Times New Roman", "Webdings") installed on your computer. It can also help you lookup Unicode codes for entering symbols with keyboard.

Android

As for emojis, modern versions of Android have emoji keyboard built into the standart keyboard.

Emoji keyboard on Androids
Emoji keyboard on AndroidsHow to enable default emoji keyboard on Samsung Android smartphones.
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Last update 4 years ago

Comments

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How do you make a love heart?
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How do you make the n with the little squiggly line on top?
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You can find ñ and it's Alt code in cool letters article. This page is dedicated to quick overviews of techniques for entering symbols. You can find the symbols in other parts of my websites. =)