Symbols on Keyboard: Names, Meanings & Shortcuts
Symbols on a keyboard are special characters used for punctuation, mathematics, currency, programming, and digital communication. Common examples include @, #, $, %, &, *, _, +, =, /, ?, and !. On a standard US keyboard, many symbols can be typed with Shift + a key, while other special characters can be entered using Alt codes or built-in symbol tools.
What Are Symbols on a Keyboard?
Symbols on a keyboard are special characters used for punctuation, math, currency, programming, and communication. Common examples include @, #, $, %, &, *, _, +, =, and ?. Their names and uses can vary by keyboard layout and operating system.
Keyboard symbols can vary depending on the keyboard layout, language, and operating system, but many are commonly found on keyboards worldwide. They are used in writing, online communication, calculations, programming, and everyday computer tasks.
Complete List of Symbols on a Keyboard
The table below lists common symbols on a keyboard, including their names and common uses. These symbols are typically found on standard US English keyboards, although their position and shortcuts may vary by keyboard layout.
| Symbol | Name | Common Use |
|---|---|---|
~ | Tilde | Approximation, programming |
` | Backtick / Grave Accent | Programming, Markdown |
! | Exclamation Mark | Emphasis, logical NOT |
@ | At Sign | Email addresses, mentions |
# | Number Sign / Hash | Hashtags, numbering |
$ | Dollar Sign | Currency |
% | Percent Sign | Percentages |
^ | Caret | Mathematics, programming |
& | Ampersand | Means “and” |
* | Asterisk | Multiplication, footnotes, wildcards |
( | Left Parenthesis | Grouping |
) | Right Parenthesis | Grouping |
- | Hyphen / Minus Sign | Words, subtraction |
_ | Underscore | Usernames, filenames, programming |
= | Equals Sign | Equality, formulas |
+ | Plus Sign | Addition |
[ | Left Square Bracket | Grouping, programming |
] | Right Square Bracket | Grouping, programming |
{ | Left Curly Brace | Programming, grouping |
} | Right Curly Brace | Programming, grouping |
\ | Backslash | File paths, programming |
| ` | ` | Vertical Bar / Pipe |
; | Semicolon | Punctuation, programming |
: | Colon | Lists, ratios, programming |
' | Apostrophe / Single Quote | Contractions, text |
" | Quotation Mark / Double Quote | Quotations, programming |
, | Comma | Lists, punctuation |
. | Period / Full Stop | Sentences, decimals, domains |
< | Less-Than Sign | Comparisons, programming |
> | Greater-Than Sign | Comparisons, programming |
/ | Forward Slash | Dates, fractions, URLs |
? | Question Mark | Questions, programming |
Note: The names and functions of some symbols can differ depending on the country, keyboard layout, language, and software being used.
Symbols on the Number Keys
On a standard US keyboard, the number keys 1–0 also have symbols. Hold Shift and press a number key to type its symbol.
| Key | Symbol | Name | Common Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shift + 1 | ! | Exclamation Mark | Emphasis or strong emotion |
| Shift + 2 | @ | At Sign | Email addresses and mentions |
| Shift + 3 | # | Number Sign / Hash | Hashtags, numbering, coding |
| Shift + 4 | $ | Dollar Sign | Currency |
| Shift + 5 | % | Percent Sign | Percentages |
| Shift + 6 | ^ | Caret | Mathematics and programming |
| Shift + 7 | & | Ampersand | Means “and” |
| Shift + 8 | * | Asterisk | Multiplication, footnotes, wildcards |
| Shift + 9 | ( | Left Parenthesis | Grouping information |
| Shift + 0 | ) | Right Parenthesis | Grouping information |
Note: These combinations apply to a standard US keyboard. Symbol positions and shortcuts can differ on other keyboard layouts.
Keyboard Punctuation Symbols
Punctuation symbols on a keyboard help organize sentences, separate information, and make text easier to understand. Common examples include the period, comma, colon, semicolon, quotation marks, and question mark.
| Symbol | Name | Common Use |
|---|---|---|
. | Period / Full Stop | Ends a sentence, decimals, web addresses |
, | Comma | Separates items or clauses |
; | Semicolon | Separates closely related clauses |
: | Colon | Introduces lists or explanations |
' | Apostrophe / Single Quote | Contractions, possession, text |
" | Quotation Mark | Direct quotes and text strings |
? | Question Mark | Indicates a question |
/ | Forward Slash | URLs, dates, alternatives |
- | Hyphen | Connects words and terms |
_ | Underscore | Filenames, usernames, programming |
On a standard US keyboard, several punctuation marks are typed with Shift + key, such as ?, :, ", and _. Their exact positions can vary with the keyboard layout and language settings.
Special Symbols on a Keyboard
Some symbols on a keyboard have names and uses that are less obvious. They are especially common in programming, mathematics, file paths, and technical writing.
| Symbol | Name | Common Use |
|---|---|---|
~ | Tilde | Approximation, programming, file paths |
` | Backtick / Grave Accent | Programming and Markdown |
^ | Caret | Mathematics and programming |
\ | Backslash | Windows file paths and programming |
| ` | ` | Pipe / Vertical Bar |
< | Less-Than Sign | Mathematics and comparisons |
> | Greater-Than Sign | Mathematics and comparisons |
[ ] | Square Brackets | Programming, arrays, and grouping |
{ } | Curly Braces | Programming and grouping |
Note: A symbol can have different meanings depending on the software or context. Keyboard layouts can also change where these symbols appear.
Keyboard Symbols and Their Meanings
Symbols on a keyboard can have different meanings depending on how they are used. They are common in writing, email, social media, mathematics, programming, and everyday computer tasks.
Writing and Punctuation
Punctuation symbols help organize text and make sentences easier to understand. For example, a comma (,) separates items or clauses, a period (.) ends a sentence, and a question mark (?) indicates a question.
Email and Online Communication
The at sign (@) is used in email addresses and social media mentions. The number sign (#) is commonly used for hashtags, while the ampersand (&) represents the word “and.”
Mathematics
Symbols such as plus (+), minus (-), equals (=), percent (%), and less than (<) are commonly used in calculations, formulas, and comparisons.
Programming and Technical Use
Many keyboard symbols have special functions in programming. Curly braces ({ }) are used for grouping code, brackets ([ ]) can define arrays or lists, and forward slash (/) and backslash () are commonly used in paths and programming syntax.
Understanding the names and meanings of keyboard symbols makes it easier to use them correctly in different digital tasks.
Need to type a mathematical symbol? See our guide on [How to Type the Pi Symbol (π)] for step-by-step methods.
Keyboard Symbol Shortcuts: Windows & Mac
Keyboard shortcuts provide a quick way to type symbols on a keyboard without copying and pasting. The available shortcuts depend on your operating system, keyboard layout, and application.
Windows Keyboard Shortcuts
On a standard US keyboard, common symbols can be typed using Shift + number key:
| Shortcut | Symbol |
|---|---|
| Shift + 1 | ! |
| Shift + 2 | @ |
| Shift + 3 | # |
| Shift + 4 | $ |
| Shift + 5 | % |
| Shift + 6 | ^ |
| Shift + 7 | & |
| Shift + 8 | * |
| Shift + 9 | ( |
| Shift + 0 | ) |
Windows also supports Alt codes for many special characters. Hold Alt and enter the code using the numeric keypad. For example, Alt + 0169 produces © and Alt + 0174 produces ®. Alt codes require a numeric keypad; the number row at the top of the keyboard does not work for this method.
Learn the [Close Tab Shortcut] to quickly close tabs on Windows and Mac.
Mac Keyboard Shortcuts
Mac keyboards use Option (⌥) and Shift with other keys to enter many special characters. The exact combinations can vary depending on your keyboard layout.
For symbols that are not easy to find, press Control + Command + Space to open the Character Viewer, then search for and select the symbol you need.
Tip: If a keyboard symbol shortcut does not work, check your current keyboard layout or input source before assuming the shortcut is incorrect.
Modifier Keys Explained
Modifier keys change the function of another key when pressed together. They are commonly used for keyboard shortcuts, symbol input, and navigation.
Windows: Shift, Ctrl, and Alt
Shift: Types uppercase letters and the symbols on the top of number and punctuation keys. For example, Shift + 2 types
@on a standard US keyboard.Ctrl (Control): Used with other keys to perform common actions, such as Ctrl + C to copy and Ctrl + V to paste.
Alt: Used for alternative commands and special character input. For example, Alt + numeric code can enter certain characters using the numeric keypad.
Mac: Command, Option, and Shift
Shift: Types uppercase letters and alternate symbols.
Command (⌘): The primary shortcut key for common actions, such as Command + C to copy and Command + V to paste.
Option (⌥): Used for alternate characters, special symbols, and additional keyboard shortcuts.
Modifier keys can make typing and navigation faster by giving a single key combination multiple functions.
Related: Test your keyboard response speed with our [Keyboard Latency Test].
How to Type Special Symbols on Keyboard
You can type special symbols on a keyboard using Shift combinations, Windows Alt codes, or built-in character tools. The best method depends on your keyboard layout and operating system.
Shift Key Combinations
On a standard US keyboard, many common symbols can be typed by holding Shift and pressing another key.
Shift + 1 →
!Shift + 2 →
@Shift + 3 →
#Shift + 4 →
$Shift + 7 →
&Shift + = →
+
Need to type the @ symbol quickly? See our [How to Type @ on Keyboard] guide for Windows, Mac, and different keyboard layouts.
Alt Codes on Windows
Windows supports Alt codes for many special characters. Hold Alt and enter the numeric code using the numeric keypad.
For example:
Alt + 0169 →
©Alt + 0174 →
®Alt + 0176 →
°
Alt codes are useful when a symbol is not directly available on your keyboard.
Character Tools and Copy-Paste
If you cannot find a symbol using a keyboard shortcut, you can use the Windows Character Map, Mac Character Viewer, or copy the symbol from another source and paste it into your document.
If the symbols on your keyboard do not match these examples, check your current keyboard layout or use our [Keyboard Layout Converter].
Why Keyboard Symbols Are Important
Keyboard symbols make digital communication clearer, faster, and more efficient. They are used in many everyday computer tasks:
Writing: Punctuation symbols organize sentences and improve readability.
Programming: Symbols define operators, logic, commands, and code structure.
Data Entry: Symbols are used in email addresses, formulas, numbers, usernames, and file names.
Online Communication: Symbols such as
@and#are commonly used for mentions, usernames, and hashtags.
Knowing the names, meanings, and uses of symbols on a keyboard helps you type and communicate more accurately.
You can also use our [Typing Speed Test] to practice typing symbols and improve your typing accuracy.
Keyboard Symbols by Key
On a standard US keyboard, many keys have two symbols: the main character and an alternate character accessed with Shift. The symbols may differ on other keyboard layouts.
| Keyboard Key | Symbol | Shift + Key | Symbol |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1 | Shift + 1 | ! |
2 | 2 | Shift + 2 | @ |
3 | 3 | Shift + 3 | # |
4 | 4 | Shift + 4 | $ |
5 | 5 | Shift + 5 | % |
6 | 6 | Shift + 6 | ^ |
7 | 7 | Shift + 7 | & |
8 | 8 | Shift + 8 | * |
9 | 9 | Shift + 9 | ( |
0 | 0 | Shift + 0 | ) |
- | - | Shift + - | _ |
= | = | Shift + = | + |
[ | [ | Shift + [ | { |
] | ] | Shift + ] | } |
\ | \ | Shift + \ | ` |
; | ; | Shift + ; | : |
' | ' | Shift + ' | " |
, | , | Shift + , | < |
. | . | Shift + . | > |
/ | / | Shift + / | ? |
How to Use This Keyboard Symbol Chart
To type the upper symbol shown on a key, hold Shift and press that key. For example, Shift + 4 types $, while Shift + / types ?.
Note: This chart applies to the standard US QWERTY keyboard. Symbol positions and Shift combinations can be different on UK, international, and other language-specific keyboard layouts.
Frequently Asked Questions About Keyboard Symbols
What are the most common symbols on a keyboard?
Common keyboard symbols include punctuation marks such as ., ,, ?, and !, along with special characters such as @, #, $, %, &, *, and _. They are used in writing, email, programming, mathematics, and online communication.
What are the names of keyboard symbols?
Common keyboard symbol names include at sign (@), number sign (#), dollar sign ($), percent sign (%), ampersand (&), asterisk (*), underscore (_), caret (^), tilde (~), and pipe (|). The name and use of a symbol can vary depending on its context.
How do I type symbols on a keyboard?
On a standard US keyboard, many symbols can be typed by holding Shift and pressing the corresponding key. Windows also supports Alt codes for many special characters, while Mac users can use Option shortcuts or Character Viewer.
What does each keyboard symbol mean?
Keyboard symbols have different meanings depending on their context. For example, @ is commonly used in email addresses, # is used for hashtags and numbering, and = represents equality in mathematics and formulas.
What are Alt codes for symbols?
Alt codes are Windows keyboard shortcuts that let you enter certain special characters by holding Alt and typing a numeric code on the numeric keypad.
How do I type symbols without a number pad?
You can use Shift key combinations, the Windows Character Map, Mac Character Viewer, or copy and paste the required symbol. Many common symbols do not require a numeric keypad.
Why are my keyboard symbols different?
Keyboard symbols can appear in different positions depending on your keyboard layout, language, and operating system. For example, US and UK keyboards have some different symbol arrangements.