A computer keyboard has more symbols than just letters and numbers. It includes punctuation marks, mathematical symbols, and special typographical characters. Knowing the correct names and shortcuts of these keyboard symbols helps users write, code, and communicate more efficiently. Whether you’re typing on Windows or macOS, each keyboard comes with its own unique layout and modifier keys that make certain symbols accessible.
Names of Computer Keyboard Symbols (U.S. Layout)
The typical U.S. keyboard layout on a Windows computer features all the standard keys, including letters, numbers, punctuation marks, and special function keys. Windows keyboards also include two unique keys — the Windows key (introduced in 1994 — source) and a Menu key on the bottom row.
A Mac keyboard, on the other hand, includes a Command key (⌘), which was first introduced in 1980 — source. This key allows various shortcuts and functions similar to the Control (Ctrl) key on Windows.
Computer Keyboard Symbols and Their Meanings
The table below lists all common keyboard symbols found on U.S. keyboards and their names.
List of Symbols on a Keyboard
| Symbol | Name / Description |
|---|---|
| ` | Grave accent / Backtick |
| ~ | Tilde |
| ! | Exclamation mark |
| @ | At sign |
| # | Hash / Pound sign |
| $ | Dollar sign |
| % | Percent sign |
| ^ | Caret |
| & | Ampersand |
| * | Asterisk |
| ( ) | Parentheses |
| – | Hyphen / Minus |
| _ | Underscore |
| = | Equals sign |
| + | Plus sign |
| [ ] | Square brackets |
| { } | Curly brackets / Braces |
| \ | Backslash |
| / | Forward slash |
| | | Vertical pipe |
| ; | Semicolon |
| : | Colon |
| ‘ | Apostrophe |
| “ | Quotation marks |
| , | Comma |
| . | Period / Dot |
| < > | Angle brackets |
| ? | Question mark |
Modifier Keys on a Windows Keyboard
Windows keyboards have several modifier keys that help users perform commands like copy, paste, save, or print. The Windows key, first introduced in 1994, serves as a quick shortcut to open the Start menu and perform various functions.
| Key | Windows Function |
|---|---|
| Alt | Used with other keys to perform shortcuts and access menus |
| Caps Lock | Toggles uppercase letters on and off |
| Ctrl (Control) | Used for common commands like copy, paste, and save |
| Shift | Types uppercase letters and alternate symbols |
| Windows Key | Opens Start menu and works with shortcuts (Win + D, Win + L) |
| Fn (Function) | Used on laptops to control hardware features |
| Esc (Escape) | Cancels or exits current tasks and dialogs |
| Tab | Moves focus between fields and elements |
Modifier Keys on a Mac Keyboard
Mac keyboards have their own set of modifier keys. The Command (⌘) key, first introduced in 1980, enables multiple shortcuts that enhance productivity. The Control (⌃) key performs similar tasks on Windows systems.
| Key | Mac Function |
|---|---|
| Option (⌥) | Used to type special characters and symbols |
| Command (⌘) | Primary modifier key for shortcuts like copy and paste |
| Control (⌃) | Used with mouse and keyboard for advanced commands |
| Shift (⇧) | Types uppercase letters and alternate symbols |
| Caps Lock | Locks letters in uppercase |
| Fn (Function) | Controls system features like brightness and volume |
| Esc (Escape) | Cancels operations and closes dialogs |
| Tab | Moves between fields and interface elements |
Keyboard Symbol Shortcuts
Apart from standard symbols, there are special characters used for currency, math, editing, and typography that can be accessed using keyboard shortcuts.
Symbols Using Windows Shortcuts
| Symbol | Name | Windows Shortcut |
|---|---|---|
| £ | Pound, pound sterling | Alt + 0163 |
| $ | Dollar or currency | Shift + 4 |
| ¢ | Cent | Alt + 0162 |
| € | Euro | Alt + Ctrl + E |
| ¥ | Japanese yen, Chinese yuan | Alt + 0165 |
| ∞ | Infinity | Alt + 236 |
| § | Section, silcrow | Alt + 0167 |
| ¶ | Paragraph, pilcrow | Alt + 0182 |
| ™ | Trademark | Alt + 0153 |
| © | Copyright | Alt + 0169 |
| ® | Registered trademark | Alt + 0174 |
| • | Bullet | Alt + 0149 |
| º | Degree | Alt + 0176 |
| ± | Plus or minus | Alt + 0177 |
| ≠ | Not equal sign, inequality | Alt + 8800 |
| ≈ | Approximately | Alt + 247 |
| ∑ | Upper case sigma, summation | Alt + 931 |
| π | Lower case pi | Alt + 960 |
| ∏ | Upper case pi | Alt + 227 |
| √ | Square root, radical | Alt + 251 |
| % | Percent, parts per 100 | Shift + 5 |
| ‰ | Per mille, parts per 1000 | Alt + 0137 |
| ÷ | Division | Alt + 247 |
| ≤ | Less than or equal to | Alt + 243 |
| ≥ | Greater than or equal to | Alt + 8805 |
| † | Dagger, cross | Alt + 0134 |
| ‡ | Double dagger, double cross | Alt + 0135 |
| … | Ellipsis | Alt + 0133 |
| – | En dash | Alt + 0150 |
| — | Em dash | Alt + 0151 |
| ∆ | Upper case delta, change | Alt + 30 |
| Ω | Upper case omega | Alt + 234 |
| µ | Lower case mu, mean, micro | Alt + 230 |
Symbols Using Mac Shortcuts
| Symbol | Name | Mac Shortcut |
|---|---|---|
| £ | Pound, pound sterling | Option + 3 (US), Shift + 3 (UK) |
| $ | Dollar or currency | Shift + 4 |
| ¢ | Cent | Option + 4 |
| € | Euro | Option + Shift + 2 (US), Option + 2 (UK) |
| ¥ | Japanese yen, Chinese yuan | Option + Y |
| ∞ | Infinity | Option + 5 |
| § | Section, silcrow | Option + 6 |
| ¶ | Paragraph, pilcrow | Option + 7 |
| ™ | Trademark | Option + 2 |
| © | Copyright | Option + G |
| ® | Registered trademark | Option + R |
| • | Bullet | Option + 8 |
| º | Degree | Option + Shift + 8 |
| ± | Plus or minus | Option + Shift + = |
| ≠ | Not equal sign, inequality | Option + = |
| ≈ | Approximately | Option + X |
| ∑ | Upper case sigma, summation | Option + W |
| π | Lower case pi | Option + P |
| ∏ | Upper case pi | Option + Shift + P |
| √ | Square root, radical | Option + V |
| % | Percent, parts per 100 | Shift + 5 |
| ‰ | Per mille, parts per 1000 | Option + Shift + R |
| ÷ | Division | Option + / |
| ≤ | Less than or equal to | Option + , |
| ≥ | Greater than or equal to | Option + . |
| † | Dagger, cross | Option + T |
| ‡ | Double dagger, double cross | Option + Shift + 7 |
| … | Ellipsis | Option + ; |
| – | En dash | Option + – |
| — | Em dash | Option + Shift + – |
| ∆ | Upper case delta, change | Option + J |
| Ω | Upper case omega | Option + Z |
| µ | Lower case mu, mean, micro | Option + M |
Importance of Keyboard Symbols
Understanding keyboard symbols and their corresponding names is crucial for anyone who types, codes, or edits professionally. From punctuation marks to mathematical and special symbols, each key serves a specific function. Whether using a Windows PC or a Mac, learning the shortcuts for these symbols enhances productivity and accuracy.