SymbolHub

Option Key Symbol (⌥)

The option key symbol ⌥ is Unicode U+2325, the secondary modifier key on Apple keyboards used for typing special characters and alternate commands. Press Copy to put it on your clipboard.

Unicode
U+2325
HTML
⌥
Word
2325 Alt+X

How to type the option key symbol (⌥)

The quickest way is to press Copy above and paste. To type ⌥ yourself, use the method for your device below.

Windows

  1. In Word or Outlook, type 2325 and press Alt + X. Alt + X converts the hex code before the cursor into the character, and back again.
  2. Press Win + R, type charmap and press Enter. Tick “Advanced view”, search for Option Key, then Select and Copy. Character Map is built into every version of Windows.

Mac

  1. Press Control + Command + Space to open the Character Viewer, search for option and double-click it.
  2. With the Unicode Hex Input keyboard enabled (System Settings → Keyboard → Input Sources), hold Option and type 2325.

Linux & ChromeOS

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + U, type 2325, then press Enter or Space. Works in GTK and IBus apps (GNOME, Firefox, Chrome, LibreOffice) and on ChromeOS.

iPhone & iPad

  1. Copy ⌥ from this page, then go to Settings → General → Keyboard → Text Replacement and add it with a shortcut such as ;opti. The shortcut then turns into the symbol as you type, in every app.

Android

  1. Copy ⌥ here, then open Gboard settings → Dictionary → Personal dictionary and add it with a shortcut.

Microsoft Word

  1. Type 2325, then press Alt + X.
  2. Insert → Symbol → More Symbols. Set “from” to Unicode (hex), type 2325 in “Character code” and click Insert.

Google Docs

  1. Insert → Special characters, then search for “option” or draw it in the box.

Excel & Google Sheets

  1. Enter =UNICHAR(8997) in a cell. It works in Excel 2013 and later and in Google Sheets.

HTML

  1. Write ⌥ or ⌥ in your HTML.

What does ⌥ mean?

The ⌥ symbol, registered in the Unicode standard as OPTION KEY (U+2325), represents the Option (or Alt) modifier key found on Apple desktop and laptop keyboards. Stylised as an electrical switch or diverging railway track where a primary horizontal line forks into an elevated secondary path, the icon visually conveys the concept of choosing an alternate course of action. Most Apple keyboards manufactured for international markets print both the ⌥ graphic and the label "alt" on the keycap to clarify cross-platform compatibility for users accustomed to Windows and Linux systems.

In everyday computing on macOS, the Option key serves two principal roles. First, it transforms standard alphanumeric keys into convenient typing shortcuts for hundreds of typographic glyphs, mathematical symbols, diacritics, and international accents without opening a character palette. For example, pressing Option + G outputs the copyright sign ©, Option + 2 yields the trademark symbol ™, and Option + Shift + K renders the Apple logo. Second, holding Option while browsing system menus or the Finder reveals hidden operational functions, such as converting "Close Window" into "Close All Windows" or exposing detailed Wi-Fi diagnostics in the top menu bar.

Technical manuals and shortcut lists frequently combine ⌥ with companion modifiers including the command key symbol ⌘, the shift key symbol ⇧, and the escape key symbol ⎋. Discover more about layout conventions in our mac keyboard symbols guide and the general keyboard symbols index.

Common uses

  • Typing accented vowels: Option + e followed by e produces é, and Option + u followed by u produces ü
  • Typographic shortcuts: Option + 8 outputs a bullet point •, and Option + hyphen outputs an en dash –
  • Advanced system diagnostics: Option-clicking the Wi-Fi or Bluetooth status icon reveals technical connection telemetry
  • Emergency task management: Option + Command + Escape summons the macOS Force Quit Applications dialogue

Option Key Symbol codes for HTML, CSS and programming

Every code below produces ⌥. Use the HTML entity in web pages, the CSS escape in content, and the escape sequence in source code.

Unicode code pointU+2325
HTML decimal⌥
HTML hex⌥
CSS contentcontent: "\2325";
JavaScript"\u2325"
Python"\u2325"
Python (by name)"\N{OPTION KEY}"
Java / C#"\u2325"
UTF-8 bytesE2 8C A5
UTF-162325
URL encoded%E2%8C%A5

⌥ vs look-alike characters

These characters look similar to ⌥ but have a different meaning and code. Pasting the wrong one can break search, sorting and screen readers.

CharNameWhen to use it
Alternative Key Symbol
U+2387		Alternative key symbol (ISO 9995-7), an international standard symbol for Alt keys.
Up Arrowhead
U+2303		Control key symbol, indicating terminal control codes or secondary clicks on Mac.
Place of Interest
U+2318		Command key symbol, the primary shortcut modifier on macOS.
Ocr Fork
U+2442		Musical symbol or logic symbol with branching stems.

Symbols similar to ⌥

Click to copy, or open a symbol for its codes. See the full keyboard symbols collection.

⌥ character properties

Official Unicode name
OPTION KEY
Also known as
alt key symbol, option symbol, mac option symbol, railway switch symbol, diverging path symbol
Code point
U+2325
Unicode block
Miscellaneous Technical (U+2300–U+23FF)
General category
Other symbol (So)
Added in
Unicode 1.1 (1993)
Plane
Basic Multilingual Plane (0)
Emoji
No, it is a text symbol

Frequently asked questions

What does the Option key symbol ⌥ actually depict?

The symbol depicts an electrical divert switch or railroad track switch, featuring a horizontal line running straight and an angled branch leading to an elevated parallel path. It signifies selecting an alternate input or secondary command route.

Is the Option key the same as the Alt key?

Yes, on modern Mac hardware the Option key performs the exact same role as the Alt key in Windows and Linux environments, and many modern Apple keyboards print both "option" and "alt" on the keycap.

How do I type accented letters using Option on Mac?

Press Option plus a dead-key modifier, then release both and type the desired letter. For instance, Option + e followed by e produces é, Option + u followed by u produces ü, and Option + n followed by n produces ñ.

Is there an alt code for the option key symbol?

No. ⌥ is outside the Windows-1252 and code page 437 character sets, so no Alt + number code produces it. Copy it from this page, type 2325 then Alt + X in Word, or find it in Character Map.

How do I type the option key symbol on a Mac?

There is no single Option shortcut for ⌥ on the US layout. Press Control + Command + Space to open the Character Viewer, search for “option” and double-click it, or copy it from this page.

What is the HTML code for the option key symbol?

⌥ has no named HTML entity. Use the numeric reference ⌥ or ⌥, or paste the character directly into a UTF-8 page.

What is the Unicode for the option key symbol?

⌥ is U+2325, officially named OPTION KEY, in the Miscellaneous Technical block. It has been part of Unicode since version 1.1 (1993).