Keyboard Symbols
These are the keyboard symbols printed on a standard US keyboard: ! @ # $ % ^ & * ( ) - _ = + [ ] { } \ | ; : ' " , . < > / ? ` ~. Click one to copy it, or open it to see its name, alt code and HTML code.
Click any symbol to copy it. 44 symbols
Symbols on the number row (with Shift)
12Punctuation keys
11Shifted punctuation keys
9Keys for special keys
12Keyboard symbol names at a glance
Most people know @ and #, but the rest of the row has names that trip up even programmers. The most commonly searched ones:
| Symbol | Name | Where it is (US layout) |
|---|---|---|
| ~ | Tilde | Shift + the key left of 1 |
| ` | Grave accent, backtick | The key left of 1 |
| ^ | Caret (circumflex) | Shift + 6 |
| & | Ampersand | Shift + 7 |
| * | Asterisk | Shift + 8 |
| | | Vertical bar, pipe | Shift + backslash |
| \ | Backslash | Above Enter |
| # | Number sign, hash, hashtag, pound (US) | Shift + 3 |
| @ | At sign | Shift + 2 |
For the full list, including the regional names (in the UK # is “hash” and £ sits on Shift + 3), read our guide to keyboard symbol names.
Why your keyboard might not match
These positions are for the US layout. UK keyboards swap @ and ", put # next to Enter and add £ and ¬. German, French and Spanish keyboards place [ ] { } \ | and @ on the AltGr layer, for example AltGr + Q for @ on a German keyboard. If a key types the wrong symbol, Windows is probably set to a different layout than the one printed on the keys; the US International keyboard guide explains how layouts work.
Alt codes for keyboard symbols
Every keyboard symbol also has an alt code equal to its ASCII number: hold Alt and type 64 for @, 35 for #, 126 for ~ or 124 for |. That helps when a key is broken or your layout hides a symbol. The alt code chart lists all 255.
Frequently asked questions
What are the symbols on a keyboard called?
The main ones are the exclamation mark !, at sign @, hash #, dollar $, percent %, caret ^, ampersand &, asterisk *, parentheses ( ), hyphen -, underscore _, equals =, plus +, brackets [ ] { }, backslash \, vertical bar |, semicolon ;, colon :, apostrophe ', quotation mark ", comma, period, angle brackets < >, slash /, question mark ?, backtick ` and tilde ~.
How do I type symbols that are not on my keyboard?
On Windows, use an alt code or press Win + . for the symbol panel. On a Mac, use Option key combinations or the Character Viewer (Control + Command + Space). You can also copy symbols from SymbolHub.
What is the | symbol called?
| is the vertical bar, also called the pipe, because it pipes the output of one command into another in Unix shells. On a US keyboard it is Shift + backslash.
Where is the tilde ~ on the keyboard?
On a US keyboard, press Shift and the key to the left of 1. On a UK keyboard it is Shift + # next to the Enter key.