How to type the pound sign on Windows
To type the pound sign on Windows, hold down the Alt key and type 0163 on the numeric keypad, then release Alt. On standard UK keyboards, simply press Shift + 3. In Microsoft Word, type 00A3 and press Alt + X.
Quick answer
Hold Alt and type 0163 (or 156) on the numeric keypad, then release Alt: £. On UK keyboards, press Shift + 3.
Step by step
Check Num Lock
Ensure Num Lock is turned on so your keypad inputs numbers rather than cursor movements.
Hold down Alt
Press and hold the left Alt key on your keyboard.
Type 0163 on the keypad
Type 0, 1, 6, and 3 using the numeric keypad on the right side. Do not use the number row above letters.
Release Alt
Release the Alt key. The British pound sign (£) will appear at the insertion point.
Alt + 0163 versus Alt + 156
Windows supports two distinct alt codes for the British pound sterling sign (£). The four-digit code Alt + 0163 reads from the Windows-1252 code page, where position 163 corresponds to £. The three-digit code Alt + 156 originates from the historic IBM PC code page 437, which also placed £ at index 156. Both codes produce the identical Unicode character U+00A3 in all current desktop software. See our alt code chart for a complete list of currency and punctuation codes.
UK versus US physical keyboard layouts
The British pound is native to the United Kingdom, so physical keyboards designed for the UK market map £ directly to Shift + 3. On American keyboard layouts, however, Shift + 3 produces the number sign or hashtag (#). If you work in an American office and need to write amounts in British currency regularly, you can install the US International keyboard layout in Windows settings. Under that layout, pressing AltGr + Shift + 4 generates £ without needing a separate numeric keypad.
Laptops without keypads and Microsoft Word
Typing alt codes on modern compact laptops can be tricky because pressing the top number row fails to trigger the shortcut. In Microsoft Word and Outlook, you can type 00A3 and immediately press Alt + X to transform the code into £. Word also supports the default keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Alt + Shift + 4. Across any web browser or messaging app, you can press Win + . to open the Windows emoji and symbols panel, or search for the symbol in the Windows Character Map.
Financial conventions and cross-platform tips
The pound sterling sign is universally placed before the number without an intervening space (for example, £25.50 or £1,000). Avoid substituting the capital letter L or the hashtag symbol, as financial screen readers and parsing scripts distinguish U+00A3 strictly. If alt codes fail to output anything on your computer, consult our alt codes troubleshooting guide. If you work across Apple computers as well, read our guide on typing the pound sign on Mac. Find all character metadata on our pound sign symbol page and browse other tenders in the currency symbols collection.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Windows alt code for the pound sign?
The alt code is Alt + 0163 on the numeric keypad. You can also use the older code Alt + 156.
Why does Shift + 3 give me a hashtag instead of £?
Your Windows input language is set to US English. On US layouts Shift + 3 types #. UK keyboards map £ to Shift + 3.
How do I type £ on a laptop without a number pad?
Press Win + . to open the emoji and symbols panel, or in Microsoft Word type 00A3 followed by Alt + X.