What the Hash key does
The hash (number sign, pound sign in US usage, hashtag online) marks numbers (#1), tags on social media, comments in many programming languages, and headings in Markdown. On phone keypads it is the pound key.
On a Mac
Shift+3 on US layouts; Option+3 on UK Macs, which trips up most UK Mac users at least once.
On a laptop
Depends on layout: US Shift+3, UK a dedicated key by Enter.
Shortcuts that use the Hash key
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Shift+3 (US) | # |
| Option+3 (UK Mac) | # |
| # key next to Enter (UK PC) | # |
| Alt+35 | Hash via Alt code |
| Shift+3 (UK) | £, not # |
If the Hash key is missing or not working
If Shift+3 gives £ you have a UK layout; use the # key by Enter (PC) or Option+3 (Mac). If it gives something else entirely, the wrong language layout is active. Test the key below.
Test it here: click the tester, press the key, and it should light up green. A red key is stuck; a key that never lights up is dead or intercepted by the system. The full keyboard tester has the press log and more detail.
Click the tester, then press any key. Browser shortcuts are blocked while it has focus.
—
- key
- —
- code
- —
- keyCode
- —
none
Max at once: 0 (rollover)
None detected. A key held for more than 2 seconds is flagged.
Frequently asked questions
How do I type # on a UK Mac? +
Option+3. Shift+3 gives the pound sign £ on UK Apple keyboards.
Is the hash key the same as the pound key? +
In the US the # symbol is called the pound sign (from pounds weight). In the UK "pound" means £, which is on Shift+3 of a UK keyboard, and # has its own key.
Where is the hashtag key? +
Shift+3 on US keyboards; a dedicated key left of Enter on UK keyboards.