How to type * on Windows
The asterisk symbol has no short Alt code. The quickest option is to copy it from the top of this page and paste it with Ctrl+V.
No numeric keypad?
Press Win+. to open the emoji panel, choose the Symbols tab (Ω) and search for "asterisk". Or open Character Map from the Start menu, find *, click Select, then Copy.
How to type * on a Mac
There is no direct keyboard shortcut for * on a Mac.
For any symbol, the Character Viewer works: press Control+⌘+Space, type "asterisk" in the search box and double-click the result. It will be remembered under Frequently Used.
How to type * on iPhone and iPad
The iOS keyboard does not include *, so the reliable way is to copy it from this page, then press and hold in any text field and tap Paste.
If you use it often, create a shortcut: open Settings → General → Keyboard → Text Replacement, paste * in the Phrase field and type a short code such as ;asterisk in the Shortcut field. Typing that code will then insert * anywhere.
How to type * on Android
Copy the symbol from this page, then long-press in a text field and choose Paste. Gboard also keeps a clipboard history: tap the clipboard icon on the toolbar to paste it again later.
For a permanent shortcut, open Gboard settings → Dictionary → Personal dictionary, add * as the word and a short code as the shortcut.
How to type * in Microsoft Word
- Type the Unicode hex code 002A where you want the symbol.
- Press Alt+X. Word converts the code into *.
This works on Windows in Word, Outlook and OneNote and needs no numeric keypad. You can also go to Insert → Symbol → More Symbols, set the font to a Unicode font and type 002A in the Character code box. In Excel, the formula =UNICHAR(42) returns the symbol.
How to type * in Google Docs
Open Insert → Special characters, then either search for "asterisk" or draw the symbol in the sketch box. Click the result to insert it. In Google Sheets, use =CHAR(42).
* in HTML, CSS and code
| Format | Code |
|---|---|
| HTML entity | * |
| HTML decimal | * |
| HTML hex | * |
CSS content | "\002A" |
| JavaScript | "\u002A" |
| Python | "\u002A" |
| URL encoded | * |
Because * is a standard Unicode character (U+002A), you can also paste it directly into any UTF-8 file. The escaped forms above are only needed when the file encoding is uncertain or the symbol must be entered on a keyboard without it.
Where the asterisk symbol is used
Writers use it to point readers to footnotes, as in "See terms* below." In programming and math, it often stands for multiplication, like "3*4", and in search queries it acts as a wildcard for missing text.
Frequently asked questions
What does an asterisk mean in text? +
It usually signals a footnote, an omission, or emphasis, and in casual writing can indicate a correction of a previous statement.
Why is asterisk used for multiplication? +
Early typewriters and computer keyboards lacked a dedicated multiplication sign, so the asterisk became a practical stand-in in code and math notation.
What is the Alt code for the asterisk symbol? +
The asterisk symbol has no short Alt code. Copy it from this page, or in Word type 002A and press Alt + X.
How do I type * on a Mac? +
There is no dedicated Mac shortcut for *. Open the Character Viewer with Control + Command + Space, search for "asterisk", and double-click it. Or copy it from this page.
How do I type the asterisk symbol on iPhone or Android? +
Phone keyboards do not include * by default. Copy it from this page and paste it, or add it as a text replacement shortcut in Settings so you can type it with a short abbreviation.
What is the HTML code for *? +
Use * in HTML. The numeric form * works too. In CSS use content: "\002A" and in JavaScript use "\u002A".