How to type ¢ on Windows
The fastest method on a full-size keyboard is the Alt code Alt+0162.
- Make sure Num Lock is on.
- Hold down the Alt key.
- Type 0162 on the numeric keypad (the number row will not work).
- Release Alt. The cent symbol ¢ appears.
No numeric keypad?
Press Win+. to open the emoji panel, choose the Symbols tab (Ω) and search for "cent". Or open Character Map from the Start menu, find ¢, click Select, then Copy.
How to type ¢ on a Mac
Press Option+4 on the US keyboard layout. Hold the modifier keys and tap the final key once.
For any symbol, the Character Viewer works: press Control+⌘+Space, type "cent" 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 ;cent 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 00A2 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 00A2 in the Character code box. In Excel, the formula =UNICHAR(162) returns the symbol.
How to type ¢ in Google Docs
Open Insert → Special characters, then either search for "cent" or draw the symbol in the sketch box. Click the result to insert it. In Google Sheets, use =CHAR(162).
¢ in HTML, CSS and code
| Format | Code |
|---|---|
| HTML entity | ¢ |
| HTML decimal | ¢ |
| HTML hex | ¢ |
CSS content | "\00A2" |
| JavaScript | "\u00A2" |
| Python | "\u00A2" |
| LaTeX | \textcent |
| URL encoded | %C2%A2 |
Because ¢ is a standard Unicode character (U+00A2), 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 cent symbol is used
It appears in price tags and receipts to show small amounts, like "75¢" instead of "$0.75". It's common in US and Canadian pricing, vending machines, and older cash registers. Don't confuse it with the euro sign (€) or the currency generic symbol (¤).
Frequently asked questions
Is the cent symbol still used today? +
Yes, though less often than before. Many prices now use decimal dollar format instead, but ¢ still appears on price tags, gas station signs, and in casual writing.
What does the cent symbol mean in math or science? +
Outside currency, ¢ has no standard mathematical meaning. It's occasionally repurposed in informal notation, but this isn't a recognized convention.
What is the Alt code for the cent symbol? +
The Alt code for ¢ is Alt+0162. Hold Alt, type 0162 on the numeric keypad, then release Alt.
How do I type ¢ on a Mac? +
Press Option+4 on a Mac with the US keyboard layout. You can also open the Character Viewer with Control + Command + Space and search for "cent".
How do I type the cent 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: "\00A2" and in JavaScript use "\u00A2".