How to type ¤ on Windows
The fastest method on a full-size keyboard is the Alt code Alt+0164.
- Make sure Num Lock is on.
- Hold down the Alt key.
- Type 0164 on the numeric keypad (the number row will not work).
- Release Alt. The generic currency sign symbol ¤ appears.
No numeric keypad?
Press Win+. to open the emoji panel, choose the Symbols tab (Ω) and search for "generic currency sign". 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 "generic currency sign" 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 ;generic 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 00A4 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 00A4 in the Character code box. In Excel, the formula =UNICHAR(164) returns the symbol.
How to type ¤ in Google Docs
Open Insert → Special characters, then either search for "generic currency sign" or draw the symbol in the sketch box. Click the result to insert it. In Google Sheets, use =CHAR(164).
¤ in HTML, CSS and code
| Format | Code |
|---|---|
| HTML entity | ¤ |
| HTML decimal | ¤ |
| HTML hex | ¤ |
CSS content | "\00A4" |
| JavaScript | "\u00A4" |
| Python | "\u00A4" |
| URL encoded | %C2%A4 |
Because ¤ is a standard Unicode character (U+00A4), 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 generic currency sign symbol is used
It appears mainly in fonts, character encoding tables, and price templates where a specific currency symbol like $ or € hasn't been chosen yet, such as "¤99.99". It's rarely used in everyday writing and is sometimes confused with the yen or euro symbols due to its similar box-like shape.
Frequently asked questions
What does the currency sign ¤ mean? +
It's a neutral placeholder representing an unspecified currency, used mainly in software or typography before a specific symbol like $ or € is applied.
Is ¤ an actual currency used anywhere? +
No, it doesn't represent any real currency. It's a generic symbol reserved for technical or design use, not for actual monetary transactions.
What is the Alt code for the generic currency sign symbol? +
The Alt code for ¤ is Alt+0164. Hold Alt, type 0164 on the numeric keypad, then release Alt.
How do I type ¤ on a Mac? +
There is no dedicated Mac shortcut for ¤. Open the Character Viewer with Control + Command + Space, search for "generic currency sign", and double-click it. Or copy it from this page.
How do I type the generic currency sign 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: "\00A4" and in JavaScript use "\u00A4".