How to type ¿ on Windows
The fastest method on a full-size keyboard is the Alt code Alt+0191.
- Make sure Num Lock is on.
- Hold down the Alt key.
- Type 0191 on the numeric keypad (the number row will not work).
- Release Alt. The inverted question mark symbol ¿ appears.
No numeric keypad?
Press Win+. to open the emoji panel, choose the Symbols tab (Ω) and search for "inverted question mark". Or open Character Map from the Start menu, find ¿, click Select, then Copy.
How to type ¿ on a Mac
Press Option+Shift+? 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 "inverted question mark" 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 ;inverted 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 00BF 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 00BF in the Character code box. In Excel, the formula =UNICHAR(191) returns the symbol.
How to type ¿ in Google Docs
Open Insert → Special characters, then either search for "inverted question mark" or draw the symbol in the sketch box. Click the result to insert it. In Google Sheets, use =CHAR(191).
¿ in HTML, CSS and code
| Format | Code |
|---|---|
| HTML entity | ¿ |
| HTML decimal | ¿ |
| HTML hex | ¿ |
CSS content | "\00BF" |
| JavaScript | "\u00BF" |
| Python | "\u00BF" |
| URL encoded | %C2%BF |
Because ¿ is a standard Unicode character (U+00BF), 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 inverted question mark symbol is used
Used at the start of questions in Spanish and some other languages, such as "¿Cómo estás?" or "¿Qué hora es?". It signals a question from the first word, since Spanish word order does not always make this clear. It is sometimes confused with a mirrored regular question mark rather than a distinct character.
Frequently asked questions
Why does Spanish use an upside down question mark? +
Spanish places ¿ at the start of a question so readers know from the beginning that a question is coming, since word order alone doesn't always signal it.
Is the inverted question mark used in English? +
No, standard English does not use ¿. It appears mainly in Spanish and is sometimes borrowed stylistically in informal or bilingual text.
What is the Alt code for the inverted question mark symbol? +
The Alt code for ¿ is Alt+0191. Hold Alt, type 0191 on the numeric keypad, then release Alt.
How do I type ¿ on a Mac? +
Press Option+Shift+? on a Mac with the US keyboard layout. You can also open the Character Viewer with Control + Command + Space and search for "inverted question mark".
How do I type the inverted question mark 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: "\00BF" and in JavaScript use "\u00BF".