How to type ♂ on Windows
The fastest method on a full-size keyboard is the Alt code Alt+11.
- Make sure Num Lock is on.
- Hold down the Alt key.
- Type 11 on the numeric keypad (the number row will not work).
- Release Alt. The male symbol ♂ appears.
No numeric keypad?
Press Win+. to open the emoji panel, choose the Symbols tab (Ω) and search for "male". 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 "male" 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 ;male 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 2642 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 2642 in the Character code box. In Excel, the formula =UNICHAR(9794) returns the symbol.
How to type ♂ in Google Docs
Open Insert → Special characters, then either search for "male" or draw the symbol in the sketch box. Click the result to insert it. In Google Sheets, use =CHAR(9794).
♂ in HTML, CSS and code
| Format | Code |
|---|---|
| HTML entity | ♂ |
| HTML decimal | ♂ |
| HTML hex | ♂ |
CSS content | "\2642" |
| JavaScript | "\u2642" |
| Python | "\u2642" |
| URL encoded | %E2%99%82 |
Because ♂ is a standard Unicode character (U+2642), 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 male symbol is used
It appears on forms and signage to mark male gender, as in "♂/♀", and in biology texts labeling male specimens. Astrologers and astronomers also use it for Mars, and alchemists once used it for iron. It is distinct from ♀, the female symbol.
Frequently asked questions
Where does the male symbol come from? +
It derives from the ancient astrological glyph for the planet Mars, later adopted to denote the male sex in biology and gender contexts.
What does the male symbol mean in biology? +
In biology it labels male organisms in diagrams, pedigrees, and species descriptions, usually paired with ♀ for females.
What is the Alt code for the male symbol? +
The Alt code for ♂ is Alt+11. Hold Alt, type 11 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 "male", and double-click it. Or copy it from this page.
How do I type the male 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: "\2642" and in JavaScript use "\u2642".