How to type # on Windows
The number sign 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 "number 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 "number 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 ;number 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 0023 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 0023 in the Character code box. In Excel, the formula =UNICHAR(35) returns the symbol.
How to type # in Google Docs
Open Insert → Special characters, then either search for "number sign" or draw the symbol in the sketch box. Click the result to insert it. In Google Sheets, use =CHAR(35).
# in HTML, CSS and code
| Format | Code |
|---|---|
| HTML entity | # |
| HTML decimal | # |
| HTML hex | # |
CSS content | "\0023" |
| JavaScript | "\u0023" |
| Python | "\u0023" |
| URL encoded | %23 |
Because # is a standard Unicode character (U+0023), 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 number sign symbol is used
On social media it groups posts by topic, as in #ThrowbackThursday, while in text it can mean number, like Item #4. Programmers use it for comments in Python (# note) or preprocessor directives in C (#include). It's distinct from the musical sharp sign (♯), which has a taller, slanted design.
Frequently asked questions
Why is # called a hashtag? +
When used on social media before a word or phrase to tag content by topic, the number sign is called a hashtag, a term combining hash and tag.
Is # the same as the pound sign? +
In the US, # is often called the pound sign because it once denoted pounds weight, unrelated to the British currency symbol £.
What is the Alt code for the number sign symbol? +
The number sign symbol has no short Alt code. Copy it from this page, or in Word type 0023 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 "number sign", and double-click it. Or copy it from this page.
How do I type the number 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: "\0023" and in JavaScript use "\u0023".