How to type / on Windows
The solidus 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 "solidus". 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 "solidus" 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 ;solidus 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 002F 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 002F in the Character code box. In Excel, the formula =UNICHAR(47) returns the symbol.
How to type / in Google Docs
Open Insert → Special characters, then either search for "solidus" or draw the symbol in the sketch box. Click the result to insert it. In Google Sheets, use =CHAR(47).
/ in HTML, CSS and code
| Format | Code |
|---|---|
| HTML entity | / |
| HTML decimal | / |
| HTML hex | / |
CSS content | "\002F" |
| JavaScript | "\u002F" |
| Python | "\u002F" |
| URL encoded | %2F |
Because / is a standard Unicode character (U+002F), 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 solidus symbol is used
It appears in dates like 12/25/2025, fractions like 3/4, and web addresses such as example.com/page. It also separates alternatives, as in "yes/no" or "and/or". People sometimes confuse it with the backslash (\), which leans the opposite direction.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a slash and a solidus? +
They refer to the same character; "solidus" is the formal Unicode name while "slash" or "forward slash" is the common everyday term.
Why is it called a forward slash? +
It's called "forward" to distinguish it from the backslash, since the solidus leans forward from bottom left to top right.
What is the Alt code for the solidus symbol? +
The solidus symbol has no short Alt code. Copy it from this page, or in Word type 002F 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 "solidus", and double-click it. Or copy it from this page.
How do I type the solidus 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: "\002F" and in JavaScript use "\u002F".