What Are Alt Codes? A Beginner’s Guide

Introduction

Have you ever wanted to type a heart (♥), a degree symbol (°), or a currency sign (¥) using just your keyboard? That’s where Alt codes come in. Alt codes are a simple and powerful way to type characters and symbols that don’t appear on your regular keyboard layout.

Whether you’re writing a social media bio, editing a document, or customizing a username, Alt codes can save time and make your text look polished. In this beginner-friendly guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know — what Alt codes are, how to use them, and how they work across different platforms.

What Are Alt Codes?

Alt codes are keyboard shortcuts that allow you to enter special characters and symbols by holding down the Alt key and typing a numeric code on your number pad.

These codes were originally designed for Windows operating systems and rely on ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange) or Unicode encoding standards. They can produce characters like:

• ☺ (Alt + 1)

• ♥ (Alt + 3)

• ® (Alt + 0174)

• © (Alt + 0169)

These symbols are useful for everything from formal documents to eye-catching tweets.

Why Use Alt Codes?

Here are a few reasons why Alt codes are so useful:

• 🖥 No extra software required — Works natively in Windows.

• ✍️ Great for formatting — Add visual flair to text, emails, or bios.

• 📄 Saves time — No need to search or copy-paste special characters.

• 🧩 Versatile — Use in Microsoft Word, Excel, Google Docs, browsers, and even chat applications.

Alt codes are especially helpful for typing symbols you use regularly — such as copyright signs, mathematical symbols, accented characters, arrows, and decorative shapes.

How to Use Alt Codes

To enter an Alt code:

1. Make sure Num Lock is ON.
   (This enables the numeric keypad on the right of your keyboard.)

2. Hold down the Alt key.

3. Type the numeric code for the symbol on the numeric keypad.
   (Do not use the number row at the top of the keyboard.)

4. Release the Alt key.
   The symbol should appear instantly.

Example:

• Alt + 3 → ♥

• Alt + 0176 → °

• Alt + 0162 → ¢

✅ Pro Tip: Some Alt codes require leading zeroes (like Alt + 0176 instead of Alt + 176) to properly produce extended ASCII or Unicode characters.

Common Alt Codes (with Examples)

Here are some of the most popular Alt codes:

👉 For a full categorized list of alt codes, visit our Complete Alt Codes List page.

Devices and Compatibility

Alt codes are mainly supported on:

• ✅ Windows Desktops & Laptops

• ❌ macOS (Use Option + key combos instead)

• ❌ Mobile devices (Alt codes won’t work; use copy-paste instead)

What If I Don’t Have a Numpad?

Many modern laptops don’t have a dedicated numeric keypad. Here are a few ways to work around this:

🧠 Method 1: Use the On-Screen Keyboard

• Open the Windows On-Screen Keyboard

• Enable the numeric pad by clicking Options > Turn on numeric keypad

• Then use Alt + code with your mouse

💻 Method 2: Use Fn + Num Lock (Laptop Shortcut)

• Some laptops allow you to convert a portion of the keyboard into a number pad using the Fn key.

Troubleshooting Alt Codes

If Alt codes aren’t working for you, try the following:

• 🔒 Ensure Num Lock is ON

• 🔧 Try typing Alt codes in a basic app like Notepad

• 💻 Make sure you’re using the numeric keypad, not top-row numbers

• 🧪 Some software or browsers may override Alt behavior — try a different program

Real-World Use Cases

You can use Alt codes for a wide range of applications:

✏️ In Word Documents

Add degrees (°), currency signs (¥, €), bullets (•), etc.

💬 In Social Media

Add flair to your bios or posts:

• Alt + 13 → ♪ for music pages

• Alt + 15 → ☼ for summer-themed content

📝 In Usernames

Spice up gamertags or handles with symbols like:

• ☻ (Alt + 2)

• ▲ (Alt + 30)

• ★ (Alt + 9733 with Unicode)

Related Symbol Pages

Linking internally will help users (and Google!) find your best content:

• 💘 Heart Symbols — Add love to your messages

• 🔀 Arrow Symbols — Perfect for lists and direction

• 💱 Currency Symbols — Euro, Yen, Pound & more

• ✅ Bullet Points & Checkmarks Symbols — For formatting notes

• 📜 Full Alt Code Table — Master list of everything

Final Thoughts

Alt codes are a simple but powerful tool for anyone who types — whether you’re a student, content creator, gamer, or just someone who wants to express themselves better online. With a little practice, you can type dozens of useful symbols right from your keyboard without copy-pasting.

So go ahead — try a few out, and explore our full Alt Code Symbol Library to enhance your writing!