Looking to insert a special character (say the copyright symbol) or an accented letter (such as the ever-prevalent é acute in French)? Heard Alt codes would let you turn numbers into special symbols on Windows? Find out here how to enter special characters and international-language letters using Alt codes on Windows.
First, Fish Lighter Than Water
After diving, fish rise, perhaps to the surface, like a hot-air balloon or a submarine. They use gas lighter than water in their swim bladder.
How would that gas get there, though? Should it not have been in the fish all along? Why did it not stop the fish from diving in the first place?
While I ponder how fish can insert oxygen (that’s the gas) into their swim bladder under water with the help of chemistry, let’s find out how to insert special characters into documents under Windows with the help of Alt codes:
How to Enter Special Characters with Alt Codes on Windows
Time needed: 2 minutes
To use an Alt Code to insert a special character on Windows:
- Position the text cursor where you want to insert the character.
- Find the Windows Alt code for the character; see below.
Not for everything: Not all characters available in Windows or all Unicode characters have corresponding Windows Alt codes; for these characters, you can use Unicode code point input.
- Enable the numeric keypad on the keyboard.
Here’s how: Press the Num Lock or NumLock key.
Here’s how you know: The NumLock light will be illuminated on the keyboard when the numeric keypad is active.
No numeric keypad: If your keyboard does not sport a numeric keypad on the right, it is usually best to use a different method of inserting special characters; you can use the Windows touch keyboard to use Alt codes, however (see below). - Press and hold the Alt key.
- Now enter the four-digit Alt code for the character using the numeric keypad.
All the digits: Do include any leading zeros.
Example: Press 0 1 6 9 for the copyright symbol ( © ).
- Let go of the key Alt.
Here’s what happens: The special character will appear at the point of the text cursor.
Find the Alt Code for a Character using Windows Character Map
To find the number combination to insert a character using its Alt code on Windows:
- Open Character Map.
Here’s how: Press Windows to open the Start menu, for example, start typingcharacter mapand open the Character Map application from search results. - Check Advanced view.
- Use the Search for : field to search for a character by its name.
- Click Search.
Browse: Instead of searching, you can also browse the character map for the symbol you seek, of course.
Fonts: Not all fonts include all characters; do change the typeface under Font : to see a potentially different set of characters. - Highlight the character for which you want to find the Alt code.
- See the corresponding Alt code under Keystroke: at the bottom of the window.
Example: If you highlight the copyright symbol, you will see the Alt code Alt+0169; the code to use together with the Alt key is comprised of the four digits following Alt+.
No “Keystroke”: If you do not see a Keystroke: for a character, it cannot be inserted with a Windows Alt code.
How to Enter Special Characters with Alt Codes on Windows: FAQ
Can I use the numbers on top of the keyboard for Windows Alt codes?
No.
The number keys in the row above the letters on the keyboard send different codes to Windows. Alt codes do not work with these numbers.
Can I use the on-screen keyboard to input Alt codes?
Yes.
To use the Windows on-screen keyboard for inserting characters with their Alt codes:
- Bring up the Windows on-screen keyboard.
Here’s how: You can press Windows Ctrl O, for example, to open the on-screen keyboard. - Enable NumLock.
- Turn on sticky keys.
Here’s how: Press Shift five times, then select Yes for Do you want to turn on Sticky Keys.
One-digit Alt codes: You need not turn on sticky keys for Alt codes that have only digit, of course; for these, just press Alt once to apply to the number you will enter. - Press Alt two times so it is enabled throughout the Alt code.
- Use the on-screen numeric keypad to insert the Alt code.
- Press or click Alt to finis the Alt code.
Can I use the Windows touch keyboard for Alt codes?
No.
The Windows touch keyboard does not include a number pad, so it will not let you insert characters using Alt codes.
(How to enter special characters with Alt codes tested with Windows 11 Version 24H2; first published March 2025)