Special Character Keyboard Shortcuts

Utilities Client-side keyboard shortcuts special characters windows macos linux unicode alt codes

This tool runs entirely client-side, in your browser: your data is never sent anywhere.

What it does

This tool is a searchable reference of keyboard shortcuts used to type special characters (accented letters, currency symbols, punctuation, math symbols, emoji picker, etc.) on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Pick your operating system, search for a character or its name, and get the exact key combination to type it.

Everything runs entirely in your browser — the character list is bundled with the page, nothing is sent anywhere.

Try it

How it works

Each OS has its own input method for special characters:
Windows: numeric Alt codes (hold Alt, type digits on the numpad) and the built-in Emoji panel (Win + . or Win + ;).
macOS: the Option (⌥) key combined with a letter, and the built-in Character Viewer (Ctrl + Cmd + Space).
Linux (GTK/most desktops): the Compose key sequences (if enabled) and the universal Ctrl + Shift + U followed by the Unicode hex code, then Enter or Space.
The search box filters by character, name, or Unicode code point, and instantly re-renders the matching rows for the selected OS.
Data is a static list embedded in script.js — no network requests, no server component.

Common characters cheat sheet

Character	Name	Windows	macOS	Linux
é	e acute	`Alt` + `0233`	`Option` + `e`, then `e`	`Ctrl+Shift+U` `e9` `Enter`
€	Euro sign	`Alt` + `0128`	`Option` + `Shift` + `2`	`Ctrl+Shift+U` `20ac` `Enter`
©	Copyright	`Alt` + `0169`	`Option` + `g`	`Ctrl+Shift+U` `a9` `Enter`
®	Registered	`Alt` + `0174`	`Option` + `r`	`Ctrl+Shift+U` `ae` `Enter`
™	Trademark	`Alt` + `0153`	`Option` + `2`	`Ctrl+Shift+U` `2122` `Enter`
°	Degree	`Alt` + `0176`	`Option` + `Shift` + `8`	`Ctrl+Shift+U` `b0` `Enter`
ñ	n tilde	`Alt` + `0241`	`Option` + `n`, then `n`	`Ctrl+Shift+U` `f1` `Enter`
ü	u umlaut	`Alt` + `0252`	`Option` + `u`, then `u`	`Ctrl+Shift+U` `fc` `Enter`
—	Em dash	`Alt` + `0151`	`Option` + `Shift` + `-`	`Ctrl+Shift+U` `2014` `Enter`
…	Ellipsis	`Alt` + `0133`	`Option` + `;`	`Ctrl+Shift+U` `2026` `Enter`
😀	Emoji picker	`Win` + `.`	`Ctrl` + `Cmd` + `Space`	`Ctrl` + `.` (varies)

Notes

Windows Alt codes require a numeric keypad (or NumLock enabled on a laptop's embedded keypad) — they generally do not work by typing digits on the top row.
On macOS, sequences like Option + e then e are dead keys: the first combo selects the diacritic, the second key is the base letter.
On Linux, the Ctrl+Shift+U method works in GTK-based apps (GNOME, most text editors, Firefox address bar...) but may not work in every application; the Compose key (if configured) is often more reliable and consistent across the whole desktop.
This list covers the most frequently requested characters for IT support tickets — it is not fully exhaustive of Unicode.