Complete Guide to ALT Codes, Keyboard Shortcuts & Typographical Symbols
Learn how to insert mathematical notation, currency signs, trademark symbols, and foreign language accents on Windows and macOS. Type faster using ALT numpad combinations or copy characters instantly.
Technical Mechanics: OEM DOS Code Page 437 vs. ANSI Windows-1252
Windows operating systems handle Alt sequences based on whether you include a leading zero:
Non-Zero ALT Codes (OEM / Code Page 437)
Legacy MS-DOS code page mappings (e.g. Alt + 164 for ñ, or Alt + 64 for the @ symbol).
Leading-Zero ALT Codes (ANSI / Windows-1252)
Accesses the extended Western European character registry (e.g. Alt + 0169 for Copyright ©, or Alt + 0128 for the Euro €).
Frequently Used Commercial & Typographic Symbols
| Glyph | Character Description | Windows Shortcut (ALT) | macOS Equivalent (Option / ⌥) |
|---|---|---|---|
| © | Copyright Symbol | Alt + 0169 | Option + G |
| ® | Registered Trademark | Alt + 0174 | Option + R |
| ™ | Unregistered Trademark | Alt + 0153 | Option + 2 |
| ° | Degree Sign (Temperature / Angle) | Alt + 0176 | Option + Shift + 8 |
| — | Em Dash (Parenthetical break) | Alt + 0151 | Option + Shift + - |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How can I type ALT codes without a physical numeric keypad?
- On compact laptop keyboards without a dedicated numpad, you can toggle your Fn key or simply click any character on Listos.app to copy the symbol directly into your clipboard.
- Are these symbols compatible across modern web browsers and mobile apps?
- Yes. All characters are encoded in standard UTF-8 Unicode, guaranteeing seamless rendering across Markdown docs, social media posts, iOS, Android, and web apps.