Complete list of ALT codes and keyboard symbols in Windows: Ultimate Guide

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If you've ever needed to type a special symbol , a letter from another language, a basic emoji, or some other unusual character on your Windows computer, you've probably come across the popular ALT codes . These secret shortcuts give you access to a vast collection of symbols and characters that aren't readily visible on your keyboard. The good news is that you can take full advantage of them to personalize your texts , insert mathematical symbols, or use international letters without having to copy and paste from the internet. Understanding how ALT codes work will save you time and make your typing much easier.

In this guide, you'll find the most complete and detailed list of ALT codes , along with explanations of how to use them, advanced tricks for typing characters from different alphabets, troubleshooting tips, and handy tables for instant reference. Whether you're new to this or looking for an up-to-date and integrated list of codes for Windows and, to a lesser extent, other systems, this guide has everything you need to master the art of typing any symbol on your keyboard.

What are ALT codes and what are they really for?

ALT codes are combinations that allow you to insert special characters , foreign language letters, currency symbols, mathematical symbols, emojis, and more, simply by pressing the ALT key and typing a sequence of numbers on the numeric keypad . They are essential when you want to type something that doesn't appear directly on your keyboard , such as the letter ñ on foreign keyboards, copyright symbols, mathematical symbols, or unusual icons. To expand your knowledge about different character encoding systems, you can learn about ASCII codes.

This feature, inherited from the ASCII standard and expanded with Unicode tables, transforms your keyboard into a much more powerful tool , especially on Windows. And the best part is that it's compatible with most programs and text editors.

In addition to classic symbols and letters, you can also insert simple emojis, Greek characters , or technical symbols, provided you know the corresponding code. This way, you can forget about searching for the special character every time: with a little practice, you can memorize the most useful ones and give your texts a professional touch in seconds. To understand how other insertion methods work, such as using easter eggs , you can explore how hidden functions are integrated into different systems and programs.

How to Use ALT Codes Step by Step: Standard Method and Tricks

The procedure is very simple, but there's a trick to it. You must follow these steps exactly :

• Press and hold the ALT key on your keyboard.
• While holding down ALT, type the desired code number into the numeric keyboard (not on the top row of numbers, but on the numeric keypad on the right; if you're using a laptop and don't have a dedicated keyboard, you'll have to activate the numeric keypad with a combination like Fn+NumLock). If you want to learn other methods for inserting characters, check out What is a decoder?.
• Release the ALT key: the special character will appear instantly.

Important: Some codes require leading zeros (for example, for € you must press ALT+0128, not ALT+128). If the expected symbol does not appear, make sure the numeric keypad is enabled and that you are using the correct numbers.

If you want to go further and type Unicode characters (for example, Greek letters or symbols from other alphabets not included in the standard list), there's an advanced method: enable the "EnableHexNumpad" function in the Windows Registry. After restarting, you can hold down ALT and type the hexadecimal code to get the symbol (for example, ALT + 03BA gives κ, the lowercase Greek kappa). For helpful resources, you can check out what OCR is.

Main tables and categories of ALT codes: what symbols can you type?

The variety of symbols available with ALT codes is enormous. To make it easier for you to find what you're looking for, here are some of the most useful and commonly used categories, along with examples and usage details.

1. Basic symbols and emojis (ALT 1 to 31)

To give your texts a special touch, you can incorporate icons, smileys, and simple symbols using the first codes in the ALT series:

• ALT 1: ☺ (smiley face)
• ALT 2: ☻ (black face)
• ALT 3: ♥ (heart)
• ALT 4: ♦ (diamond)
• ALT 5: ♣ (clover)
• ALT 6: ♠ (stings)
• ALT 7: • (big dot)
• ALT 8: ◘ (black circle)
• ALT 9: ○ (white circle)
• ALT 10: ◙ (double circle)
• …and up to ALT 31 (▼, arrows, various signs)

These symbols are ideal for lists, menus, signatures, or creative messages in any text editor.

2. Standard keyboard letters, numbers, and symbols (ALT 32 to 126)

Are you missing any basic characters? This range includes everything from the space bar (ALT 32) to punctuation marks, numbers, and uppercase and lowercase letters , ending with symbols like ~, |, {, }. This allows you to type any standard character even if your keyboard doesn't support the correct language. If you want to change the style of your text, you can also check out how to hack your console.

3. Currency symbols, legal and special signs

Within the extended tables are currency signs, copyrights and trademarks:

• ALT 0128: € (euro)
• ALT 0162: ¢ (cent)
• ALT 0163: £ (pound sterling)
• ALT 0165: ¥ (yen)
• ALT 0164: ¤ (generic monetary sign)
• ALT 0169: © (copyright)
• ALT 0174: ® (registered trademark)
• ALT 0153: ™ (trademark)

4. Mathematical and technical symbols

If you need to insert mathematical signs, operations , or technical symbols, the ALT list is even more extensive:

• ALT 241: ± (plus-minus)
• ALT 177: ± (variant)
• ALT 248: ° (degree)
• ALT 246: ÷ (division)
• ALT 251: √ (square root)
• ALT 252: ⁿ (superscript n)
• ALT 253: ² (superscript two)
• ALT 179 and 0179: ³ (superscript three)
• ALT 230: µ (mic)
• ALT 242: ≥ (greater than or equal to)
• ALT 243: ≤ (less than or equal to)
• ALT 247: ≈ (approximately equal)
• ALT 240: ≡ (identical to)

5. International letters, accented letters and special characters

Do you work with multiple languages? ALT codes make it easier to type accented vowels, ñ's, diacritics, and other letters specific to other languages :

• ALT 130: é
• ALT 160: á
• ALT 161: í
• ALT 162: ó
• ALT 163: ú
• ALT 164: ñ
• ALT 165: Ñ
• ALT 129: ü
• ALT 154: Ü

Greek letters and science symbols

Letter/Symbol	ALT code
α	OLD 224
Γ	OLD 226
π	OLD 227
σ	OLD 229
µ	OLD 230
Ω	OLD 234
φ	OLD 237

Mathematical symbols and operators

Symbol	ALT code
±	ALT 241/177
√	OLD 251
÷	OLD 246
°	OLD 248
²	OLD 253
³	ALT 179/0179
>=	OLD 242
<=	OLD 243

ASCII and Unicode: Differences and ALT Code Compatibility

The ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange) standard was the starting point for ALT codes. It provides access to the first 127 characters (letters, numbers, and basic symbols), but today there are thousands of characters thanks to the Unicode standard , which covers almost all alphabets and scientific, technical, musical, and mathematical symbols.

However, not all programs or operating systems interpret ALT codes the same way. Some classic ALT codes don't work on other systems or in certain browsers , where it's recommended to copy and paste the symbol or use system shortcuts. On Windows, however, compatibility is very high , and it remains the fastest and most universal solution . To learn more about the advantages of Unicode, you can visit [link to Unicode website].

Other ways to insert special characters: Character Map and shortcuts

If you don't remember the specific ALT code or need to see all the characters in a particular font , you can use the Windows Character Map , a handy utility built into the system. You can open it by searching for "character" in the search bar.

Within the map, you can copy and paste any character from all installed fonts and view the codes for future use. There are also shortcuts in applications like Word, which accept sequences such as "0024 ALT+X" to insert Unicode symbols (for example, the dollar sign $). For more advanced cases, you can consult what an Ink file is.

Advanced: Write Unicode letters and symbols from other alphabets

For advanced users, there's an option to type any Unicode symbol, even if it's not listed in the standard tables. Simply enable the EnableHexNumpad option in the Windows Registry (located in HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Input Method) and type ALT followed by the plus sign (+) and the character's hexadecimal code (for example, ALT + 03BA for κ, the lowercase kappa). To learn more, see [link to relevant documentation].

Frequently asked questions and common mistakes when using ALT codes

• Why doesn't the symbol appear when I type the code? Check that the numeric keypad is activated (Num Lock on), use the numeric pad and not the top row, and check if you need to put zeros in front of the code.
• Can I use ALT codes on macOS? No, but you can use the character viewer or copy and paste symbols; some special Mac shortcuts allow for other symbols.
• Why do some symbols not appear the same in all programs? It depends on the font and system; some symbols are only available in specific fonts or in the Unicode standard.
• Can you write Chinese or Cyrillic symbols? Yes, with Unicode and the advanced method, although compatibility depends on the installed font and the program.
• What do I do if I don't have a numeric keypad? On laptops, it's usually activated with the Fn + key combination; alternatively, you can open the on-screen keyboard from Windows to enter numbers.

The ALT code in context: practical applications and final recommendations

Mastering ALT codes saves you time and gives you the freedom to personalize all kinds of texts , from simple emails to presentations, academic papers, social media posts, or legal documents. It's especially useful if you regularly work in multiple languages, if you're a science, math, or engineering student, or if you simply like your messages to have a personal and professional touch.

Remember that, although very comprehensive tables exist (like the ones you've seen in this article), you don't need to memorize all the codes . The practical approach is to learn the ones you use most often (such as currency symbols, accented vowels, basic emojis, or mathematical symbols) and consult the lists when you need something specific. The combined use of ALT codes, the character map, and Unicode shortcuts will allow you to type any symbol effortlessly from any compatible application on Windows.

You no longer need to search the internet or copy and paste every character. Now you have all the necessary tools and tables to type exactly what you want with your keyboard, using a fast, universal method suitable for both beginners and advanced users. The next time you're missing a symbol, remember: Alt and the appropriate code , and you're good to go.