Need the © symbol but can’t find it on your keyboard? You’re not alone, it’s one of the most searched symbols out there. Good news, typing it takes two seconds and there’s even a one-click copy button if you’re in a rush.
Copyright Symbol Quick Reference
| Symbol | © |
|---|---|
| Name | Copyright Sign |
| Windows Alt Code | Alt + 0169 |
| Mac Shortcut | Option + G |
| Unicode | U+00A9 |
| HTML Entity | © |
| HTML Decimal | © |
What Is the Copyright Symbol?
The © symbol is used to denote a piece of work as copyrighted and is often found on websites, books, images and videos as seen below. Usually alongside the year and the owner’s name i.e. “© 2026 Afcreationz”. It does not officially register a piece of work as copyrighted but rather puts the world on notice that you claim ownership.
How to Type © on Windows
Here are three ways to type © on your Windows PC:
- Method 1: Alt code © (quickest method) – 1. Navigate to where you wish to type © 2. Hold Alt 3. Type 0169 on your number pad 4. Release Alt
- Method 2: Character Map – 1. Search for “Character Map” in the Start menu 2. Find and click © then select Copy 3. Paste © using Ctrl+V
- Method 3: Emoji panel – 1. Press Win + . (period) 2. Search for “copyright” 3. Click ©
How to Type © on Mac
To type © on your Mac simply press Option + G. This will add the © symbol wherever your cursor is.
How to Type © in Microsoft Word
- Method 1: Type (c) and Word will correct it to ©
- Method 2: Alt + 0169
- Method 3: Type 00A9 then press Alt+X
- Method 4: Insert > Symbol > find © > Insert
How to Type © in Excel & PowerPoint
To type © in both Excel and PowerPoint you can: Type (c) and it will auto-correct to © / Use Alt +0169 / Insert > Symbol > find © > Insert
How to Type © in Google Docs & Sheets
In Docs: Insert > Special characters > search for copyright
In Sheets: Insert > Special characters > search for copyright
How to Type © on Chromebook
To type the copyright symbol on a Chromebook press Ctrl + Shift + U and then type 00A9 and press Enter.
How to Type © on iPhone & Android
On iPhone: Press 123 then #+= and you’ll find © on the symbols page
On Android: Press ?123 then = and you’ll find ©
How to Type © in HTML
| Code | Copyright Symbol |
|---|---|
| Named entity | © |
| Decimal | © |
| Hex | © |
How to Type © in CSS, JavaScript & Python
| CSS | Javascript | Python |
|---|---|---|
.footer::before { content: "\00A9"; } |
const s = "\u00A9"; |
s = "\u00A9"; |
Troubleshooting
- If Alt + 0169 isn’t working ensure Num Lock is ON and that you’re using the separate number pad, not the number row at the top of your keyboard
- If you don’t have a number pad you can use the Fn key overlay or simply copy the symbol from above
- If Option + G is not working on your Mac check your settings in System Settings > Keyboard > Input Sources
- If you’re seeing squares or strange symbols instead of © it could be that your default font is not Arial or Times New Roman, change it in your settings
- If none of the above methods are working – copy © from the top of this page
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the copyright symbol?
The © symbol, or copyright sign (U+00A9), marks a work as claimed under copyright. It is usually written as © year owner, for example © 2026 Afcreationz.
How do I type © on Windows?
Hold Alt and type 0169 on the numeric keypad, then release Alt. You can also press Win + ., search for copyright, and click the symbol.
How do I type © on Mac?
Press Option + G on a Mac. The © appears instantly in any app, wherever your cursor happens to be.
What is the Alt code for ©?
The Alt code is 0169. Make sure Num Lock is on and use the number pad — the number row above the letters will not work.
What is the Unicode for ©?
The Unicode code point is U+00A9. In HTML you can write it as © or ©.
How do I type © on iPhone?
On iPhone, tap 123, then #+=, and you will find © on the symbols page. On Android, tap ?123, then =\<, and look for ©.
How do I type © in HTML?
Use the named entity © in your HTML code. The decimal © and hex © versions render identically.
Does © give me legal copyright?
No. Copyright exists automatically the moment you create an original work — the © is only a notice of your claim. Official registration gives stronger legal protection but is a separate step.
What’s the difference between © and ®?
© marks copyright in creative works like text, photos, and music. ® marks a trademark registered with a government office, and you may only use it after registration.
Can I use © on social media?
Yes, © works fine in bios, captions, and posts on every major platform. Type it with a shortcut or paste it like any other character.
Conclusion
Fastest way to type © is Alt+0169 for Windows and Option+G for Mac. To use in code: © for HTML or U+00A9 for other programming languages.