.appPound sign (£) on the keyboard
On a UK keyboard, £ is Shift + 3, on Windows and on a Mac. With the US layout on Windows, hold Alt and type 0163 on the numeric keypad; on a Mac with the U.S. layout, press Option + 3.
- £pound sign
Ways to type it on Windows and Mac
| System | Method | Keys |
|---|---|---|
| Windows, UK layout | Key on the keyboard | Shift + 3 |
| Windows, US layout | Alt code | Alt + 0163 on the numeric keypad |
| Windows 11 | Symbols panel | Win + period, then the Symbols tab |
| Word for Windows | Character code | Type 00A3, then press Alt + X |
| Mac, U.S. layout | Keyboard shortcut | Option + 3 |
| Mac, British layout | Key on the keyboard | Shift + 3 |
| Mac | Character Viewer | Ctrl + Cmd + Space, then search for “pound” |
Press the shortcut on your keyboard - the keys light up on the drawing and the row with the character is highlighted in the table.
£ on a laptop: Win + period opens the symbols panel
Shortcuts for related characters
| Character | Name | Windows | Mac | Copy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | pound sign | Alt + 0163 (numeric keypad) | Option + 3 | |
| # | number sign (hash) | Shift + 3 | Shift + 3 | |
| € | euro sign | Alt + 0128 (numeric keypad) | Option + Shift + 2 | |
| $ | dollar sign | Shift + 4 | Shift + 4 |
Mac shortcuts in the table are for the U.S. layout.
Pound sign or hash?
In the US, “pound sign” often means # - the key on a phone keypad. On a US keyboard, # is Shift + 3. The British pound sign is £.
On a UK keyboard in Windows, # has its own key, next to Enter. On a Mac with the British layout, # is Option + 3.
Shift + 3 gives # instead of £?
Your computer uses the US layout. In Windows 11, add the UK layout: Settings → Time & language → Language & region → the three dots next to your language → Language options → Add a keyboard → United Kingdom. Switch between layouts with Win + Space.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the Alt code for the pound sign?
- Alt + 0163. Hold the left Alt key, type 0163 on the numeric keypad with Num Lock on, then release Alt.
- How do I type £ on a Mac?
- Option + 3 with the U.S. layout. With the British layout, it’s Shift + 3, and Option + 3 gives #.
- Why does Shift + 3 give # instead of £?
- Your keyboard is set to the US layout, where Shift + 3 is #. Switch to the UK layout with Win + Space, if it’s installed, or use Alt + 0163.
Shortcuts without looking
Touch typists press Shift and Alt with the same finger every time, without glancing at the keys. Check your speed in the free test or start the course from the first lesson.