English Pound Symbol on Keyboard: How to Insert on Any Device

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Close-up of stacked British pound coins with engraved text, representing wealth and finance.
Credit: pexels.com, Close-up of stacked British pound coins with engraved text, representing wealth and finance.

The English pound symbol is a versatile character that can be used in various contexts, from financial transactions to everyday writing. You can insert it on your keyboard, but the method may vary depending on your device.

On Windows devices, you can access the pound symbol by pressing the Alt key and typing 0163 using the numeric keypad. This will insert the symbol into your document.

The pound symbol is commonly used in the UK and other countries to represent the value of one pound. It's also used in writing to indicate a unit of measurement or a strong emphasis.

Typing the Pound Symbol

Typing the Pound Symbol is a breeze on most devices. You can find the £ sign on the numbers and symbols keyboard on both iOS and Android devices.

On an iPhone, you can access the pound sign by switching to the numbers and symbols keyboard and either tapping the “#+=” button or holding down the dollar ($) sign.

Bitcoin coin standing in front of a 100 dollar bill, symbolizing cryptocurrency and traditional currency themes.
Credit: pexels.com, Bitcoin coin standing in front of a 100 dollar bill, symbolizing cryptocurrency and traditional currency themes.

If you're using a Windows PC, you can use the Shift + 3 shortcut on a UK keyboard or Shift + Alt + 3 on a US keyboard to insert the symbol.

Alternatively, you can hold the Alt key and type 163 on the numeric keypad to get the British pound sign.

Here are some keyboard shortcuts to insert the pound symbol on different devices:

On a Mac, you can use the Option + 3 shortcut on a US keyboard or Shift + 3 on a UK keyboard to insert the £ sign.

Typing in Windows

In Windows, you can type the pound symbol using a few different methods.

If you have a UK keyboard, you can simply press the Shift key and the 3 key to insert the symbol.

For US and other keyboard layouts, you can use the Shift + Alt + 3 or Shift + Alt + 4 keys to type £.

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You can also hold the Alt key and type 163 to make the British pound sign £. If 163 doesn't work, try using 0 in the front like Alt + 0163.

Here's a quick reference guide to help you remember the Alt codes:

In Word documents, you can type 00A3 and press Alt + X keys together to convert into the pound symbol.

Typing on a Mac

Typing on a Mac is relatively straightforward, especially when you know the keyboard shortcut. Hold down Option and tap the number 3 to get the British pound sign.

There are two main ways to insert the pound sign on a Mac. You can use the keyboard shortcut or the Character Viewer.

If you're already familiar with the keyboard layout, you might find it easier to use the keyboard shortcut. It's a simple combination of keys that gets the job done.

To access the Character Viewer, head to the Edit menu and click on Emoji & Symbols. From there, you can browse through various symbols, including the pound sign.

Inserting Symbols in Word

From above closeup of contemporary portable computer keyboard with words and symbols on black keys
Credit: pexels.com, From above closeup of contemporary portable computer keyboard with words and symbols on black keys

You can insert the pound sign in Microsoft Word using a few different methods. One way is to hold the Alt key and type the numbers 0163 on the numeric keypad.

If your keyboard doesn't have a dedicated pound key, you can use the Alt key and type the numbers 156 while the Num Lock key is pressed.

To make inserting the pound sign easier, you can adjust your AutoCorrect options to automatically replace a word like "pound" with the £ symbol.

Using Alt Code Shortcuts

If you're on a Windows computer, you can use Alt codes to insert the pound symbol.

To do this, hold down the Alt key and press 0163. This will insert the pound sign £.

Alternatively, you can use the Alt code shortcut 00A3 + Alt + X in Microsoft Word.

If you're on a Mac, you can use the Option + 00A3 shortcut to insert the pound symbol.

Here's a quick reference table for Alt code shortcuts:

Remember to type the numbers one after the other, without holding them down, for the Alt code shortcut to work.

Insert Currency in Mobile

Close-up of assorted British pound coins scattered on a white surface, highlighting financial themes.
Credit: pexels.com, Close-up of assorted British pound coins scattered on a white surface, highlighting financial themes.

Inserting the pound symbol on your mobile device is easier than you think.

On Android, iOS, and iPadOS, you can insert £ by holding the $ key for a long time. This will show a pop-up of currency symbols like euro, cent, and pound.

You'll be able to choose from a range of symbols, including the pound, fullwidth pound, and banknote with pound sign emoji.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is shift 3 the pound sign?

No, Shift + 3 is not the pound sign on all keyboards, but it is on standard UK and some European keyboards. On US keyboards, Shift + 3 produces the # symbol.

Antoinette Cassin

Senior Copy Editor

Antoinette Cassin is a seasoned copy editor with over a decade of experience in the field. Her expertise lies in medical and insurance-related content, particularly focusing on complex areas such as medical malpractice and liability insurance. Antoinette ensures that every piece of writing is clear, accurate, and free of legal and grammatical errors.

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