The at sign @ is on every keyboard, at Shift+2 on a US layout. On other layouts it usually needs AltGr, such as AltGr+Q on German and Brazilian keyboards. It separates the user from the host in an email address, and it starts a username on most social platforms.
01 All shortcuts at a glance
| Platform | Shortcut | |
|---|---|---|
| Standard US keyboard | Press Shift+2 directly, it's a printable key, no code needed |
|
| Windows (any app) | Win+. or Win+; emoji/symbol picker, or Character Map (Win+R → charmap) |
|
| Mac | Control+Command+Space to open Character Viewer, search "Commercial At" |
|
| Word / Outlook | Type 0040, then press Alt+X |
|
| Linux (IBus) | Ctrl+Shift+U, then 0040, then Enter |
|
| HTML / CSS | @ · \0040 (CSS) |
02 Step by step, per platform
A real, followable procedure for every platform, not a thin restatement of the shortcut.
Any device (US keyboard)
- Press Shift+2, it's printed on the keycap.
- On other layouts (AZERTY, QWERTZ) the key may be in a different position or need a modifier, use the picker methods below if you can't find it.
Windows
- Open Character Map: Win+R, type charmap, press Enter.
- Search or scroll for Commercial At (U+0040).
- Select it, click Copy, then paste where you need it.
Mac
- Press Control+Command+Space to open the Character Viewer.
- Type "Commercial At" in the search field.
- Double-click the result to insert it.
Microsoft Word
- Type 0040.
- Press Alt+X immediately after, it converts the hex code to @.
03 Characters in this set
04 Troubleshooting & confusables
| Looks like it | But it's actually | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| ＠ (U+FF20) | Fullwidth commercial at, sized for CJK text | Correct inside Chinese, Japanese or Korean text. An email address using it will not validate. |
| (at) | A text substitution, not a character | Written to slow down address-harvesting bots. It is not a real address and will not link. |
| @ from another layout | The same character, a different key | If Shift+2 gives a quotation mark, your layout is not US. Try AltGr+2 or AltGr+Q. |
05 FAQ
What is the Unicode code point for the at sign?
It is U+0040, decimal 64. It is an ASCII character, so it works in every encoding.
Why does my keyboard type " instead of @?
The layout is set to UK or another non-US arrangement, which swaps the two. Change the input language, or use AltGr with the key that carries @ on your physical keyboard.
Where did the at sign come from?
It was a commercial shorthand for "at the rate of" in trade and bookkeeping, which is why its Unicode name is Commercial At. Ray Tomlinson picked it for email addresses in 1971 because it was unused in names.
Can I use @ in a password or a filename?
In a password, yes, and it is a good choice. In filenames it is usually allowed, but avoid it in URLs and email local parts, where it has a reserved meaning.
How do I type @ on a Mac?
Shift+2 on a US layout. On a UK Mac layout it is Option+2. If neither works, open the Character Viewer with Control+Command+Space and search for "commercial at".