The copyright symbol © is Alt+0169 on Windows and Option+G on a Mac. Word and Google Docs also turn (c) into it automatically. A full notice is the symbol, the year of first publication and the owner, as in © 2026 Example Ltd.
01 All shortcuts at a glance
| Platform | Shortcut | |
|---|---|---|
| Windows (Alt code) | Hold Alt, type 0169 on the numpad |
|
| Windows (any app) | Win+. or Win+; emoji/symbol picker, or Character Map (Win+R → charmap) |
|
| Mac | Control+Command+Space to open Character Viewer, search "Copyright Symbol" |
|
| Word / Outlook | Type 00A9, then press Alt+X |
|
| Linux (IBus) | Ctrl+Shift+U, then 00a9, then Enter |
|
| HTML / CSS | © · \00a9 (CSS) |
02 Step by step, per platform
A real, followable procedure for every platform, not a thin restatement of the shortcut.
Windows
- Make sure Num Lock is on.
- Hold Alt and type 0169 on the numeric keypad.
- Release Alt, © appears.
Mac
- Press Control+Command+Space to open the Character Viewer.
- Type "Copyright Symbol" in the search field.
- Double-click the result to insert it.
Microsoft Word
- Type 00A9.
- 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+24B8) | Circled capital C, an enclosed letter | Part of the enclosed alphanumerics block. It is not the legal symbol and may not render. |
| (c) | Three ASCII characters | A plain-text fallback. Courts have accepted it, but the real symbol is preferred. |
| ℗ (U+2117) | Sound recording copyright | The separate mark for a recording rather than the underlying work. |
05 FAQ
What is the Unicode code point for the copyright symbol?
It is U+00A9, decimal 169. In HTML you can also write ©.
Do I need the symbol to hold copyright?
No. Under the Berne Convention protection is automatic on creation in almost every country. The notice still helps, because it identifies the owner and makes an infringement harder to call innocent.
What year should the notice show?
The year of first publication. A work updated over time often shows a range, as in © 2019 to 2026, covering the first and the most recent version.
What is the difference between © and ℗?
The © covers the underlying work, such as the composition or the text. The ℗ at U+2117 covers a particular sound recording of it. An album can carry both, held by different parties.
Is (c) legally equivalent to ©?
It is widely understood and generally accepted, but it is not the form named in the statutes. Use the real symbol wherever your software can produce it.