The hash # is at Shift+3 on a US keyboard. On a UK layout that key gives £, and the hash usually needs Alt+3 on a Mac. Unicode names it Number Sign. It labels a topic on social media, marks a comment in many programming languages, and stands for "number" in older American usage.
01 All shortcuts at a glance
| Platform | Shortcut | |
|---|---|---|
| Standard US keyboard | Press Shift+3 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 "Number Sign" |
|
| Word / Outlook | Type 0023, then press Alt+X |
|
| Linux (IBus) | Ctrl+Shift+U, then 0023, then Enter |
|
| HTML / CSS | # · \0023 (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+3, 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 Number Sign (U+0023).
- Select it, click Copy, then paste where you need it.
Mac
- Press Control+Command+Space to open the Character Viewer.
- Type "Number Sign" in the search field.
- Double-click the result to insert it.
Microsoft Word
- Type 0023.
- 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+266F) | Music sharp sign | The real sharp in music notation. Its strokes are angled, and the hash sign is not a substitute. |
| ＃ (U+FF03) | Fullwidth number sign, sized for CJK text | Correct in Chinese, Japanese or Korean text. A hashtag using it may not group with the plain one. |
| № (U+2116) | Numero sign | The European equivalent of "No." for a number. Common in Russian and much of continental Europe. |
05 FAQ
What is the Unicode code point for the hash?
It is U+0023, decimal 35. Unicode names it Number Sign. The names hash, pound and octothorpe all refer to the same character.
Why does my keyboard type £ instead of #?
You are on a UK layout, where Shift+3 gives the pound sign. On a UK Mac the hash is Option+3. On a UK Windows keyboard it has its own key near Enter.
Is a hashtag the same character as a hash?
Yes. A hashtag is the hash character followed by a word, with no space. The character itself is ordinary U+0023.
Why is it also called the pound sign?
In American usage it marked pounds of weight, as in 5# of flour, and the name carried over to telephone keypads. In Britain "pound sign" means the currency symbol £, which is a frequent source of confusion.
Can a hashtag contain spaces or punctuation?
No. Most platforms end the tag at the first space or punctuation mark, so only the first word is captured. Run the words together and capitalise each one to keep it readable.