The section sign § is Alt+0167 on Windows and Option+6 on a Mac. It cites a numbered section of a statute, a contract or a rulebook. Two of them, §§, mean more than one section, as in §§ 12 to 15.
01 All shortcuts at a glance
| Platform | Shortcut | |
|---|---|---|
| Windows (Alt code) | Hold Alt, type 0167 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 "Section Sign" |
|
| Word / Outlook | Type 00A7, then press Alt+X |
|
| Linux (IBus) | Ctrl+Shift+U, then 00a7, then Enter |
|
| HTML / CSS | § · \00a7 (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 0167 on the numeric keypad.
- Release Alt, § appears.
Mac
- Press Control+Command+Space to open the Character Viewer.
- Type "Section Sign" in the search field.
- Double-click the result to insert it.
Microsoft Word
- Type 00A7.
- 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+00B6) | Pilcrow, the paragraph sign | Cite a paragraph with ¶ and a numbered section with §. The two are not interchangeable. |
| S with a stroke | A currency symbol from another script | Several currencies use a struck S. The section sign is two interlocking S shapes. |
| Sec. | A written abbreviation | Many house styles spell out the word at the start of a sentence and use § elsewhere. |
05 FAQ
What is the Unicode code point for the section sign?
It is U+00A7, decimal 167. Alt+0167 types it on Windows.
What does §§ mean?
Doubling the symbol makes it plural, so §§ 4 to 9 refers to a run of sections. The same doubling convention applies to the pilcrow for paragraphs.
Is there a space after the section sign?
Yes in most legal styles, as in § 12. Some citation systems close it up, so follow whichever guide your document uses.
What is the symbol called?
The section sign, and informally the double S or the silcrow. In German legal writing it is the Paragraphenzeichen, where it marks what English calls a section.
Where else is it used?
Beyond law it appears in typesetting as the third footnote marker, after the asterisk and the dagger, and in some academic styles for numbered divisions of a text.