The semicolon ; has its own key on every standard layout, next to the L on a US keyboard. In writing it joins two statements that could each stand alone but belong together. In programming it usually ends a statement, which makes a missing one a common cause of a syntax error.
01 All shortcuts at a glance
| Platform | Shortcut | |
|---|---|---|
| Standard US keyboard | Press ; key (no shift) 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 "Semicolon" |
|
| Word / Outlook | Type 003B, then press Alt+X |
|
| Linux (IBus) | Ctrl+Shift+U, then 003b, then Enter |
|
| HTML / CSS | ; · \003b (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 ; key (no shift), 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 Semicolon (U+003B).
- Select it, click Copy, then paste where you need it.
Mac
- Press Control+Command+Space to open the Character Viewer.
- Type "Semicolon" in the search field.
- Double-click the result to insert it.
Microsoft Word
- Type 003B.
- 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+037E) | Greek question mark | Identical in most fonts and a real hazard. It is a question mark in Greek, not a semicolon. |
| : (U+003A) | Colon, a different mark | A colon introduces what follows. A semicolon joins two things of equal weight. |
| , (U+002C) | Comma | A comma cannot join two complete sentences on its own. That error is called a comma splice. |
05 FAQ
What is the Unicode code point for the semicolon?
It is U+003B, decimal 59. The Greek question mark at U+037E looks the same in most fonts but is a separate character.
When should I use a semicolon instead of a full stop?
Use it when the two statements are so closely linked that a full stop would feel like too hard a break. Either half must still work as a complete sentence on its own.
What is a semicolon used for in a list?
It separates items that already contain commas, which keeps the grouping clear. It is the standard fix for a list of places, titles or descriptions where plain commas become ambiguous.
Why does my code say "expected semicolon"?
The parser reached the end of a statement without one. Check the line above the reported error as well, since the real omission is often on the previous line.
Do all programming languages need semicolons?
No. C, Java, PHP and Rust require them. Python and Ruby end statements with the line break instead. JavaScript inserts them automatically in most cases, though many style guides still ask you to write them.