How Do I Get The Hashtag Symbol On My Keyboard?

How Do I Get The Hashtag Symbol On My Keyboard?

What's happening with this symbol?

That secondary character setup goes way back to early typewriters, where symbols like #, $, and % were tucked into the corner of number keys. The # symbol didn't really take off until the 2010s, when Twitter and Instagram turned it into a tagging tool. On international keyboards, you might find it on a dedicated key or through different combinations, but the core idea stays the same across layouts.

Here's exactly how to type it

Pick the instructions that match your setup:

1. US QWERTY Keyboard (Windows or Mac)
   • Find the key with both 3 and #—usually the third key from the left in the top number row.
   • Hold down the Shift key.
   • Press the 3/# key once.
   • Let go of both keys to insert the # symbol.
2. UK QWERTY Keyboard (Windows)
   • Hold the Shift key.
   • Press the key labeled with both 3 and #.
   • Release both keys to type the symbol.
3. UK QWERTY Keyboard (Mac)
   • Hold the Option (⌥) key.
   • Press the 3 key.
   • Let go of both keys to insert #.
4. Other ways in word processors
   • Microsoft Word 365 (version 2503 or later, as of 2026): Go to Insert → Symbol → More Symbols → Special Characters → Hash Sign (#) → Insert.
   • Google Docs: Go to Insert → Special Characters, type “number sign” in the search box, then click the # symbol from the results.
   • LibreOffice Writer 7.6+: Go to Insert → Special Character, search for “hash”, and select #.

Still not working? Let's fix it

Try these steps if the hashtag won't show up:

• Double-check your keyboard layout settings:
  • Windows 12: Head to Settings → Time & Language → Language & Region → Keyboard → Add a keyboard. Pick “English (United States)” or “English (United Kingdom)” as needed Microsoft Support.
  • macOS Sequoia (15.x): Open System Settings → Keyboard → Text Input → Edit → Add Keyboard → British or ABC – Extended. Make sure the layout matches your actual keyboard.
• Turn on Num Lock on full-size keyboards:

  If you're using the numeric keypad on a full-size keyboard, hit the Num Lock key to activate it. When Num Lock is off, the keypad might not register Shift + 3 correctly.

• Try your system's symbol picker:

  Operating System	Shortcut
  Windows	Press Windows + . (period) to open the emoji & symbols panel. Switch to the Symbols tab and scroll to find #.
  macOS	Press Control + Command + Space to open the Character Viewer. Type “number sign” in the search box and double-click #.

Keep this from happening again

Follow these simple habits to prevent keyboard symbol headaches:

• Update your operating system regularly. Microsoft and Apple push out quarterly updates that improve keyboard layout detection and accessibility features, which helps prevent symbol mismatches Microsoft Support.
• Match your keyboard to your system layout. Plugging a US layout keyboard into a UK system (or the other way around) will give you £ instead of # when pressing Shift + 3. Use matching layouts for both keyboard and OS to avoid this mess.
• Clean your keyboard regularly. Dust and grime can jam keys or mess with key presses. Use a can of compressed air to blow out debris between the keys, and wipe the surface with a slightly damp microfiber cloth. Skip harsh cleaners that might strip the key coating.