How to Type Currency Symbols (€ £ ¥) on Any Device

Have you ever needed to type a €, £, or ¥ and had no idea where to find it on your keyboard? You’re not alone. These symbols aren’t always clearly marked, especially if you’re using a laptop or a mobile device with regional settings.

Whether you’re sending an invoice, making travel plans, or just chatting about prices with friends overseas, knowing how to quickly type different currency symbols can be a real timesaver — and make you look like a tech whiz in the process.

Here’s your step-by-step guide to typing currency symbols on Mac, Windows PCs, iPhones, and Android devices — no matter what keyboard layout you’re working with.

💻 For Mac Users

Macs make it relatively easy to type most common currency symbols — if you know the right key combinations.

Keyboard shortcuts:

  • Euro (€): Press Option (⌥) + Shift + 2

  • Pound (£): Press Option (⌥) + 3

  • Yen (¥): Press Option (⌥) + Y

💡 Bonus Tip:

Open the Emoji & Symbols Viewer by pressing Control + Command + Space. From there, just type the name of the symbol (like “euro” or “yen”) and insert it with a click. You can even favourite commonly used symbols for easy access later.

If you’re writing in different languages or dealing with multiple currencies, this viewer can be a goldmine — it includes symbols for rupees (₹), won (₩), and more.

🖥️ For Windows Users (All Keyboard Types)

A lot of guides suggest using Alt codes on Windows (like Alt + 0128 for €), but those only work if you have a numeric keypad — which many laptops don’t.

So here’s the easiest, universal method:

✅ Use the Character Map tool:

  1. Press Windows Key + R

  2. Type charmap and press Enter

  3. Browse for your desired symbol (€, £, ¥, etc.)

  4. Click it, hit Copy, and paste it wherever you need

You can also check the “Advanced View” box to search by name (e.g., type “euro”) — super handy when you don’t want to scroll.

📱 iPhone & iPad Users

Typing currency symbols on your iPhone or iPad is surprisingly easy once you know this little trick:

  1. Tap the 123 key on your keyboard to bring up numbers and symbols

  2. Then press and hold the $ symbol — a pop-up will appear with options like €, £, ¥

  3. Slide your finger to the one you want and release

This long-press shortcut is great for typing on the go — no need to switch keyboards or copy/paste from elsewhere.

🤖 For Android Devices

Just like on iOS, Android keyboards offer hidden currency options with a long press:

  1. Tap the ?123 key to switch to the symbol keyboard

  2. Press and hold the $ sign

  3. A menu of alternative symbols will appear — simply slide and release to select

Note: If you don’t see many options, check if your keyboard app is Gboard or Samsung Keyboard — both offer full symbol support, but you may need to enable additional languages or symbol sets in your settings.

📝 Bonus Tekkie Tip: Save Time with Shortcuts

If you frequently use certain currency symbols (like € in pricing documents, or ¥ for business correspondence), consider these time-saving tricks:

  • On iPhone/iPad, set up a keyboard shortcut:
    Go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Text Replacement, and create a shortcut like typing :eur to insert the € symbol.

  • On Android, look for clipboard or dictionary tools in your keyboard app to save commonly used items.

  • On Mac, you can create a text replacement in System Settings > Keyboard > Text Replacements.

  • On Windows, try a third-party clipboard manager like Ditto or PhraseExpress to store and reuse your symbols.

Why Bother With Currency Symbols?

Aside from making your messages and documents look more professional, using the correct symbols also helps reduce confusion — especially in international conversations. After all, $100 can mean very different things in Australia, the US, or Canada!

By taking a few minutes to learn where to find these symbols, you’ll save time, communicate more clearly, and boost your tech confidence.

By on May 12, 2025