In today’s article, you’ll learn about all the available methods and shortcuts you can use to type the Tilde (~) symbol on your keyboard, whether you are using Windows or Mac, and whether you are working with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint or in your browser.
Without any further ado, let’s get started.
But before we begin, you can also use the button below to easily copy and paste the Tilde Sign for free.
Below is an image of a keyboard showing where the Tilde key is located on the keyboard.
However, if copy and paste aren’t what you are looking for, and you cannot also find or type the (~) Symbol key on your keyboard, continue reading below on how you can type the Tilde Sign using some shortcuts.
Table of Contents
Tilde Symbol [~] Quick Help
To type the Tilde (~) symbol on your keyboard, press Shift + ` for both Windows and Mac. Alternatively, press and hold the Alt key and type the Tilde alt code which is126on the numeric keypad, then release the alt key.
| Symbol Name | Tilde |
| Symbol | ~ |
| Alt Code | 126 |
| Windows/Mac Shortcut | Shift + ` |
| Windows Alt Code Shortcut | Alt + 126 |
The above quick guide provides some useful tips on how to type ~ Symbol including shortcuts and alt codes you can use on both Windows and Mac. However, below are some other methods you can also leverage to insert this symbol into your Word document.
5 ways to type the Tilde on Keyboard
Microsoft Office provides several methods for typing or inserting symbols that do not have dedicated keys on the keyboard.
In this section, I will make available for you five different methods you can utilize to type or insert the Tilde Symbol in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or any text editor for both Mac and Windows users.
Without any further ado, let’s get started.
1. Using the Tilde Symbol key on the keyboard
Where is the Tilde Symbol key on the Keyboard?
On most keyboards, the ~ Symbol key is located on the same key as the [`] key. Pressing this key gives you `. In order to type this symbol, press down the shift key before you press on the [`] key.
Thus, the keyboard shortcut for Tilde Symbol is Shift + ` for both Windows and Mac.
2. Using the Tilde Symbol Alt Code (Windows Only)
The Tilde Symbol alt code is126.
Even though this symbol has a dedicated key on most English keyboards, you can also use the Alt Numpad Input Method (AKA Alt Code Method) to type this symbol. This can be done by pressing and holding the Alt key whilst typing the Tilde Symbol Alt code (126) using the numeric keypad.
This method is for Windows only. And your keyboard must also have a numeric keypad.
If you don’t still get it, just obey the following instructions to type the Tilde Symbol using the alt code method:
- Place your insertion pointer where you need the symbol.
- Press and hold the Alt key on your keyboard.
- Whilst holding on to the Alt key, press the symbol’s alt code (126). You must use the numeric keypad to type the alt code. If you are using a laptop without the numeric keypad, this method may not work for you. On some laptops, there’s a hidden numeric keypad which you can enable by pressingFn+NmLkkeystrokes on the keyboard.
- Release the Alt key after typing the Alt code to insert the Symbol into your document.
This is how you may type this symbol in anywhere on your Windows PC using the Alt Code method.
3. Using the Tilde Symbol Shortcut (Windows and Mac)
The keyboard shortcut for Tilde Symbol is Shift + ` for both Windows and Mac. Alternatively, for Windows, use the Alt Code method by pressing down the alt key and typing the alt code of 126 on the numeric keypad.
To type the Tilde Symbol with a shortcut, obey the instructions below:
- First of all, place the insertion pointer where you need to type the Symbol.
- For both Windows and Mac, press and hold theShiftkey and hit once on the [`](Grave Accent) key.
- Alternatively, for windows users, press and hold the alt key and type126on the number pad.
These are the steps you may use to type this symbol in Word, Excel or PowerPoint.
4. Copy and Paste the Tilde Symbol
Another easy way to get the Tilde Symbol on any PC is to use my favorite method: copy and paste.
All you have to do is to copy the symbol from somewhere like a web page or the character map for windows users, and head over to where you need the symbol (say in Word or Excel), then hit Ctrl+V to paste.
Below is the symbol for you to copy and paste into your document. Just select it and press Ctrl+C to copy, switch over to your text editor, place your insertion pointer at the desired location and press Ctrl+V to paste.
~
For windows users, you may also obey the following instructions to copy and paste this [~] and any other symbol using the character map dialog box.
- Click on theStartbutton and search for Character Map. The Character Map app will appear in the search results, click on it to open.
- The Character Map dialog will appear. Click on theAdvanced viewcheckboxto expand the dialog box for more options.
- On the advanced view, typeLow Line in the Search box. This is the official name for the ~ Symbol.
- You should now see only the Tilde Symbol on the character map dialog. Double click on the symbol to select it. Alternatively, click on the Select button.
- After you select the symbol by double`clicking on it, it should appear in the Character to copy: field, then click on theCopybutton to copy the symbol.
- Switch to your Microsoft Word document, place the insertion pointer at the desired location, and press Ctrl+V to paste.
This is how you may use the Character Map dialog to copy and paste any symbol on Windows PC.
5. Using insert Symbol dialog box
The insert symbol dialog box is a library of symbols from where you can insert any symbol into your Word document with just a couple of mouse clicks.
Obey the following steps to insert the Tilde Symbol in Word using the insert symbol dialog box.
- Open your Word document.
- Click to place the insertion pointer where you wish to insert the symbol.
- Go to the Insert tab.
- In the Symbols category, click on the Symbol drop`down and select the More Symbols button.
- The Symbol dialog box will appear. In theSubsetdrop`down list, select Basic Latin to display symbols in that category which includes the Tilde Symbol.
- Select the symbol and click on the Insert button. Alternatively, double click on the symbol to insert it into your Word document.
- Close the dialog.
The symbol will then be inserted exactly where you place the insertion pointer in the beginning.
These are the steps you may use to insert the Tilde Symbol in Word or Excel or PowerPoint using the Symbol library.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are several different methods you can use to type the Tilde Symbol on the keyboard.
Using the shortcuts for both Windows and Mac make the fastest option for this task. Shortcuts are always fast and save time.
Thank you very much for reading this blog.
If you have any suggestion or question to ask about this article, please drop it in the comments below.
FAQs
How do I type a tilde without a key? ›
What to Know. On a Mac: Press Option+N, then type the letter you want to accent. On a Windows PC: Enable Num Lock, press and hold Alt, then type the character's specific number code (see below). iOS or Android device: Press and hold the A, N, or O key on the virtual keyboard, then select the tilde option.
How do you use tilde? ›In phonetics, a tilde is used as a diacritic that is placed above a letter, below it or superimposed onto the middle of it: A tilde above a letter indicates nasalization, e.g. [ã], [ṽ]. A tilde superimposed onto the middle of a letter indicates velarization or pharyngealization, e.g. [ɫ], [z̴].
How do you get tilde symbol? ›What is the Tilde Symbol? A tilde (~) is a typographical mark that resembles a squiggly line. It is a symbol primarily used to provide an accent placed over the Spanish -n and the Portuguese -a and -o.
What is the tilde command? ›The tilde (~) is a Linux "shortcut" to denote a user's home directory. Thus tilde slash (~/) is the beginning of a path to a file or directory below the user's home directory. For example, for user01, file /home/user01/test. file can also be denoted by ~/test.
What does ∼ mean in text? ›In informal writing, a tilde is sometimes used before a number to mean “about” or “approximately.” For example, a sentence that reads I think my dog weighs ~20 pounds means I think my dog weighs about/around 20 pounds. This usage is likely based on the math usage of the tilde symbol to mean an approximate equivalency.
How do you type a letter with a tilde? ›For example, to get the character ñ, press the Ctrl and Shift Keys while pressing the ~ key (tilde key).
What does ∼ mean? ›"∼" is one of many symbols, listed in the Wikipedia article on approximation, used to indicate that one number is approximately equal to another. Note that "approximately equal" is reflexive and symmetric but not transitive. "∼" is one of many symbols used in logic to indicate negation.
How do you type certain symbols? ›To insert an ASCII character, press and hold down ALT while typing the character code. For example, to insert the degree (º) symbol, press and hold down ALT while typing 0176 on the numeric keypad. You must use the numeric keypad to type the numbers, and not the keyboard.
What is Shift F7 used for? ›Shift+F7 Runs a Thesaurus check on the selected word. Shift+F12 Save the open document. Just like Ctrl+S.
What is Ctrl E used for? ›Ctrl + E Aligns the line or selected text to the center of the screen. Ctrl + R Aligns the line or selected text to the right of the screen. Ctrl + M Indent the paragraph. Ctrl + Shift + F Change the font.
What will be the use of Ctrl J? ›
CTRL + J is the shortcut key used to distribute contents evenly between margins in MS word. Simply press the Ctrl + J keys or click anywhere on the paragraph you want to align, then select the Justify button on the Home tab or press the Ctrl + J keys.
What does ✨ mean around words? ›✨ [word] ✨ Putting a word between two sparkles emojis is a way of adding emphasis. For example, if a user is feeling excited about something they might caption their video “I'm feeling ✨ excited✨” ✍️
Is XD a smiley face? ›XD Definitions and Synonyms
an expression used in text messages or e-mails signaling happiness or laughter. XD is an emoticon. X represents closed eyes while D stands for an open mouth.
An emoticon representing a confused, perplexed, or surprised face.
What does >< mean in math? ›This symbol < means less than, for example 2 < 4 means that 2 is less than 4. This symbol > means greater than, for example 4 > 2. ≤ ≥ These symbols mean 'less than or equal to' and 'greater than or equal to' and are commonly used in algebra.
What does € mean in texting? ›In Statistics Explained articles the symbol '€' should be used for euro in the text if it is followed by a number.
What does a :-) mean in text? ›The :-) notation is known as a smiley, and means that the statement it follows was intended as humor. When you tilt your head to the side, you see that : is the eyes, - the optional nose, and ) is the mouth.
How do you type all special characters? ›In your document, position the insertion point where you want the special character to appear. Press and hold down the ALT key while you type the four number Unicode value for the character. Note that NUM LOCK must be on, and you have to use the number pad keys to type the Unicode character value.
Which key help you to type symbols? ›For symbols at the top of a number key, press down the symbol key and then type the symbol. You can use the 'shift' key to type any symbol at the top of a key. The 'caps lock' key allows you to write in capital letters. To turn it on, press it once and type.
What are the 7 special keys in keyboard? ›- Ctrl-S - save.
- Ctrl-O - open.
- Ctrl-N - new.
- Ctrl-C - copy.
- Ctrl-V - paste.
- Ctrl-X - cut.
- Ctrl-Z - undo.
- Ctrl-A - select all.
How do I type a tilde in Spanish? ›
In ASCII, for a lowercase eñe, the numerical code is 164. So, in your word processor, you should press and hold Alt until you finish typing the number 164 in the number pad to get the ñ to appear. To insert an upper case eñe, or Ñ, hold Alt and type 165.
How do I type ñ on my laptop without a numpad or function key? ›If you don't have a Num Lock key, press Fn and F11 keys on your keyboard at the same time to activate the numeric keypad. Afterward, hold down the ALT key and press 164 (alternative: ALT + 0241) and it will produce a small letter “ñ”.
How do you type special letters? ›Inserting ASCII characters
To insert an ASCII character, press and hold down ALT while typing the character code. For example, to insert the degree (º) symbol, press and hold down ALT while typing 0176 on the numeric keypad. You must use the numeric keypad to type the numbers, and not the keyboard.
Press "Alt-X" on the keyboard. The numbers disappear and the letter becomes an "ñ" or an "Ñ."
How do you type special characters without num pads? ›- Open Character Map by clicking the Start button, clicking All Programs, clicking Accessories, clicking System Tools, and then clicking Character Map.
- In the Font list, type or select the font you want to use.
- Click the special character you want to insert into the document.
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How to type Spanish accents on a keyboard with no number pad
- Press the Num Lock button.
- Shift + Num Lock.
- Num Lock + Fn.
- Num Lock + Alt.