How to type an asterisk on any device
On almost every computer keyboard, press Shift + 8. On a phone, open the symbols keyboard (123 on iPhone, ?123 on Android). The guides below cover every device and app, plus the fancier asterisks that aren't on any keyboard.
Quick reference
| Where | How to type * |
|---|---|
| Mac | Shift + 8 |
| Windows | Shift + 8, or Alt + 42 on the number pad |
| Chromebook | Shift + 8 |
| Linux | Shift + 8 |
| iPhone and iPad | Tap 123, then #+=, then * |
| Android | Tap ?123; * is on the first symbols page of most keyboards |
| Any keyboard with a number pad | The * key above the 9 |
These are for US and UK layouts. On other layouts the asterisk moves. On a German keyboard, for example, it's Shift + the + key. If you can't find it, the Mac and Windows guides show how to open an on-screen map of your current layout.
Guides by device and app
- MacPress Shift + 8 to type an asterisk on a Mac. Here's how to type fancy asterisks like ✱ and ⁂ with Character Viewer, Unicode Hex Input and text replacements.
- WindowsPress Shift + 8 or Alt + 42 to type an asterisk on Windows. Here's how to get fancy asterisks like ✱ and ⁂ with the symbol panel, Character Map and Word.
- iPhone & iPadTo type an asterisk on iPhone, tap 123, then #+=, then *. Here's how to get ✱ and other fancy asterisks with a text replacement shortcut.
- AndroidTo type an asterisk on Android, tap ?123 (Gboard) or !#1 (Samsung). It's on the first symbols page. Here's how to add shortcuts for ✱ and other asterisks.
- ChromebookPress Shift + 8 to type an asterisk on a Chromebook. For ✱ and other asterisks, use Ctrl + Shift + U with the Unicode code, or the emoji and symbol picker.
- LinuxPress Shift + 8 to type an asterisk on Linux. For ✱, ⁂ and others, use Ctrl + Shift + U and the Unicode code, or GNOME Characters. Plus quoting * in the shell.
- WordType an asterisk in Word with Shift + 8, or any asterisk with its code and Alt + X. Plus how to stop *text* turning bold and use * as a footnote mark.
- Google DocsPress Shift + 8 to type an asterisk in Google Docs. Find ✱ and other asterisks in Insert → Special characters, and see why *text* can turn italic.
- ExcelTyping * in Excel is easy, but formulas and Find treat it as a wildcard. Use ~* to match a real asterisk in COUNTIF, VLOOKUP and Find & Replace.
Typing the fancy asterisks
Characters like ✱, ✳ and ❋ aren't on any keyboard. You have three options:
- Copy and paste from our list of every asterisk. This is the fastest if you need it once.
- Type the Unicode code. Each symbol page lists its code, such as
2731for ✱. Then use Option + code on a Mac (with the Unicode Hex Input keyboard),code+ Alt + X in Word, or Ctrl + Shift + U + code on Chromebook and Linux. - Make a text shortcut. Phones and Macs let you set a short code like
;astthat expands into ✱ anywhere you type. This is the best option if you use one often.