The short answer: Chromebooks don’t use Windows Alt codes. Instead, press Ctrl + Shift + U, type the symbol’s 4-digit Unicode hex code (for example 00b0 for °), then press Enter. Prefer not to memorize codes? Open the emoji & symbols picker with Launcher + Shift + Space, or just copy the symbol below.
Skip the shortcut entirely: grab any symbol above, or look up its Unicode/hex code in the Alt Code Finder.
ChromeOS handles keyboard input differently from Windows and Mac, so Alt codes do nothing here. The good part: the built-in Unicode shortcut can produce any character, and there are two even easier options when you don’t want to remember a code.
Quick reference
| Method | How to do it |
|---|---|
| Unicode shortcut (the “Chromebook Alt code”) | Ctrl + Shift + U, type the hex code, press Enter |
| Emoji & symbols picker | Launcher + Shift + Space (or right-click → Emoji & symbols) |
| Accented letters | Press and hold a letter key for the accent menu |
| Google Docs / Sheets | Insert → Special characters |
| Fastest | Copy the symbol from our tool |
How to type symbols on a Chromebook with Ctrl + Shift + U
This is the Chromebook equivalent of a Windows Alt code, and it works in most text fields:
- Click where you want the symbol.
- Hold Ctrl + Shift and tap U, then release — you’ll see a small underlined u.
- Type the symbol’s hex code (no “U+” needed) — for example 2014 for an em dash.
- Press Enter or Space to insert it.
That’s the whole trick. Once the underlined u shows up, ChromeOS is waiting for a Unicode value.
Common symbols and their Chromebook codes
Type Ctrl + Shift + U, then any code below, then Enter:
| Symbol | Name | Code |
|---|---|---|
| ° | Degree | 00b0 |
| — | Em dash | 2014 |
| – | En dash | 2013 |
| • | Bullet | 2022 |
| … | Ellipsis | 2026 |
| € | Euro | 20ac |
| £ | Pound | 00a3 |
| © | Copyright | 00a9 |
| ® | Registered | 00ae |
| ™ | Trademark | 2122 |
| ✓ | Check mark | 2713 |
| → | Right arrow | 2192 |
| ± | Plus-minus | 00b1 |
| × | Multiply | 00d7 |
| ÷ | Divide | 00f7 |
| é | e-acute | 00e9 |
| ñ | n-tilde | 00f1 |
| ç | c-cedilla | 00e7 |
Need a symbol that isn’t listed? Every character has a hex code — look yours up in our Alt Code Finder (it shows the Unicode value too).
The emoji & symbols picker (no codes needed)
If you’d rather point and click:
- Press Launcher (Search) + Shift + Space to open the picker, or
- Right-click in any text box and choose Emoji & symbols.
Search by name — “heart”, “degree”, “arrow” — and click to insert. It covers emoji and a wide range of symbols, and it’s the easiest method if you only need a symbol occasionally.
How to type accented letters (é, ñ, ü, ç) on a Chromebook
The easiest way is press-and-hold, just like on a phone. First turn the feature on:
- Open Settings → Device → Keyboard, and under Repeat keys and accent marks, enable Show accent marks and special characters. (Or add the English (US) with International keyboard input method and switch to it with Ctrl + Shift + Space.)
- Press and hold a letter — for example e.
- In the pop-up, click the accent you want (é, è, ê…), or press the number shown beneath it.
For full per-language sets, our Accent Keyboard lets you build accented words and copy them in one go.
Typing symbols in Google Docs and Sheets
The Ctrl + Shift + U shortcut doesn’t reliably work inside Google Docs, so use the built-in tool instead:
- Google Docs: go to Insert → Special characters, then search the symbol by name or draw it with your trackpad.
- Google Sheets: there’s no special-characters menu, so type or paste the symbol directly into the cell (copy it from our tool, or type it elsewhere with Ctrl + Shift + U and paste). More detail: symbols in Google Sheets.
Typing symbols in Gmail, Slack, and other web apps
Most web text boxes accept the Ctrl + Shift + U method, but some block Unicode input or intercept the shortcut. If nothing appears, use the emoji picker (Launcher + Shift + Space) or copy-paste the symbol from our tool — paste works everywhere.
Why Alt codes don’t work on a Chromebook
Alt codes are a Windows feature: Windows reads a number typed on the numeric keypad while you hold Alt. ChromeOS has no equivalent subsystem, so the same keystrokes produce nothing. On a Chromebook, Ctrl + Shift + U is the direct replacement.
What about plugging in a USB numpad? It won’t help — Alt codes depend on Windows software, not on the keypad hardware, so ChromeOS still won’t interpret them. Stick with Ctrl + Shift + U. (If you also use a Windows PC, see our guide on Alt codes not working.)
Troubleshooting
- Ctrl + Shift + U does nothing. Not every field supports it, especially some web apps. Make sure you release the keys, type the hex, then press Enter. Still stuck? Use the emoji picker (Launcher + Shift + Space), or in Google Docs use Insert → Special characters.
- The accent menu won’t appear on long-press. Enable “Show accent marks and special characters” in keyboard settings, or switch to the US International input method.
- Nothing inserts in a website’s text box. Some sites block Unicode input — copy the symbol from our copy tool and paste it instead.
it shows the Unicode value too).
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I type special characters on a Chromebook?
Press Ctrl + Shift + U, type the character’s 4-digit Unicode hex code, then press Enter. You can also open the emoji and symbols picker with Launcher + Shift + Space, or copy the symbol from a tool.
Do Alt codes work on a Chromebook?
No. Alt codes are a Windows feature that needs a numeric keypad. On ChromeOS, use Ctrl + Shift + U followed by the hex code instead.
How do I type accents like é or ñ on a Chromebook?
Turn on the accent menu in keyboard settings or add the US International keyboard, then press and hold a letter to choose the accented version.
How do I open the emoji picker on a Chromebook?
Press Launcher (Search) + Shift + Space, or right-click in a text field and choose Emoji and symbols.
How do I insert symbols in Google Docs on a Chromebook?
Use Insert → Special characters, then search for the symbol by name or draw it with your trackpad. The Ctrl + Shift + U shortcut does not always work inside Google Docs.
Why don’t symbols work in some websites on my Chromebook?
Some sites block Unicode input or intercept the shortcut. Use the emoji picker with Launcher + Shift + Space, or copy the symbol from a tool and paste it, which works everywhere.
Recap
No Alt codes on a Chromebook — use Ctrl + Shift + U then the hex code, the Launcher + Shift + Space picker, or simply copy the symbol. For accents, press and hold the letter.
Written by Igor R. Tested on ChromeOS. Last updated June 2026. Character codes follow the Unicode Standard.