Short answer: On a Mac, press Shift + Option + 2. On Windows, hold Alt and type 0128 on the numeric keypad. On a phone, press and hold the $ key and slide to €. On a Chromebook, press Ctrl + Shift + U, type 20ac, then Enter. Or just copy it below.
A US keyboard has no dedicated € key — but you don’t need a European one. Every method below gets you there. Jump to your device: Mac · Windows · Phone · Chromebook · Linux · Word, Docs & web.
Quick reference
| Platform | How |
|---|---|
| Mac | Shift + Option + 2 (US layout) |
| Windows | Alt + 0128 (numeric keypad, Num Lock on) |
| Windows (Word) | Type 20AC, then Alt + X |
| Windows (US-Intl layout) | Right Alt (AltGr) + 5 |
| iPhone / Android | Press and hold the $ key, slide to € |
| Chromebook | Ctrl + Shift + U, type 20ac, then Enter |
| Linux | Ctrl + Shift + U, type 20ac, then Enter |
| HTML | € or € |
| Unicode | U+20AC |
Mac
Press Shift + Option + 2. It works in almost every app — Pages, Mail, Safari, Notes, Word.
One caveat worth knowing: that shortcut assumes a US English keyboard layout. On a UK layout, Shift + Option + 2 actually types ™ — there, the euro is Option + 2 on its own. Other European layouts differ again: German, French, Spanish and Italian keyboards usually put € on Option + E. If your shortcut prints the wrong character, check System Settings → Keyboard → Input Sources to see which layout you’re on, or just copy € from the box above.
Windows
Hold Alt and type 0128 on the numeric keypad (not the row of numbers above the letters), with Num Lock on. Release Alt and € appears.
A couple of alternatives:
- In Word: type 20AC, then press Alt + X. Word converts the code into €. (This also works in Outlook.)
- US-International keyboard: Right Alt (AltGr) + 5 types € directly. This layout is a good permanent fix if you type € often — switch to it in Settings → Time & language → Language & region.
No numpad? Most laptops don’t have one. Use Word’s 20AC + Alt + X method, switch to the US-International layout, or simply copy € above. See more fixes in Troubleshooting.
On a phone
The euro lives one long-press away on every modern phone keyboard.
iPhone (iOS):
- Tap 123 to open the number/symbol keyboard.
- Press and hold the $ key.
- A popup shows € £ ¥ ₩ ¢ — slide onto € and release.
Android (Gboard, Samsung Keyboard, etc.):
- Tap ?123 to switch to symbols.
- Long-press the $ key.
- Slide to € in the popup.
The behavior is the same on iPad and on most third-party keyboards. If you don’t see € in the popup, you’re likely holding a different key — make sure it’s the dollar sign.
(In-body image goes here: phone keyboard $ long-press popup with € selected.)
Chromebook
Chromebooks don’t have an Alt-code system, but they do have Unicode input:
- Place your cursor where you want the symbol.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + U. A small underlined u appears.
- Type 20ac (the Unicode hex for the euro).
- Press Enter or Space.
You’ll get €. This works in most text fields, though it can be inconsistent inside some Android apps running on ChromeOS. If it doesn’t take, right-click and choose Emoji & Symbols where available, or copy € from the top of the page.
Linux
Linux gives you a few reliable options, depending on your setup:
- Unicode entry (IBus/GTK): press Ctrl + Shift + U, type 20ac, then press Enter.
- Compose key: if you have a Compose key set, press it, then = then e → €.
- AltGr: on many international layouts, AltGr + e or AltGr + 5 produces € (it depends on your active keyboard layout).
If none fire, your distro may not have a Compose key assigned by default — you can set one under your keyboard settings.
Word, Google Docs & the web
- Word: any method above, or Insert → Symbol and pick €.
- Google Docs: Insert → Special characters, then search “euro.”
- HTML: use the entity
€(or the numeric reference€/€).
In spreadsheets (Excel & Google Sheets)
For money, don’t type € as text — format the cell as currency so the number stays a number you can calculate with.
- Excel: select the cells → Ctrl + 1 → Currency → choose Euro (€).
- Google Sheets: Format → Number → Currency, or use the more-options menu to pick the euro specifically.
Formatting keeps €1,250 as the value 1250 (so SUM still works) while displaying the symbol.
Where does the € go — before or after the number?
This trips people up, because it isn’t the same everywhere:
- In English (and in Ireland), the symbol goes before the amount with no space: €10, €9.99.
- In many other eurozone countries, the symbol goes after the amount with a space: 10 €, 9,99 € (often with a comma as the decimal separator).
Both are correct — the EU’s English style guidance puts € before the figure, while national conventions vary. Pick the convention that matches your audience and stay consistent.
Examples: €20 · €9.99 · “the total is €1,250”
Troubleshooting {#troubleshooting}
- Alt + 0128 does nothing. You need a real numeric keypad with Num Lock on. On a laptop without one, use Word’s 20AC + Alt + X, switch to the US-International layout, or copy €.
- The Alt code types a different symbol. Make sure you typed the leading zero (
0128, not128) — without it you may get a different character. Also confirm you’re using the numpad, not the top-row numbers. - No € key on my keyboard. That’s normal on US layouts — use any shortcut above, or copy. (It’s the same situation as the pound sign £.)
- Mac shortcut prints the wrong character. You’re probably on a non-US layout — see the Mac note above.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I type the euro symbol on Windows?
Hold Alt and type 0128 on the numeric keypad, or type 20AC and then press Alt + X in Microsoft Word. On the US-International keyboard layout, Right Alt + 5 also produces the euro symbol (€).
How do I type the euro symbol on a Mac?
Press Shift + Option + 2 on a US English keyboard. On some other layouts (like UK) the euro key differs, so check your active input source if it prints something else.
How do I type the euro symbol on my phone?
Open the symbols keyboard, press and hold the dollar sign ($) key, then slide to € in the popup. This works on iPhone, iPad, and Android.
What is the Alt code for the euro symbol?
The Alt code for the euro symbol is Alt + 0128. Hold Alt and type 0128 on the numeric keypad with Num Lock turned on.
How do I type the euro symbol on a Chromebook?
Press Ctrl + Shift + U, type 20ac, then press Enter.
Should the euro sign go before or after the number?
In English it goes before with no space (€10). In many eurozone countries it goes after with a space (10 €). Both are valid — match your audience.
Recap
Mac Shift + Option + 2 · Windows Alt + 0128 · phone long-press the $ key · Chromebook Ctrl + Shift + U → 20ac. On the web, €. Or copy € from the top.
Written by Igor R.. Tested on Windows 11, macOS, iOS, and ChromeOS. Last updated June 2026. The euro sign is U+20AC in the Unicode Standard.
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Pound £ · Cent ¢ · Yen ¥ · Rupee ₹ · Peso ₱ · Bitcoin ₿ — see all in the Currency symbols hub, or grab any of them in the copy & paste tool.