Short answer: Notion has no special-character menu, so match the method to what you want. For emoji, type : and the name (:rocket:). For symbols like → © ° ±, copy and paste. For math (√, π, ≈), add an equation with LaTeX (/equation). The most common ones are ready to copy right here.
Notion handles different kinds of “symbols” in different ways. Once you match the method to what you actually want, it’s quick.
Match the method to the symbol
| What you want | Best method in Notion |
|---|---|
| Emoji (✅ ⚠️ 🚀) | type : + name |
| Arrow / © / ° / ± | copy-paste |
| Checkbox / bullet | markdown [] or - + space |
| Math (π √ ≈) | /equation + LaTeX |
Emoji: the colon trigger
Type : then start the name — :check, :arrow, :warning — and Notion suggests matching emoji. Press Enter to insert.
A few extras:
- Run the
/emojislash command to open the picker. - Use your operating system’s picker: Windows + . on Windows, Control + Command + Space on a Mac.
- To set a page or callout icon, click the icon and choose an emoji there.
- Custom emoji: open the emoji menu with
/emoji, click the + (Add) button, upload any image and name it. It’s then reusable anywhere in your workspace — as a page icon, a reaction, or inline in a page — which is handy for brand icons. (Custom emoji don’t render in mobile widgets, and workspaces are capped at 500.)
Symbols: copy and paste
For non-emoji characters — arrows → ← ↑ ↓, © ® ™, °, ±, •, currency signs — Notion has no built-in picker, so the dependable route is to copy the symbol and paste it. Grab common ones from the strip above or the copy-and-paste tool.
Markdown shortcuts (symbols as formatting)
Many “symbols” people want in Notion are really formatting. Type these at the start of a line:
| Type this | You get |
|---|---|
[] + space | an interactive to-do checkbox ☑ |
- or * + space | a bullet • |
1. + space | a numbered list |
#, ##, ### | headings |
> + space | a toggle |
`code` | inline code |
--- | a divider |
These create real blocks, so they behave better than pasting a literal • or ☑.
Math symbols: use an equation
For genuine math, add an equation instead of hunting individual characters. Type /equation for a block equation (/math also works — Notion matches it to the same block), or insert an inline equation. Then write LaTeX:
| Symbol | LaTeX |
|---|---|
| π | \pi |
| √ | \sqrt{x} |
| ≈ | \approx |
| ± | \pm |
| × ÷ | \times \div |
| → | \rightarrow |
| ∞ | \infty |
| ≤ ≥ ≠ | \leq \geq \neq |
Three fast ways to add an inline equation:
- Type
/inline equation. - Wrap your expression in double dollar signs:
$$ ... $$. - Select existing text and press Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + E.
Notion renders equations with KaTeX, so they look like proper typeset math.
Typing symbols by device
Windows
Use the Windows + . (or Windows + ;) emoji-and-symbols panel, or copy-paste. The old numpad Alt codes are unreliable in Notion — this is true in both the desktop app and Notion in your browser, because both are Chromium-based. Don’t fight it; use the emoji panel or paste instead. (More on why Alt codes fail.)
Mac
On a Mac, macOS Option shortcuts work as you type in Notion:
- Option + 8 = •
- Shift + Option + 8 = °
- Option + V = √
For emoji, press Control + Command + Space.
Chromebook
ChromeOS runs Notion in the browser, so copy-paste is the reliable route for symbols. For emoji, right-click in a text field and choose Emoji, or press Launcher (🔍) + Shift + Space to open the emoji-and-symbols picker. (Full symbol coverage is on our Chromebook symbols guide.)
Linux
Notion has no official Linux desktop app, so on Linux you’re using the web app in a browser. Copy-paste works everywhere. In most GTK-based inputs you can also type a Unicode character with Ctrl + Shift + U, then the hex code point, then Enter.
Mobile (iPhone and Android)
Use your phone keyboard’s symbols layout and press-and-hold for variants (hold 0 for °), the emoji keyboard for emoji, or paste a copied symbol. The : emoji trigger and equations work in the app too. On iPhone the symbols layout is behind the 123 key; on Android it’s behind ?123.
Reuse a symbol you type often
Notion has no built-in text expander, but you can set one up at the system level:
- Mac: add a rule under System Settings → Keyboard → Text Replacements — type something like
cmarkand have it expand to ✓. - Windows: use a free text expander such as Espanso (open-source), AutoHotkey, Beeftext, or PhraseExpress. (Note: PowerToys does not include a text-expansion feature.)
Set it up once and your most-used symbol is a few keystrokes away in Notion and every other app.
Examples
- Callouts with ⚠️ and ✅
- A checklist of
[]to-dos - A formula note like
\sqrt{a^2 + b^2} - A “→ next step” arrow inside a heading
Troubleshooting
- Alt codes do nothing. Expected in Notion — use copy-paste, Windows + ., or (Mac) Option keys.
- The
:menu won’t find my emoji. Type a few more letters of the name, or use/emoji. - A symbol shows as a box ▯. Your display font lacks that glyph; the underlying text is still fine.
- My LaTeX won’t render. It must be inside an equation block (
/equation) or an inline equation, not plain text. - Nothing happens on Chromebook/Linux. You’re in the web app — copy-paste is the safe fallback everywhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I insert a symbol in Notion?
Notion does not have a built-in special characters menu. You can copy and paste the symbol, type : followed by an emoji name to insert an emoji, or use a /math equation with LaTeX for mathematical symbols.
How do I add emoji in Notion?
Type : and begin typing the emoji name, then select it from the suggestions. You can also use the /emoji command or open your operating system’s emoji picker:
Windows: Windows + .
Mac: Control + Command + Space
Do Alt codes work in Notion?
On Windows, Alt codes are unreliable because Notion is a Chromium-based application. It’s usually better to copy and paste symbols or use the Windows + . emoji and symbols panel. On a Mac, Option-key shortcuts work normally while typing.
How do I type math symbols in Notion?
Create an equation using the /math command or an inline equation, then write LaTeX commands such as:
\pi for π
\sqrt{x} for √x
\approx for ≈
\pm for ±
Notion renders these equations using KaTeX.
How do I add a checkbox in Notion?
Type [] followed by a space at the beginning of a line to create an interactive to-do checkbox.
How do I add a bullet point in Notion?
Type – or * followed by a space to start a bulleted list. You can also copy and paste the bullet character (•) if you need a standalone bullet symbol.
How do I insert symbols on a Chromebook or Linux?
Both run Notion in the browser, so copy-paste is the reliable route. On a Chromebook, open the emoji-and-symbols picker with Launcher (🔍) + Shift + Space. On Linux, GTK inputs also accept Ctrl + Shift + U, then the hex code point, then Enter.
Recap
Emoji = : + name. Symbols = copy-paste. Math = /equation with LaTeX. Checkboxes and bullets = markdown. Mac Option keys work as you type; Windows Alt codes don’t.
Written by Igor R. Tested in Notion on Windows 11, macOS, and the mobile app. Last updated July 2026. Symbol code points follow the Unicode Standard.