How to Type the Tilde Symbol (~) on Keyboard (Windows, Mac, Word, Google Docs)

The tilde symbol ~ is used in a lot of places: to mean “approximately” (≈), to show ranges (5–10 ~ about 5 to 10), in programming, in usernames, and sometimes in math and logic.

Quick warning (this confuses a lot of people):

• The tilde symbol (~) is a standalone character you can type by itself.
• The tilde accent is a mark used on letters, like ñ, ã, õ. On some keyboards, you “type the accent first,” then type the letter.

This guide shows both—so you can get the exact one you need.

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1-Minute Answer (fastest ways)

Windows (fastest)

• Keyboard (US layout): Press Shift + ` (the key below Esc, left of number 1).
• Alt code: Hold Alt and type 126 on the numeric keypad → ~
• Emoji/Symbol panel: Press Win + . (or Win + ;) → go to Symbols → find ~ (location can vary).

Mac (fastest)

• Keyboard (US layout): Press Shift + ` (key below Esc).
• Tilde accent method (for letters): Press Option + N, then type:
  • n → ñ
  • a → ã
  • o → õ
• Tilde alone (Mac “dead key”): Option + N, then Space → often gives ˜ (looks like tilde but is a different character). If you specifically need ~, use the keyboard method above (US layout) or copy/paste.

Microsoft Word (fastest)

• Type the code: type 007E then press Alt + X → ~ Microsoft Support
• Insert Symbol: Insert → Symbol → More Symbols → pick ~
• Copy/paste: copy ~ from this page and paste.

Google Docs (fastest)

• Insert → Special characters → search tilde (or draw it) → insert.

iPhone / Android (fastest)

• Tap 123 (or ?123) → look for ~ on the symbols page.
• Note: phone keyboards vary by app and language, so the exact spot may differ.

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Quick reference (tilde ~)

Symbol: ~
Unicode: U+007E Codepoints
Windows Alt code: Alt + 126 (numeric keypad) Toptal
Keyboard shortcut (US layout): Shift + ` (key below Esc)

Item	Value
Symbol	~
Unicode	U+007E
Windows Alt code	Alt + 126
US keyboard	Shift + `
Word code	007E then Alt+X
HTML	~ / ~ (and ˜ = ˜)

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Detailed steps: how to type the tilde symbol

A) Windows

Method 1: Use the keyboard key (US keyboard)

1. Look for the key below Esc (top-left area).
   It usually shows ` (backtick) and ~ (tilde).
2. Hold Shift.
3. Press that ` / ~ key once.
4. You should get: ~

Tip: If this types something else (like ¬, £, §), jump to the Keyboard layout section below.

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Method 2: Alt code (Alt + 126)

This method is very reliable if you have a numeric keypad.

1. Turn Num Lock ON.
2. Place your cursor where you want the symbol.
3. Hold Alt.
4. Type 126 on the numeric keypad (not the number row above letters).
5. Release Alt → ~

Laptop without a numpad? Try this:

• If your laptop has an Fn key and “embedded numpad” numbers on certain letter keys, turn that on (often Fn + NumLock), then use Alt + 126.
• Or use Method 3 / Method 4 below (easier).

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Method 3: Windows emoji/symbol panel (Win + .)

1. Press Win + . (or Win + ;).
2. Open the Symbols section.
3. Look for ~ and click it to insert.

(Exact categories can vary by Windows version.)

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Method 4: Character Map

1. Press Start and search Character Map.
2. Open Character Map.
3. Find ~ (you can scroll or choose a common font like Arial).
4. Click ~ → click Select → click Copy.
5. Paste it where you need it (Ctrl + V).

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B) Mac

Method 1: Use the key (if your layout has it)

If you’re on a US layout, it’s usually:

1. Hold Shift
2. Press the ` key (below Esc) → ~

On other layouts, the tilde might be on a different key.

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Method 2: Option + N (tilde accent method)

This is mainly for letters like ñ, ã, õ.

1. Press Option + N (release both keys).
2. Type the letter you want:
   • n → ñ
   • a → ã
   • o → õ Apple Support

Tilde alone:

• Option + N, then Space often produces ˜ (small tilde), not the plain ~.

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Method 3: Character Viewer

1. Press Control + Command + Space (or use Edit → Emoji & Symbols).
2. Search for tilde.
3. Double-click the character you want to insert. Apple Support

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C) Microsoft Word

Keyboard key method

If your keyboard layout supports it (US layout), just use:

• Shift + ` → ~

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Insert → Symbol

1. Go to Insert.
2. Click Symbol → More Symbols.
3. Find ~ and click Insert.

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007E then Alt+X (Word)

1. Type 007E
2. Press Alt + X
3. Word converts it to ~ Microsoft Support

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AutoCorrect tip (optional)

If you type ~ a lot, you can set AutoCorrect so typing something like ~tilde turns into ~. (In Word: File → Options → Proofing → AutoCorrect Options.)

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D) Excel / PowerPoint

Keyboard key method

• Shift + ` (US layout) → ~

Alt code (Windows)

• Alt + 126 (numeric keypad) → ~

Insert Symbol

• Insert → Symbol → choose ~ and insert.

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E) Google Docs / Google Sheets

Google Docs

1. Go to Insert → Special characters
2. Search tilde
   (You can also try search terms like wave dash or approximately depending on what you need.)
3. Click the symbol to insert.

Google Sheets

• If you just need the tilde character: copy/paste ~.
• If you want it from a formula, you can use: =CHAR(126) to return ~.

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F) iPhone / Android

iPhone (typical)

1. Tap 123 key.
2. Look for ~ on the symbols screens (sometimes you need to tap #+= key).

Android (typical)

1. Tap ?123.
2. Look for ~ on the symbols screens (sometimes there’s a second symbols page).

Quick note: the exact location changes depending on your keyboard app (Gboard, Samsung Keyboard, SwiftKey) and language.

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Keyboard layout matters (very important)

The tilde’s location depends heavily on your keyboard layout.

• US layout: usually Shift + ` (below Esc).
• UK layout: that key may produce something else, and tilde may be elsewhere.
• Spanish / international layouts: tilde may behave like an accent key (dead key) or need another combo.
• Linux: some layouts use AltGr combos to access tilde (varies by distro/layout).

Simple fixes if you can’t find ~

Fix 1 (best): temporarily switch to US keyboard layout

• Windows: Settings → Time & language → Language & region → add United States – US keyboard, then switch using Win + Space.
• Mac: System Settings → Keyboard → Input Sources → add U.S., then switch input methods (shortcut depends on your settings).

Fix 2: use copy/paste or a symbol picker

• Copy ~ from this page, or use:
  • Windows: Win + .
  • Mac: Character Viewer

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Troubleshooting

“Shift + ` gives me a different character”

This is almost always a keyboard layout issue (US vs UK vs international).
Fix: switch to US layout temporarily, or use Alt + 126 / Character Viewer / copy-paste.

“Alt code not working”

Common causes:

• You typed 126 on the top number row (that won’t work).
• Num Lock is off.
• Your keyboard has no numeric keypad (common on laptops).
  Fix: use Win + ., Character Map, or copy/paste.

“I’m trying to type ñ, not ~”

You need the tilde accent method, not the standalone tilde:

• Mac: Option + N, then n → ñ Apple Support
• Word: Ctrl + Shift + ~, then n → ñ Microsoft Support

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FAQ (quick answers)

Where is the tilde key?

On a US keyboard, it’s usually below Esc, left of 1 (the key). You type tilde with Shift +`.

What is the Alt code for tilde?

Alt + 126 (use the numeric keypad). Toptal

How do I type tilde on a laptop without a numpad?

Use:

• Shift + ` (if your layout supports it), or
• Win + . → Symbols, or
• Character Map, or
• Copy/paste ~ from this page.

How do I type ~ in Word / Google Docs?

• Word: type 007E then Alt + X, or use Insert → Symbol. Microsoft Support
• Google Docs: Insert → Special characters → search tilde.

How do I type ñ vs ~?

• ~ is the standalone symbol.
• ñ is a letter with a tilde accent:
  • Mac: Option + N, then n → ñ Apple Support
  • Word: Ctrl + Shift + ~, then n → ñ Microsoft Support

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Quick recap

• Fastest (US keyboard): Shift + `
• Windows Alt code: Alt + 126 (numeric keypad)
• Word: 007E + Alt + X
• If it’s “in the wrong place,” it’s usually your keyboard layout—switch to US or use copy/paste.