Underscore Symbol on Keyboard (How to Type _ on Windows, Mac, iPhone & More)
The underscore (_), also called a low line, is used in usernames and email-style text, coding, file names, and “fill-in-the-blank” lines (like Name_____).
Quick note: underscore (_) is a character you type, while underline is a text formatting style (like making text look underlined). They are not the same thing.
1-Minute Answer (Fastest Ways)
- Windows keyboard: Hold Shift and press the hyphen/minus key (-) → _
(On most US keyboards, the – key is near the top-right, close to 0 and =.)
- Mac keyboard: Hold Shift and press the hyphen/minus key (-) → _
- iPhone (iOS): Tap 123 → tap #+= → tap _
- Android: Tap ?123 → tap =< (or #+=, depending on your keyboard) → tap _
- Chromebook: Hold Shift and press the – key → _
- Word / Google Docs: Just type it normally using Shift + – (don’t confuse it with underline formatting)
You can also find out more keyboard shortcuts for some popular symbols here.
Quick Reference (Underscore Symbol _)
Quick facts: Underscore is the same character used in programming and file names.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Symbol | _ |
| Name | Underscore / low line |
| Unicode | U+005F |
| ASCII or Alt Code | 95 |
| HTML | _ (but it’s usually safe to type “_” directly) |
| Common keyboard method | Shift + - (the hyphen/minus key) |
How to Type Underscore on a Windows Keyboard
Method 1: Standard keyboard method (works on most PCs)
- Place your cursor where you want the underscore.
- Hold Shift.
- Press the - (hyphen/minus) key once.
- Release both keys.
Where is the - key on a US keyboard?
It’s usually on the top row, toward the right side, often between 0 and =.
Method 2: If your keyboard layout is different (UK / International)
If Shift + - doesn’t make an underscore, your keyboard layout may be set to a different language or region.
Try this quick check:
- On Windows, go to Settings → Time & language → Language & region.
- Look for your keyboard / input method.
- Switch to the layout that matches your physical keyboard (for example, US or UK).
Tip: If you see multiple keyboards installed, remove the ones you don’t use to avoid accidental switching.
How to Type Underscore on a Mac Keyboard
Method 1: Standard keyboard method (fastest)
- Place your cursor where you want the underscore.
- Hold Shift.
- Press the - (hyphen/minus) key once.
Method 2 (Optional): Use Character Viewer
If you prefer clicking symbols:
- Open Character Viewer (Emoji & Symbols).
- Search for underscore or low line.
- Double-click it to insert.
(If you don’t see it easily, the keyboard method is usually faster.)
How to Type Underscore in Microsoft Word
1) Type the underscore character normally
Use the standard method:
- Windows: Shift + -
- Mac: Shift + -
2) Underscore (_) vs underline formatting (important)
- Underscore (_) is a character. Example:
user_name - Underline is formatting that underlines text.
- Windows shortcut: Ctrl + U
- Mac shortcut: Command + U
When to use which one?
- Use underscore (_)
- For usernames, file names, coding, and exact characters you want to copy/paste.
- Use underline formatting
- When you want normal text to look underlined (like titles or emphasis).
3) Common “blank line” use (making longer blanks)
If you want a long blank line like a form:
- Option A (simple): hold the underscore key and type multiple underscores:
______________ - Option B (cleaner in Word): use underline formatting (Ctrl+U / Cmd+U) and then press the Spacebar a bunch of times (it often looks more consistent).
How to Type Underscore in Excel and Google Sheets
1) Type underscore normally
In a cell, use:
- Shift + - → _
2) Quick tip: underscore in formulas or names
Underscore is useful when joining text or making readable labels.
Examples:
- Join two cells with an underscore between them:
=A1&"_"&B1 - Use underscores in named ranges or labels (easier to read):
Project_Total,Sales_2026
How to Type Underscore in Google Docs
1) Type underscore normally
Use:
- Shift + - → _
2) Underscore vs underline (quick reminder)
- Underscore (_) = a typed character
- Underline = formatting
- In Google Docs, underline shortcut is usually:
- Windows: Ctrl + U
- Mac: Command + U
- In Google Docs, underline shortcut is usually:
How to Type Underscore on iPhone and Android
iPhone (iOS)
- Tap 123.
- Tap #+=.
- Tap _.
Android (Gboard / Samsung Keyboard)
- Tap ?123.
- Tap =< (or #+=, depending on your keyboard).
- Tap _.
Tip: On some Android keyboards, you can press and hold the hyphen - key to see extra options (sometimes including underscore).
How to Type Underscore on a Chromebook
- Place your cursor where you want the underscore.
- Hold Shift.
- Press the - (hyphen) key once.
That’s it — Chromebook uses the same shortcut as Windows/Mac for underscore.
Troubleshooting (Fix Common Problems)
“My keyboard types something else”
This usually means your keyboard layout (language/region) doesn’t match your physical keyboard.
- Switch to the correct layout in your system settings (US vs UK vs International).
- If you accidentally switch layouts often, remove the extra ones.
“I can’t find underscore on my laptop”
Look for the - key:
- Usually near the top-right, close to 0 and =.
- Hold Shift and press that key to get _.
“My Shift key is not working”
Try these quick checks:
- Test the other Shift key (left Shift vs right Shift).
- Restart your computer.
- If only one Shift key fails, it may be a keyboard hardware issue (especially on older laptops).
“I need underscore but I only see underline in Word”
Remember:
- Underscore is typed: Shift + -
- Underline is formatting: Ctrl+U (Windows) / Cmd+U (Mac)
If you need the actual character (for usernames, file names, code), you want _, not underline formatting.
FAQ (Quick Answers)
Where is the underscore key?
On most keyboards, underscore is on the same key as the hyphen (-). You type it with Shift + -.
How do you type underscore on a laptop?
Use Shift + -. The - key is usually near the top-right of the keyboard.
Is underscore the same as underline?
No. Underscore (_) is a character. Underline is formatting that underlines text.
How do you type underscore on iPhone/Android?
- iPhone: 123 → #+= → _
- Android: ?123 → =< (or #+=) → _
What’s the ASCII/Unicode for underscore?
- ASCII: 95
- Unicode: U+005F
Quick Recap
- Windows: Shift + -
- Mac: Shift + -
- iPhone: 123 → #+= → _
- Android: ?123 → =< (or #+=) → _
- Chromebook: Shift + -
- In Word: underscore (_) is different from underline formatting (Ctrl+U / Cmd+U)