Section Symbol (§) – How to Type It on Keyboard (Windows, Mac, Word, Excel, Google Docs)
The section symbol looks like this: §. It’s also called the section sign and it’s mostly used in legal documents, policies, contracts, and sometimes academic writing to point readers to a specific section of a document.
Example:
- “See § 4 for payment terms.”
- “See §§ 4–6 for the full rules.” (that means sections 4 to 6)
This guide covers every practical way to type the section symbol on different devices and apps—plus what to do if a shortcut doesn’t work.
Quick Copy & Paste (Fastest Option)
If you only need the symbol once, copy it here and paste it anywhere:
When copy/paste is the best choice:
If you’re on a laptop without a numeric keypad, using a phone, or typing it only once, copy/paste is usually faster than learning a shortcut.
What the Section Symbol Means (And When People Use It)
Before we jump into shortcuts, it helps to know why this symbol exists.
The section symbol is a reference marker. It tells the reader: “Go to a specific part of this document.”
Common places you’ll see it
- Legal writing: laws, court documents, contracts
- Company documents: terms and conditions, privacy policy, employee handbook
- Academic writing: sometimes used to reference sections in long documents
Section symbol vs “S” or “Sec.”
In normal writing, some people type “Sec. 4” or “Section 4.”
But in legal writing, § 4 is shorter, cleaner, and widely recognized.
The Fastest Ways to Type § (Quick Summary)
If you want the shortcut first, here it is:
Mac: Option (⌥) + 6
Windows: Alt + 0167 (numeric keypad)