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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.

Table of Contents

Quick Copy & Paste (Fastest Option)

If you only need the symbol once, copy it here and paste it anywhere:

Section Symbol (§) Copy & Paste

Tap a button to copy. You’ll see a tooltip with what was copied.

Main symbol

Related symbols

Shortcuts: Windows Alt + 0167 (numpad) • Mac Option + 6

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)

Don’t worry if the Windows Alt code doesn’t work yet—later in this guide I’ll show you what to do if your laptop has no numpad.

Type the Section Symbol on Mac (⌥ Option Shortcut)

Mac makes this easy because the section symbol is built into the keyboard layout.

Method 1: Option + 6 (works almost everywhere)

Why this works:
On macOS, the Option key gives you extra symbols that aren’t shown on the keyboard.

Steps

  1. Click where you want the symbol to appear.
  2. Press Option (⌥) + 6.
  3. You’ll get §.

Where it works:
Word, Pages, Google Docs, Notes, email, browsers, PowerPoint—basically anywhere you can type.

How to type the double section symbol (§§) on Mac

Just type it twice:

  • Option + 6, then Option + 6 → §§

Type the Section Symbol on Windows (Alt Code)

Windows usually types special symbols using Alt codes.

Method 1: Alt + 0167 (Most common Windows method)

Important explanation first:
This method usually requires the numeric keypad (the number pad on the right side of full-size keyboards). Many laptops don’t have one, which is why some people think the shortcut is “broken.”

Steps

  1. Click where you want the symbol.
  2. Turn Num Lock ON.
  3. Hold down the Alt key.
  4. Type 0167 on the numeric keypad.
  5. Release Alt → you’ll get §.

Try Alt + 167 too (sometimes works)

On some systems:

  • Alt + 167 also produces §

But Alt + 0167 is the safer one to remember.

How to type §§ (double section) on Windows

  • Type the Alt code twice: Alt+0167, then Alt+0167

If Alt Codes Don’t Work (Common Windows Problems)

This is one of the biggest issues beginners face, so here’s a clear checklist.

1) “I’m using a laptop and Alt+0167 does nothing”

Most likely: your laptop has no numeric keypad, or you’re using the number row at the top (which usually won’t work for Alt codes).

Fix options:

  • Use Character Map (simple and reliable)
  • Use Insert > Symbol in Word/Excel
  • Copy/paste §
  • Use an external USB keypad (optional)

2) “I typed 0167 but got a different symbol”

This can happen if:

  • Num Lock is OFF
  • You’re typing on the wrong keys
  • Your keyboard layout/settings are unusual

In that case, use the app-based methods below (Word/Google Docs insert tools).

Type the Section Symbol in Microsoft Word (Windows & Mac)

Word is one of the easiest places to insert special symbols because it supports shortcuts, menus, and search tools.

Method 1: Use the keyboard shortcut (fastest)

  • Mac: Option + 6
  • Windows: Alt + 0167 (numpad)

Method 2: Insert it from Word’s Symbol menu (works on all keyboards)

Why use this method:
It works even if you don’t have a keypad and even if Alt codes fail.

Steps

  1. Go to the Insert tab.
  2. Click Symbol.
  3. Choose More Symbols…
  4. Find § (Section sign).
  5. Click Insert.

Helpful tip:
If you insert § often, Word usually remembers it under “Recently used symbols,” making it faster next time.

Method 3: Set up AutoCorrect in Word (best for frequent use)

Why this is powerful:
If you type § often (legal work), you can make Word automatically replace a short code like “ss” with §.

Steps

  1. Go to File > Options (Windows) or Word > Preferences (Mac).
  2. Find Proofing.
  3. Click AutoCorrect Options.
  4. Under “Replace,” type something like: ;sec
  5. Under “With,” paste: §
  6. Click Add, then OK.

Now typing ;sec + space becomes § automatically.

Type the Section Symbol in Excel

Excel is similar to Word, but there are small differences depending on your version.

Method 1: Mac shortcut

  • Option + 6

Method 2: Windows Alt code

  • Alt + 0167 (numeric keypad)

Method 3: Insert Symbol (works everywhere)

  1. Go to Insert
  2. Choose Symbol (or Insert > Symbol depending on your Excel version)
  3. Select §
  4. Click Insert

Extra Excel tip:
If you need § inside a formula, you can usually paste it directly into the formula bar like normal text.

Type the Section Symbol in PowerPoint

PowerPoint supports the same methods, and the best method depends on your device.

Method 1: Shortcut

  • Mac: Option + 6
  • Windows: Alt + 0167 (numpad)

Method 2: Insert Symbol

  1. Go to Insert
  2. Click Symbol
  3. Choose §
  4. Click Insert

This is especially useful if you want consistent formatting in slides.

Type the Section Symbol in Google Docs

Google Docs is web-based, so shortcuts can vary depending on your system. The most reliable method is Google Docs’ own symbol tool.

Method 1: Insert > Special characters (most reliable)

Why this method is best in Docs:
It works on Windows, Mac, Chromebook—anything.

Steps

  1. In Google Docs, click Insert
  2. Click Special characters
  3. In the search box, type: section
  4. Click § to insert it

Method 2: Mac shortcut in Docs

  • Option + 6 works inside Google Docs on Mac.

Method 3: Copy/paste

Copy § from this page and paste it into Docs.

Type the Section Symbol on Chromebook

Chromebooks don’t use Windows Alt codes the same way, so use one of these:

Method 1: Copy/paste

Copy § and paste it where needed.

Method 2: Google Docs Special characters

If you’re in Docs:

  • Insert > Special characters > search “section”

Method 3: Unicode input (advanced option)

Some Chromebook setups allow Unicode input, but for most people, copy/paste is faster.

Type the Section Symbol on iPhone / iPad

Phone keyboards hide many symbols, so the most practical approach is usually copy/paste or text replacement.

Method 1: Copy/paste (fast)

Copy: §
Paste anywhere.

Method 2: Set up Text Replacement (best long-term)

Why it helps:
You can type something short like “sec” and your phone changes it into §.

Steps

  1. Open Settings
  2. Tap General
  3. Tap Keyboard
  4. Tap Text Replacement
  5. Tap +
  6. In Phrase, paste: §
  7. In Shortcut, type: sec
  8. Tap Save

Type the Section Symbol on Android

Android keyboards vary (Gboard, Samsung Keyboard, etc.), so focus on universal options.

Method 1: Copy/paste

Copy §, paste anywhere.

Method 2: Long-press symbol keys (sometimes works)

Try long-pressing keys like:

  • ?
  • &
  • or any key that shows extra symbols when held

If you don’t see §, use copy/paste.

Section Symbol vs Paragraph Symbol (Very Common Confusion)

These two look “kind of similar” to beginners, but they mean different things.

Section symbol

  • § = section reference (common in legal writing)

Paragraph symbol (Pilcrow)

  • = paragraph mark (often used in editing/formatting)

Quick memory trick:

  • § → “Section”
  • → “Paragraph”

Unicode + HTML Codes (For Bloggers/Devs)

If you’re writing about this symbol on a website, you might need the code version.

Section Symbol (§) codes

  • Unicode: U+00A7
  • HTML entity name: §
  • HTML decimal: §
  • HTML hex: § (also written as §)

WordPress tip:
If WordPress keeps converting your code into the actual symbol, put the code inside a Code block or use inline code formatting.

FAQs

What is the section symbol called?

It’s called the section symbol or section sign.

What is the shortcut for section symbol on Mac?

Option + 6.

What is the Alt code for § on Windows?

Alt + 0167 (numeric keypad).

How do I type §§?

Type the section symbol twice: §§