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Pound Symbol (£) – How to Type It on Keyboard (Windows, Mac, Word, Excel, Google Docs)

If you want the pound symbol (£) quickly, this guide gives you the fastest shortcuts first, then step-by-step methods for Windows, Mac, Word, Excel, Google Docs, and phones (written for complete beginners).

Fastest Ways to Type Pound Sign (£)

Windows

  • UK keyboard: Press Shift + 3 → £
  • Alt code (numeric keypad): Hold Alt and type 0163 → £
  • Windows symbol panel: Press Win + . (or Win + ;) → search pound → insert £

Mac

  • UK keyboard: Press Option (⌥) + 3 → £

Copy & Paste Pound Symbol (£) (Fast)

Copy Pound Symbol (£)
Click a button to copy. A tooltip will confirm it.
Tip: Paste into Word, Excel, Google Docs, emails, and chats.

What Is the Pound Symbol (£)?

The pound sign (£) is the currency symbol for the British Pound Sterling (GBP). You’ll see it used in:

  • UK prices (example: £25)
  • invoices and receipts
  • budgets and spreadsheets
  • e-commerce listings

How to Type the Pound Symbol (£) on Windows

Method 1: Use the Keyboard Shortcut (UK Layout)

Beginner note:
On many UK keyboards, the pound sign is printed on the 3 key. That means you can type it like a normal symbol.

Steps (UK keyboard):

  1. Hold Shift
  2. Press 3
  3. You get £

If this doesn’t work: you might be using a US keyboard layout (very common). Use the next methods below.

Method 2: Alt Code (Works Best With a Numeric Keypad)

What is an Alt code?
An Alt code is a Windows shortcut that types symbols by holding Alt and entering a number code. It’s fast, but it usually requires a numeric keypad (the number pad on the right of a full keyboard).

Steps:

  1. Turn on Num Lock
  2. Hold Alt
  3. Type 0163 on the numeric keypad
  4. Release Alt → £

Common issues (quick fixes):

  • Make sure you used the numeric keypad, not the number row above the letters.
  • If you’re on a laptop, you may need Fn + NumLock to enable an embedded keypad.

Method 3: Windows Symbol Panel (Easy, No Codes)

Why this is useful:
Windows has a built-in panel where you can insert symbols without memorizing anything.

Steps:

  1. Click where you want £
  2. Press Win + . (or Win + ;)
  3. Search pound
  4. Click £

Method 4: Character Map (Windows Symbol Finder)

What it is:
Character Map is a built-in Windows tool that shows symbols available in fonts. It’s a great backup when shortcuts fail.

Steps:

  1. Open Start
  2. Search Character Map
  3. Find £
  4. Click Select → Copy
  5. Paste it into your document

How to Type the Pound Symbol (£) on Mac

Method 1: Mac Keyboard Shortcut (Most Common)

Beginner note:
On Mac, many currency symbols use the Option (⌥) key.

Shortcut:

  • Press Option (⌥) + 3 → £
    (Works for UK keyboard setups and many layouts.)

Method 2: Emoji & Symbols Viewer (Click to Insert)

What it is:
This is Mac’s built-in “symbol picker”. You can search by name and insert the symbol.

Steps:

  1. Click where you want the symbol
  2. Press Control + Command + Space
  3. Search pound
  4. Double-click £

How to Type £ in Microsoft Word (Windows and Mac)

Method 1: Use Your Keyboard Shortcut

Why this helps:
This is the quickest method if it works on your keyboard layout.

  • Windows (UK layout): Shift + 3
  • Windows (Alt code): Alt + 0163 (numeric keypad)
  • Mac: Option + 3

Method 2: Insert Symbol in Word (Best for Beginners)

What this does:
Word can insert symbols from a menu—no shortcuts needed.

Steps:

  1. Click where you want £
  2. Go to Insert → Symbol → More Symbols
  3. Choose a common font (like Calibri or Arial)
  4. Find £
  5. Click Insert

Method 3: Create a Word AutoCorrect Shortcut (Optional, Very Handy)

Why this is useful:
If you type £ often, you can make Word replace a short text with the symbol.

Steps:

  1. Go to File → Options → Proofing
  2. Click AutoCorrect Options
  3. In Replace, type: pound
  4. In With, type or insert: £
  5. Click Add → OK

Now typing pound then space can turn into £ (depending on your AutoCorrect settings).

How to Type £ in Microsoft Excel (Windows and Mac)

Method 1: Type the Symbol With a Shortcut

When to use this:
Use this if you need the pound sign inside a text label or a quick note.

  • Windows (UK layout): Shift + 3
  • Windows (Alt code): Alt + 0163
  • Mac: Option + 3

Method 2: Format Cells as Pound Sterling (Best for Real Money Tables)

Beginner tip (important):
In Excel, it’s usually better to format the cells as currency than to type the symbol yourself. This keeps the values as real numbers (so totals and formulas work properly), while Excel displays the £ automatically.

Steps:

  1. Select the cells with your amounts
  2. Go to the Home tab
  3. Open the Number Format dropdown
  4. Choose Currency or Accounting
  5. Pick £ (English – United Kingdom) (or another £ option you prefer)

How to Type £ in Google Docs

Method 1: Insert Special Characters (Beginner-Friendly)

What it is:
Google Docs has a built-in tool where you can search for symbols by name.

Steps:

  1. Click Insert
  2. Choose Special characters
  3. Search pound
  4. Click £

Method 2: Use Your Keyboard Shortcut

Why this helps:
Google Docs accepts normal keyboard input, so your usual shortcut still works.

  • Windows (UK layout): Shift + 3
  • Windows (Alt code): Alt + 0163
  • Mac: Option + 3

How to Type the Pound Symbol (£) on iPhone and Android

On iPhone (iOS)

Beginner note:
On many iPhones, £ appears under a currency key (often $) or in the symbols screen.

Steps (common):

  1. Tap 123
  2. Press and hold $ (or another currency key)
  3. Choose £
    (If you don’t see it, check the symbols pages by tapping #+=.)

On Android

Beginner note:
Android keyboards vary (Gboard, Samsung Keyboard, etc.), but £ is usually in the symbols view or under a long-press.

Steps (common):

  1. Tap ?123
  2. Look for £
  3. If it’s not visible, press and hold $ (or another currency key) and choose £ if available

Pound Symbol Not Working? Common Fixes

1) “Shift + 3 types # instead of £”

That usually means your keyboard is set to a US layout.

Fix (Windows):

  • Use Alt + 0163, or
  • Use Win + . and search “pound”, or
  • Change your keyboard layout to United Kingdom in Windows settings (only if you truly use UK layout).

2) “Alt + 0163 doesn’t work”

This usually happens when:

  • Num Lock is off
  • You used the top number row instead of the numeric keypad
  • Your laptop doesn’t have a numeric keypad enabled

Fix:

  • Turn on Num Lock
  • Use the Windows symbol panel or Character Map
  • Or insert via Word/Google Docs menus

3) “Excel keeps changing my formatting”

Excel often auto-formats currency.

Fix:

  • Use Currency/Accounting format for £ (recommended)
  • Make sure your cells are set to the correct currency

Quick Reference (Save This)

  • Windows (UK keyboard): Shift + 3
  • Windows (Alt code): Alt + 0163 (numeric keypad)
  • Mac: Option + 3
  • Word: Insert → Symbol → £
  • Excel: Format cells as Currency/Accounting (£)
  • Google Docs: Insert → Special characters → search “pound”

FAQ

Is £ the same as the hash (#) symbol?

No. On some keyboard layouts, Shift + 3 types #, while on UK layouts it types £. They’re completely different symbols.

Should I write £25 or 25£?

In most English writing, £25 is standard (symbol before the amount).