How to Type the Infinity Symbol (∞) on Any Keyboard (Windows, Mac, Word, Excel, Google Docs + Phone)

The infinity symbol (∞) is used in maths, science, and everyday writing to mean “no end” or “goes on forever.” In this guide, I’ll show you every practical way to type it on Windows, Mac, Microsoft Office, Google Docs, and phones — with clear explanations so even a total beginner can follow.

The fastest option when you’re in a hurry

Sometimes you don’t need a “typing method” at all — you just need the symbol right now. This is the quickest way because you copy the symbol and paste it anywhere (Word, WhatsApp, Excel, email, etc.).

Paste with:

• Windows: Ctrl + V
• Mac: Command + V
• Phone: tap and hold → Paste

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Method 1: Windows Alt Code (typing the symbol using a hidden keyboard code)

On Windows, Alt codes are special number shortcuts. When you hold the Alt key and type a number on the numeric keypad, Windows inserts a symbol instead of the number. This method is popular because it works in many apps (Word, Notepad, some browsers, etc.).

Option A: Alt + 8734 (MS Word)

1. Turn Num Lock ON.
2. Place your cursor where you want the symbol.
3. Hold down the Alt key.
4. Type 8734 on the numeric keypad (the number pad on the right side of the keyboard).
5. Release Alt → ∞ appears.

Option B: Alt + 236 (most reliable)

1. Turn Num Lock ON.
2. Hold Alt.
3. Type 236 on the numeric keypad.
4. Release Alt → ∞

Beginner tip: If nothing happens, it’s usually because:

• You typed the numbers on the top row (above letters) instead of the numeric keypad
• Num Lock is off
• Your laptop doesn’t have a numeric keypad (see the laptop tips below)

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Method 2: Windows laptop without a numeric keypad (what to do if Alt codes won’t type)

Many laptops don’t have a separate number pad, so the Alt-code method can fail. But that doesn’t mean you’re stuck — you can still type ∞ using Word shortcuts, built-in symbol pickers, or copy/paste.

Try one of these:

• If you’re in Word: use Method 4 (Alt + X)
• In any Windows app: use Method 6 (Windows symbol panel) or Method 7 (Character Map)
• Or just use the Quick copy at the top

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Method 3: Mac shortcut (the simplest keyboard method on Mac)

Mac has many symbols built into simple Option-key shortcuts. Instead of typing a number code like Windows, you press Option with another key and macOS inserts the symbol.

Option + 5

1. Click where you want the symbol.
2. Hold Option (⌥).
3. Press 5.
4. You get ∞.

Beginner note: If Option + 5 doesn’t type ∞, your keyboard layout may be different (this happens with some regional keyboard settings). In that case, use Method 8 (Character Viewer).

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Method 4: Microsoft Word “Alt + X” Unicode conversion (types ANY symbol in Word)

This is one of the most powerful methods in Microsoft Word. Word understands Unicode (a universal system that gives every symbol a unique code). When you type the Unicode code and press Alt + X, Word converts the code into the actual symbol.

For infinity, the Unicode code is 221E.

1. In Word, type 221E
2. Press Alt + X
3. It changes into ∞

Why this is great for beginners:

• No need for a numeric keypad
• Works even on laptops
• Very reliable inside Word

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Method 5: Insert the infinity symbol in Word (menu method — no shortcuts needed)

If you don’t like keyboard shortcuts (or you keep forgetting them), Word has a built-in symbol library. You can simply “pick” the infinity symbol from a list and insert it.

1. Place your cursor where you want ∞
2. Go to Insert → Symbol → More Symbols
3. Look for ∞
4. Click Insert
5. Close the box

Beginner tip: After inserting it once, Word often shows it in the “recently used” symbols list, so next time it’s faster.

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Method 6: Insert ∞ in Excel or PowerPoint (menu method)

Excel and PowerPoint also have the same symbol library as Word. This method is helpful because spreadsheets and slides are often used for maths, reports, and presentations.

Excel

1. Click the cell where you want the symbol
2. Go to Insert → Symbol
3. Find ∞ → Insert

PowerPoint

1. Click inside a text box
2. Go to Insert → Symbol
3. Find ∞ → Insert

Tip: In Excel, the easiest way is often just to copy ∞ and paste it into a cell.

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Method 7: Windows symbol panel (quick pop-up for symbols)

Windows has a built-in symbol/emoji panel that pops up on your screen. It’s helpful when you don’t remember codes and just want to click a symbol.

1. Click where you want the symbol.
2. Press Windows key + . (Win + period)
   (or Windows key + ; on some computers)
3. Go to the Symbols section.
4. Find ∞ and click it to insert.

Note: Some Windows versions make it easier to find than others. If you can’t find ∞ there, use Character Map (next method).

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Method 8: Character Map (Windows tool that lets you find and copy any symbol)

Character Map is a built-in Windows tool that shows symbols from installed fonts. It’s like a “symbol library” for your computer. It’s very reliable because you can always copy the symbol from it.

1. Click Start and search Character Map
2. Open it
3. Find ∞
4. Click it → Select
5. Click Copy
6. Paste it wherever you need

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Method 9: Google Docs (Insert → Special characters)

Google Docs has a built-in special character tool. You can search by name (“infinity”) and insert the symbol — no codes needed.

1. In Google Docs, click where you want the symbol
2. Go to Insert → Special characters
3. Search for infinity
4. Click ∞ to insert

This also works in Google Slides.

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Method 10: iPhone/iPad (easy ways to type ∞ on iOS)

Most iPhone keyboards don’t have the infinity symbol sitting on a key. So instead of memorizing a shortcut, the easiest method is to copy/paste or use a symbol search method (depending on your app).

Best option: Copy and paste

Copy: ∞
Then paste into Notes, WhatsApp, Word, Pages, etc.

Pro tip: If you use ∞ a lot, you can set up a text replacement:

• Settings → General → Keyboard → Text Replacement
• Set shortcut like inf → ∞

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Method 11: Android (easy ways to type ∞)

Android keyboards vary (Gboard, Samsung Keyboard, etc.), so there isn’t one single shortcut that works for everyone. That’s why copy/paste is the easiest universal option.

Best option: Copy and paste

Copy: ∞
Paste into any app.

Tip: Some keyboards let you search symbols inside the emoji/symbol section. If you can’t find it quickly, copy/paste saves time.

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Method 12: Infinity symbol for websites (Unicode + HTML codes)

If you’re typing the infinity symbol in a website, blog, or code, you may need the “code version” of the symbol. These are ways developers and bloggers insert ∞ without copying the symbol directly.

• Symbol: ∞
• Unicode: U+221E
• HTML decimal: ∞
• HTML hex: ∞
• HTML entity name: ∞

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Common problems (and simple fixes)

“My Alt code didn’t work”

This usually happens because:

• Num Lock is off
• You used the top number row, not the numeric keypad
• Your laptop has no keypad

Fix: Use Alt + 8734, or use Word Alt+X, or use Character Map.

“Alt + X didn’t convert the code”

That method is mainly for Microsoft Word (and sometimes Outlook). In other apps, use Alt codes or Insert Symbol.

“Mac Option + 5 doesn’t show ∞”

Your keyboard layout may be different. Use the Mac Character Viewer:

• Press Control + Command + Space
• Search infinity
• Insert ∞

Related Post: How to type Math Symbols