How to Type the Backslash Symbol on Your Keyboard

The backslash \ (also called a reverse solidus) is the “slash going the other way.” You’ll see it a lot in:

Windows file paths like C:\Users\Name
Coding (escape characters and commands)
Some URLs, terminal commands, and settings

Don’t confuse it with the forward slash / (the one used in web links like /about/). They look similar, but they’re different characters and often mean different things.

Table of Contents

1-Minute Answer (fastest ways)

Windows (fastest)

Use the backslash key (most common): it’s usually near the Enter key and often shares a key with | (pipe).
Alt code: Hold Alt and type 92 on the numeric keypad, then release Alt.
Windows symbol panel: Press Win + . (or Win + ;) and check Symbols/Kaomoji. If you can’t find it quickly, use Character Map instead.

Backslash key on Windows keyboard — Backslash key on Windows before the Enter key

Mac (fastest)

Use the backslash key (location depends on your keyboard layout).The backslash key on Mac
Character Viewer: Press Control + Command + Space, search backslash, then insert it.

Important: There isn’t one universal “Mac shortcut” for backslash besides using the key itself. The key position and what you press can change depending on your keyboard layout (US vs UK vs European layouts).

Word / Excel / Google Docs (if your key isn’t available)

Word/Excel/PowerPoint: use Insert → Symbol (or copy/paste).
Google Docs: use Insert → Special characters and search backslash.

Quick reference (Backslash )

Symbol: \
Name: Backslash (Reverse solidus)
Unicode: U+005C
Windows Alt code: Alt + 92 (numeric keypad)
HTML: \
Common “US keyboard key”: usually near Enter/Return, often the same key as | (pipe)

Item	Value
Symbol	\
Name	Backslash / Reverse solidus
Unicode	U+005C
Windows Alt code	Alt + 92
HTML	\
Typical key location (US)	Near Enter/Return, often shared with \|

A) Find the backslash key on your keyboard (most important)

On many keyboards, the backslash \ is on a key close to Enter/Return and often shares the same key as the pipe symbol |.

Common locations you can check

US (ANSI) keyboards (common desktop layout):
Usually just above Enter or next to it, often on the same key as |.
Some laptops / compact keyboards:
The key may be smaller, moved, or require Fn or AltGr (common on some European keyboards).
UK/European keyboards:
The backslash position can be different from US keyboards.

Tip: Look for a key that shows \ and | together. If you see |, the backslash is often on that same key.

B) Windows methods

Method 1: Use the backslash key (recommended)

Click where you want to type it.
Press the key that has \ (often shared with |).

If the key also has |:

Pressing it normally usually types \
Pressing it with Shift often types |
(But this can vary by keyboard layout.)

Method 2: Use the Alt code (Alt + 92)

This works on Windows if you have a numeric keypad.

Click where you want the symbol.
Turn Num Lock ON.
Hold Alt.
Type 92 on the numeric keypad (not the number row above letters).
Release Alt → you should see \

Laptop without a numpad?

Some laptops have a “hidden numpad” (usually needs Fn + Num Lock or Fn + NmLk).
If your laptop truly has no numpad, use Character Map or copy/paste instead.

Method 3: Windows symbol panel (Win + .)

Press Win + . (or Win + ;).
Look for a Symbols section.

If you don’t find backslash quickly, don’t waste time here—use Character Map (next method). Backslash is a basic character and is usually easiest to type from the keyboard or insert by name.

Method 4: Character Map (search “Reverse solidus”)

Open the Start menu and search Character Map.
Open it, then turn on Advanced view (if you see that option).
Search for Reverse solidus.
Select \, click Select, then Copy.
Paste with Ctrl + V.

C) Mac methods

Method 1: Use the backslash key

On many Mac keyboards, backslash is near the Return key, but the exact position depends on your keyboard layout (US vs UK vs others).

If you can’t find it:

Check keys near Return, Shift, and the right side of the keyboard.
Make sure you’re using the keyboard layout you expect (see the keyboard layout section below).

backslash key on Mac keyboard — The backslash key on Mac

Method 2: Character Viewer (search “backslash”)

Place your cursor where you want the symbol.
Press Control + Command + Space to open Character Viewer.
Search for backslash.
Click \ to insert it.

D) Microsoft Word (Windows/Mac)

Use the key (best)

If your keyboard has the key, just press it.

Insert via the menu (works everywhere)

Go to Insert → Symbol → More Symbols.
Look in Basic Latin.
Select \ and click Insert.

Word-only advanced tip (Windows)

If you use Word on Windows, you can try:

Type 005C
Then press Alt + X
Word should convert it to \.

Optional: AutoCorrect tip (for frequent use)

If you type backslash often, you can set an AutoCorrect shortcut like:

bslash → \

(You’ll create this in Word’s AutoCorrect options after inserting the symbol once.)

E) Excel / PowerPoint

Use the key

If the key exists on your keyboard, that’s the easiest way.

Insert Symbol (Excel/PowerPoint)

Insert → Symbol
Find \ (usually under Basic Latin)
Insert it

On Windows, you can also use Alt + 92 if you have a numeric keypad.

F) Google Docs

Use the key

If the backslash key exists on your keyboard, just press it.

Fallback: Insert special characters

Go to Insert → Special characters
Search backslash
Click \ to insert

G) iPhone / Android (brief)

On phones, backslash is usually on the symbols keyboard (often under ?123 or #+=), but the exact location depends on:

Your keyboard app (Gboard, Samsung Keyboard, iOS keyboard, etc.)
Your language/layout settings

If you can’t find it, copy/paste this: \ (copy one \ only).

Keyboard layout matters (very important for backslash)

Backslash is one of those characters that can move around depending on your keyboard layout.

Simple fixes if your keys don’t match what you see online

Option 1: Switch to a US keyboard layout temporarily (easy test)

Windows: You can switch layouts with Win + Space (if multiple layouts are installed).
You can add layouts in Settings → Time & language → Language & region → Keyboards.
Mac: Add/switch input sources in System Settings → Keyboard → Text Input (Input Sources).
You can often switch using the input menu in the menu bar (or your configured shortcut).

Option 2: Use Character Map / Character Viewer

Windows: Character Map → search Reverse solidus
Mac: Character Viewer → search backslash

Option 3: Some keyboards use AltGr
On some UK/European keyboards, you may need AltGr (right Alt) plus another key to type backslash.

Troubleshooting

“I don’t have a backslash key.”

This is common on compact/mini keyboards or unusual layouts.
Use Character Map (Windows) or Character Viewer (Mac).
Or use the copy/paste backslash near the top of this page.

“Alt + 92 doesn’t work.”

Common reasons:

You typed 92 on the number row (this usually won’t work). You must use the numeric keypad.
Num Lock is off.
Your laptop has no numpad (use Character Map or copy/paste instead).

“I’m getting a different symbol.”

That usually means a keyboard layout mismatch (example: UK layout vs US layout).

Switch to the correct layout (see the keyboard layout section).
Or insert it by name (Reverse solidus / backslash).

“I need backslash in a file path.”

A normal Windows path looks like this:

C:\Users\Name\Documents

If you’re typing a path and can’t produce \, use:

Alt + 92 (Windows with numpad)
Or copy/paste the backslash from this page.

FAQ

Where is the backslash key?

Usually near the Enter/Return key and often shared with | (pipe). On UK/European layouts, the position can be different.

What is the Alt code for backslash?

Alt + 92 (Windows, using the numeric keypad).

How do I type backslash on a laptop without a numpad?

Use Character Map (Windows), Character Viewer (Mac), or copy/paste \ from this page.

How do I insert backslash in Word / Google Docs?

Word: Insert → Symbol → More Symbols → (Basic Latin) → \
Google Docs: Insert → Special characters → search “backslash”

What’s the difference between / and \ ?

/ is the forward slash (common in web links and many file paths on the web/Linux).
\ is the backslash (very common in Windows file paths and some programming/escape sequences).

Quick recap

First, find the backslash key near Enter/Return (often shared with |).
On Windows, Alt + 92 works if you have a numeric keypad.
If your layout is different, use Character Map / Character Viewer or switch keyboard layout temporarily.
Copy/paste: \