Pound Symbol (£) / Pound Sign – Keyboard, Typing & Shortcuts

Q: Can I use the regular copy-and-paste method for this symbol?

Yes. You can safely highlight the character £ from this page, copy it to your system clipboard ( Ctrl + C or Cmd + C ), and paste it directly into any document template.

Q: Why does Shift + 3 type a hashtag (#) instead of a pound sign?

This happens because your device is using a US keyboard layout. In the United States, the # symbol is commonly referred to as the "pound sign" or "number sign", whereas in the UK, it is called the "hash" key, and the actual currency symbol takes priority.

Q: What is the difference between the pound sign and the sterling symbol?

There is no difference. Both terms describe the exact same typographical glyph ( £ ) representing the currency of the United Kingdom.

The pound sign (£)—also known as the pound symbol, British pound sign, or sterling symbol—represents the official currency of the United Kingdom. It is commonly used in pricing, banking, accounting, e-commerce, invoices, and international trade.

Whether you are looking for where the pound symbol is on your keyboard, how to copy and paste the £ symbol, or how to insert it in Word, Google Docs, HTML, or LaTeX, this complete guide covers everything in one place.

Quick Guide: Typing the Pound Sign (£)

Here are the fastest ways to enter the pound symbol on common devices:

Windows: Hold Alt and type 0163 on the numeric keypad
Mac: Press Option (⌥) + 3
Linux: Press Ctrl + Shift + U, type 00A3, then hit Enter
Smartphones: Long-press the $ or € key and choose £
Unicode value: U+00A3

What Is the Pound Sign (£)?

The distinctive design of the British pound sign evolves directly from the capital letter L. This stands for libra, the Latin word for a pound by weight. The classic horizontal crossbar (or double bars in older typefaces) designates the character as a currency token rather than a standard alphabetical letter.

When formatting financial numbers, the sterling symbol always precedes the numeric value without any intervening spaces.

Correct Format: £5 | £20 | £1,500
Incorrect Format: 5£ | 20 £ | 1500£

How to Type the Pound Sign (£) on Windows

Depending on your keyboard layout and whether you have a dedicated number pad, you can use a few different methods on a Windows PC.

1. The Alt Code Shortcut (Best for Standard Keyboards)

If your keyboard has a numeric keypad on the right side, you can use an Alt code:

Hold down the Alt key.
Type 0163 or 156 on the numeric keypad.
Release the Alt key, and the £ symbol will appear.

2. The Universal Windows Shortcut

If you don’t have a number pad, you can use the built-in Windows emoji and symbol picker:

Press the Windows Key + . (Period) or Windows Key + ; (Semicolon).
Click on the Symbols icon (the Ω omega sign) at the top.
Scroll down or click on the currency tab to select £.

3. Language Layout Priority

If your operating system language is set natively to a United Kingdom (UK) keyboard layout, the secondary character mapping changes. You can generate the symbol instantly by pressing Shift + 3.

How to Type the Pound Symbol on Mac

On macOS, typing the pound sign is straightforward:

On a US Keyboard: Press Option + 3.
On a UK Keyboard: Press Shift + 3.

How to Get the Pound Sign on iPhone, iPad, and Android

Finding the pound sign on a mobile device is identical across almost all modern smartphone keyboards.

Open your keyboard and tap the Numbers and Symbols key (usually labeled 123 or ?123).
Tap the Extended Symbols key (usually labeled =/< or 1/2).
Locate and tap the £ sign.

How to Type the Pound Sign on Linux

Linux and Ubuntu users can insert the symbol using Unicode input:

Press Ctrl + Shift + U
Type 00A3
Press Enter

If the Compose key is enabled, you may also use Compose + L + –.

Pound Symbol on UK vs US Keyboards

Here’s how the £ symbol differs by keyboard type:

UK keyboards: Shift + 3
US keyboards: Alt + 0163
Mac (all regions): Option + 3

Pound Symbol Codes (Unicode, HTML, CSS)

When programming or constructing websites, use these specific formatting codes to ensure clean browser rendering across different devices:

Character	Character Name	Unicode	HTML Entity	HTML Hex Code	CSS Code
£	Pound Sign / Sterling Symbol	`U+00A3`	`£`	`£`	`\00A3`

Using the Pound Sign in Microsoft Office

You can add the pound symbol in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint by:

Typing it directly with your keyboard shortcut
Opening Insert → Symbol → More Symbols, then selecting £

Pound Symbol in Google Docs and Sheets

To insert the pound symbol in Google tools:

Use Insert → Special characters and search for “pound”
Type it using your keyboard shortcut
Copy and paste the symbol

Pound Symbol in LaTeX

In LaTeX documents, the pound symbol can be added using:

\pounds

If Unicode is supported, you can also paste the symbol directly.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Pound Sign

Can I use the regular copy-and-paste method for this symbol?

Yes. You can safely highlight the character £ from this page, copy it to your system clipboard (Ctrl + C or Cmd + C), and paste it directly into any document template.

Why does Shift + 3 type a hashtag (#) instead of a pound sign?

This happens because your device is using a US keyboard layout. In the United States, the # symbol is commonly referred to as the “pound sign” or “number sign”, whereas in the UK, it is called the “hash” key, and the actual currency symbol takes priority.

What is the difference between the pound sign and the sterling symbol?

There is no difference. Both terms describe the exact same typographical glyph (£) representing the currency of the United Kingdom.

Final Thoughts

The pound sign (£) is a key currency symbol used across the UK and internationally. Understanding what it represents, where to place it, and how to type it on different devices makes working with prices and financial information much easier.

You may also want to learn about the Euro symbol (€) and how to use it in documents, prices, and websites.