The cents symbol (¢) is not printed on most keyboards, but Microsoft Word gives you several quick ways to type it. You can use a built-in Word shortcut, an Alt code, a Unicode trick, or the Symbol menu, and on a Mac there is a single key combination. This guide covers every method, so you can pick whichever is fastest for you.
Quick answer
In Word for Windows, press Ctrl + / (forward slash), release both keys, then type c. Word inserts ¢. On a Mac, press Option + 4.
Method 1: Use Word’s built-in shortcut (Windows)
- Click where you want the symbol.
- Press and hold Ctrl, press the / key, then release both.
- Type a lowercase c.
This shortcut only works in Word (and Outlook, which uses Word’s editor). It does not work in other apps like Notepad or your web browser.
Method 2: Use the Alt code (Windows)
- Make sure Num Lock is on.
- Hold down Alt and type 0162 on the numeric keypad.
- Release Alt. The ¢ symbol appears.
Alt codes need the numeric keypad on the right side of a full-size keyboard. The number keys above the letters will not work. On a laptop without a keypad, use Method 1 or Method 3 instead.
Method 3: Use the Unicode shortcut (Windows)
- Type 00A2 where you want the symbol.
- Press Alt + X right away.
Word converts the code into ¢. This works on any keyboard, including laptops, and the same trick works for thousands of other characters if you know their Unicode value. If the character before your code is also a letter or number, add a space first or select just the four characters before you press Alt + X.
Method 4: Insert it from the Symbol menu
- Go to the Insert tab.
- Click Symbol at the far right, then More Symbols.
- Set Font to (normal text) and Subset to Latin-1 Supplement.
- Click the ¢ symbol, then Insert, and Close.
Once you have used it, ¢ appears in the small recent symbols list under Insert > Symbol, so next time it is just two clicks. For a full walkthrough of this menu, see how to insert symbols in Word.
Method 5: Use the keyboard shortcut on a Mac
In Word for Mac, and in almost any other Mac app, press Option + 4 to type ¢. This works with the standard US keyboard layout. You can also open Edit > Emoji & Symbols (or press Control + Command + Space) and search for “cent”.
Method 6: Use the Windows symbol panel
Press Windows key + . (period) to open the emoji panel, click the Ω (Symbols) tab, choose Currency symbols, and click ¢. This works in any Windows app, not just Word.
Method 7: Create an AutoCorrect shortcut
If you type prices in cents often, have Word replace a short code automatically.
- Insert a ¢ symbol using any method above, then select it.
- Go to File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options.
- In the Replace box, type a code you will not use otherwise, such as /cent. The ¢ already appears in the With box.
- Click Add, then OK.
Now typing /cent followed by a space turns into ¢.
Tips for using the cents symbol
- The cents symbol goes after the number with no space: 99¢.
- For amounts of a dollar or more, use the dollar sign and decimals instead: $1.25, not 125¢.
- If the symbol looks odd, check the font. Almost every standard font includes ¢, but some decorative fonts do not.
Other symbols you might need
The same methods work for most special characters. See our guides on the trademark symbol in Word and the copyright symbol in Word.
Frequently asked questions
Why does Alt + 0162 type nothing or the wrong character?
Either Num Lock is off or you used the number row instead of the numeric keypad. Some laptops have a hidden keypad you can turn on with Fn + Num Lk, but Ctrl + / followed by c is easier in Word.
Does the Ctrl + / shortcut work in Word on the web?
Not reliably. In Word for the web, use Insert > Symbol, the Windows emoji panel, or Option + 4 on a Mac.
Can I type the cents symbol on an iPhone or Android phone?
Yes. On most phone keyboards, switch to the numbers view and press and hold the $ key. A row of currency symbols pops up, and ¢ is usually among them.
Is there a cents symbol in Google Docs?
Yes. In Google Docs, use Insert > Special characters and search for “cent”, or use the Alt code or Option + 4 shortcuts, which work in the browser too.
Summary
- Windows Word: Ctrl + /, then c.
- Any Windows app: Alt + 0162 on the numeric keypad.
- Word: type 00A2, then Alt + X.
- Insert > Symbol > More Symbols for a menu option.
- Mac: Option + 4.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.