How to Type the Copyright Symbol on Any Device

The fastest way depends on what you're typing on

The copyright symbol (©) is easiest to make on a Windows PC using Alt + 0169 on the numeric keypad. On a Mac, hold Option and press C. On an iPhone or iPad, hold down the letter C in the keyboard until a menu appears with © as an option. On Android, the method varies by keyboard app, but most let you long-press the C key or access symbols through a dedicated symbols panel.

If you're typing in a web browser or document that doesn't recognize keyboard shortcuts, you can type the HTML code © and it will convert to © automatically in most online platforms. This works in email, social media, and content management systems like WordPress.

The symbol itself is just a letter C inside a circle. It tells readers that someone owns the rights to what they're looking at. You don't need permission to type it, and it's free to use anywhere.

Key Takeaways

Windows users hold Alt and type 0169 on the numeric keypad to create ©.
Mac users press Option + C to type the copyright symbol.
On phones, long-press the C key to see © as an option in most keyboards.
Typing © in web forms and online documents converts to © automatically on most platforms.
The symbol works the same way everywhere once typed — there's no difference between methods.

Windows: Using the Alt code

The numeric keypad is the key here. Make sure Num Lock is turned on — you'll see a light on your keyboard or a small indicator on screen. Then hold down the Alt key and type 0169 using only the numbers on the right side of your keyboard, not the number row at the top.

Release Alt and the © symbol appears. This works in Word, email, browsers, and almost any text field on Windows. If nothing happens, check that Num Lock is on. Some laptops don't have a dedicated numeric keypad, so you may need to enable it using a Fn key combination — check your laptop's manual for the exact keys.

If you use this symbol often, you can save it as a quick-access item in Microsoft Word. Type © once, then go to Insert > Symbol, find it in the list, and click "AutoCorrect". You can then set it to appear whenever you type a shortcut like (c) or [c].

Mac: Using the Option key

Hold down Option (also called Alt on some Mac keyboards) and press C at the same time. The © symbol appears instantly. This works in any Mac application — Mail, Pages, web browsers, text editors, and social media.

If you forget the shortcut, you can also go to Edit > Special Characters (or Edit > Emoji & Symbols on newer Macs), search for "copyright", and click the symbol to insert it. This is slower than the keyboard shortcut but works if you only need it occasionally.

You can also add © to your Mac's text replacement shortcuts so it appears whenever you type a code. Go to System Preferences > Keyboard > Text, click the plus button, type your shortcut (like (c)), and paste © in the "With" field. From then on, typing (c) followed by a space converts to ©.

iPhone and iPad: Using the keyboard menu

Open any text field — an email, a note, a social media post. Tap and hold the C key on your keyboard. A menu pops up showing © as one of the options. Tap it and the symbol inserts into your text.

If the menu doesn't appear, make sure you're using the standard Apple keyboard. Third-party keyboard apps may work differently. Some let you swipe or tap a symbols button to access special characters, then scroll to find ©.

You can also add © to your iPhone's text shortcuts. Go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Text Replacement, tap the plus button, type your shortcut (like (c)), and paste © in the "Phrase" field. After that, typing (c) and a space will auto-complete to ©.

Android: Finding the symbol in your keyboard app

The method depends on which keyboard app you're using. On the default Google Keyboard (Gboard), tap the question mark or symbols button (usually at the bottom left), then look for a tab labeled "more" or swipe left to find additional symbols. © is usually in the second or third panel of symbols.

On Samsung keyboards, tap the symbols button and look for a second page of symbols — © is often there. On other Android keyboards, long-press the C key to see if a menu appears with © as an option, similar to iPhone.

If you use a specific keyboard app often, check its settings to see if you can add © as a custom shortcut. Most modern Android keyboards support this, though the exact steps vary by app.

Using the HTML code in web forms and online platforms

If you're typing in a web form, email client, or content management system and the keyboard shortcuts aren't working, type © (that's an ampersand, the word "copy", and a semicolon). On most platforms — WordPress, Blogger, Gmail, Facebook, Twitter, and many others — this code automatically converts to © when you publish or send.

This method is especially useful if you're copying and pasting text between different programs and the symbol keeps disappearing. The HTML code travels with your text and converts correctly no matter where you paste it.

Not all platforms support this. If © doesn't convert, fall back to your device's keyboard shortcut or copy the © symbol from another source and paste it in.

Copying and pasting from another source

If none of the above methods work, the simplest option is to find the © symbol somewhere else and copy it. You can copy it from this article, from Google (search "copyright symbol"), or from any website that displays it. Then paste it into your document or text field using Ctrl + V (Windows) or Command + V (Mac).

This is slower than using a keyboard shortcut, but it works on any device and in any application. It's also useful if you need the symbol urgently and can't remember which shortcut to use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the copyright symbol have any legal meaning?

The © symbol tells readers that someone claims copyright ownership of the work. In the United States, you don't legally need to include it — copyright exists automatically when you create something. However, including © makes your ownership clear and is standard practice. Some countries may have different rules, so check your local laws if you're publishing internationally.

Can I use the copyright symbol for things I don't own?

Technically you can type it anywhere, but using © on something you don't own is misleading and could cause legal problems. Only put © on work you created or have permission to claim ownership of. If you're quoting or using someone else's work, don't add the copyright symbol to it.

The second version includes an invisible emoji variation selector that makes some devices display it as a colorful emoji instead of a plain symbol. Both mean the same thing. Most platforms handle this automatically, so you don't need to worry about which one to use.

Why doesn't the Alt code work on my laptop?

Most laptops don't have a dedicated numeric keypad. You may need to enable Num Lock and use a Fn key combination to activate the numeric keypad overlay on your regular number keys. Check your laptop's manual for the exact combination. If that doesn't work, use the Mac method (Option + C) or copy and paste the symbol instead.

Can I make the copyright symbol bigger or smaller?

Yes. Once you've typed ©, select it and change the font size like you would any other text. In most programs, the symbol scales with the text around it. You can also make it bold, italic, or change its color using the same formatting tools you use for regular letters.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.