The fastest way to add a check mark

The quickest method is to use Word's Insert Symbol feature. Open your document, click where you want the check mark, go to the Insert tab at the top, select Symbol (on the right side of the ribbon), then click More Symbols. In the dialog box that opens, type 2713 in the "Character code" field at the bottom right. Word will jump to the check mark. Click Insert, then Close.

This takes about ten seconds once you know where to look. The check mark appears in your document at the cursor position, and you can resize it or change its color like any other text.

If you use check marks often, you can add one to your Quick Access Toolbar so it appears in one click. After inserting a check mark using the method above, right-click it in your document and select Add to Quick Access Toolbar. From then on, you can insert a check mark by clicking that toolbar button.

Key Takeaways

  • The Insert Symbol method (Insert tab → Symbol → More Symbols, then type 2713) works in all versions of Word and takes about ten seconds.
  • You can copy a check mark from anywhere online and paste it directly into Word, then reuse it by copying and pasting again.
  • Wingdings font contains several check mark styles, accessible through Insert → Symbol or by typing the character code directly after switching fonts.
  • For checkboxes in forms or lists, use the Wingdings font character code 254 (☐) or 252 (☒) for a pre-filled box.

Using Wingdings font for different check mark styles

Word's Wingdings font includes multiple check mark and checkbox options. To access them, go to Insert → Symbol → More Symbols, then change the font dropdown from "normal text" to Wingdings. You'll see several check mark variations: a simple checkmark, a heavier one, and boxes you can check off.

The character codes for Wingdings check marks are: 251 for a standard check mark, 252 for a checked box (☒), and 254 for an empty checkbox (☐). Type the code in the Character code field and Word jumps to that symbol.

Wingdings check marks often look cleaner and more professional than the default symbol, especially if you're building a checklist or form. You can change the font size and color after inserting them just like regular text.

Copying and pasting a check mark

If you already have a check mark somewhere—from another document, a website, or even an email—you can copy it and paste it into Word. Highlight the check mark, press Ctrl+C (or Cmd+C on Mac), click in your Word document where you want it, and press Ctrl+V (or Cmd+V). The check mark appears instantly.

This method is useful if you've already found a check mark style you like. Once it's in your document, you can copy it again and paste it as many times as you need. You can also save a document with your preferred check mark and use it as a template for future documents.

Creating a checklist with check marks

To build a checklist, start by typing your list items. After each item, press Tab to move to the end of the line, then insert a check mark using any method above. Alternatively, use Word's built-in bullet list feature: go to Home → Bullets, choose a bullet style, then replace the bullets with check marks by selecting all the bullets and using Insert Symbol to swap them out.

For interactive checkboxes that readers can click to check off, use the Developer tab. Go to File → Options → Customize Ribbon, check the Developer box, then click OK. The Developer tab now appears in your ribbon. Click Developer → Checkbox Content Control to insert a clickable box. This works best for forms you'll share digitally.

Changing the size and color of check marks

After inserting a check mark, select it by clicking and dragging across it or triple-clicking the line it's on. You can then change its size using the font size dropdown in the Home tab (usually shows "11" or "12" by default). Increase the number to make it larger, decrease it to make it smaller.

To change the color, select the check mark, go to the Home tab, find the Font Color button (usually marked with an "A" and a colored bar), and click the dropdown arrow next to it. Choose any color from the palette. This is useful if you want check marks to stand out or match your document's color scheme.

Keyboard shortcuts for faster insertion

Word doesn't have a built-in keyboard shortcut for check marks, but you can create one. Go to File → Options → Quick Access Toolbar, then click More Commands

To set up AutoCorrect, go to File → Options → Proofing → AutoCorrect Options. Click the AutoCorrect tab, type your shortcut in the "Replace" field (like ":check:"), paste or type the check mark in the "With" field, then click Add. From then on, typing your shortcut and pressing space automatically inserts the check mark.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my check mark look different on someone else's computer?

Check marks are symbols, and different fonts render them differently. If you use a symbol from a special font like Wingdings, the recipient's computer needs that font installed to display it the same way. To avoid this, use standard Unicode check marks (character code 2713) or embed fonts in your document by going to File → Options → Save and checking "Embed fonts in the file."

Can I make a check mark that people can click to toggle on and off?

Yes, but only in Word documents saved as .docx files. Use the Developer tab (enable it in File → Options → Customize Ribbon) and click Checkbox Content Control. Readers can then click the box to check or uncheck it. This doesn't work in older .doc format or in PDFs.

What's the difference between a check mark and a checkbox?

A check mark (✓) is a symbol you insert as text. A checkbox (☐) is an empty square, often used in forms and lists. Both can be inserted the same way through Insert → Symbol. Checkboxes are typically used when you want readers to mark items off, while check marks are used to indicate completion or approval.

How do I insert a check mark on a Mac?

The process is identical. Go to Insert → Symbol → More Symbols, type 2713 in the Character code field, and click Insert. You can also press Option + V on a Mac keyboard to type a check mark directly in some applications, though this doesn't work in all versions of Word.

Can I use a check mark in a table cell?

Yes. Click inside the table cell where you want the check mark, then use any of the insertion methods described above. The check mark behaves like regular text inside the cell and can be formatted, resized, and colored the same way.