The fastest way to insert a check mark

The quickest method is to use the Insert menu. Open your Word document, click the Insert tab at the top, then click Symbol on the right side of the ribbon. A dropdown menu appears — click More Symbols at the bottom. In the dialog box that opens, type 2713 in the "Character code" field at the bottom right. Word highlights the check mark symbol. Click Insert, then close the dialog.

This method works the same way in Word for Windows and Word for Mac. The symbol appears exactly where your cursor was positioned in the document.

Key Takeaways

  • The Insert > Symbol > More Symbols route with character code 2713 is the most reliable way to add a check mark in any version of Word.
  • You can copy a check mark from the Character Map (Windows) or Character Viewer (Mac) and paste it anywhere in your document.
  • The Wingdings font contains multiple check mark styles, accessible through the same Symbol dialog by changing the font dropdown.
  • Once you insert a check mark, you can copy it and reuse it throughout your document without repeating the insertion steps.
  • Keyboard shortcuts for check marks do not exist in Word by default, but you can create a custom AutoCorrect entry to type one automatically.

Using the Character Map or Character Viewer

Windows users can open the Character Map application by pressing the Windows key, typing "character map," and pressing Enter. Search for "check" in the search field. Double-click the check mark symbol to select it, then click Copy. Return to your Word document and paste it where you need it.

Mac users follow a similar path: open Character Viewer by pressing Control + Command + Space. Search for "check mark" in the search box. Double-click the symbol you want, and it inserts directly into your document. You can also click the symbol and then click the insert button at the bottom right.

Finding different check mark styles in Wingdings

Word's Symbol dialog contains multiple check mark designs. Go to Insert > Symbol > More Symbols, then change the font dropdown from "normal text" to Wingdings. Several check mark variations appear in this font — some are solid, some are outlined, and some are styled differently. Scroll through to find the style you prefer, then click Insert.

Wingdings also contains ballot boxes (empty squares) and X marks if you need those symbols instead. The character codes for Wingdings check marks are different from standard Unicode, so using the font dropdown is the easiest way to browse them.

Creating an AutoCorrect shortcut for faster typing

If you insert check marks frequently, you can set up Word to type one automatically. First, insert a check mark using the Symbol dialog and copy it to your clipboard. Then go to File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options. In the "Replace" field, type a shortcut like :check: or checkmark. In the "With" field, paste the check mark symbol. Click Add, then OK.

From that point forward, whenever you type your shortcut and press Space or Enter, Word replaces it with the check mark. This saves time if you use check marks in lists, forms, or documents regularly.

Copying and pasting a check mark you have already inserted

Once you have inserted a check mark into your document, the simplest way to add more is to copy and paste it. Click on the check mark to position your cursor next to it, then select it by clicking and dragging or by triple-clicking the line it is on. Press Ctrl+C (Windows) or Command+C (Mac) to copy. Click where you want another check mark and press Ctrl+V or Command+V to paste.

This method is faster than opening the Symbol dialog each time, especially if you are filling in a checklist or form with many check marks. You can paste the same symbol as many times as you need in a single document.

Using check boxes instead of symbols

If you are creating a form or checklist, Word offers interactive checkboxes that users can click to mark as complete. Go to Developer > Check Box Content Control (Windows) or Insert > Form Controls > Check Box (Mac). This creates a box that readers can click to toggle on or off, rather than a static symbol.

To enable the Developer tab on Windows, go to File > Options > Customize Ribbon and check the Developer box. On Mac, the option is under Word > Preferences > Ribbon & Toolbar. Interactive checkboxes are useful for documents that others will fill out digitally, while symbols work better for printed documents or static lists.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the character code for a check mark in Word?

The most common check mark uses character code 2713. Enter this in the "Character code" field in the Symbol dialog (Insert > Symbol > More Symbols) to find it instantly. Other Unicode check mark variations exist with different codes, but 2713 is the standard one most people recognize.

Can I make a check mark larger or change its color?

Yes. After inserting a check mark, select it and use the font size dropdown to make it larger. You can also change its color by selecting it and clicking the font color button in the toolbar. The check mark behaves like any other text character once it is in your document.

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

Check marks render differently depending on the font installed on each computer. If you want the symbol to look the same for everyone, select it and change the font to one that is standard across Windows and Mac, such as Calibri or Arial. Wingdings symbols may not display correctly if the recipient does not have that font installed.

Is there a keyboard shortcut to type a check mark directly?

Word does not have a built-in keyboard shortcut for check marks. However, you can create one using AutoCorrect (File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options). Set a shortcut like :check: to replace with a check mark symbol, then Word will insert it whenever you type that code.

Can I insert a check mark in a table cell?

Yes. Click inside the table cell where you want the check mark, then use Insert > Symbol > More Symbols and follow the same steps. The check mark inserts into the cell just as it would in regular text. You can also copy and paste a check mark you have already created into any cell.