How to Insert the Cent Symbol (¢) on Your Keyboard

The cent symbol (¢) is often used in financial contexts, especially when referring to small monetary amounts. While the dollar sign ($) is prominently featured on most keyboards, the cent symbol is not as easily accessible. However, whether you’re using Windows, Mac, or even mobile devices, inserting the cent symbol is quite simple once you know the right methods. This guide will walk you through how to type the cent symbol on various devices.

Inserting the Cent Symbol on Windows

On Windows, you can insert the cent symbol using a simple keyboard shortcut. However, this requires using the numeric keypad, so make sure that your keyboard has one and that the Num Lock key is turned on.

To type the cent symbol, hold down the Alt key on your keyboard and type 0162 on the numeric keypad. After you release the Alt key, the cent symbol (¢) will appear in your text.

If your keyboard does not have a numeric keypad, you can insert the cent symbol using the Character Map tool. To do this, follow these steps:

Open the Start Menu and search for “Character Map.”

In the Character Map window, look for the cent symbol (¢). You may need to scroll or search for it manually.

Once you find it, click on the symbol, select Copy, and then paste it into your document or text field.

This method is especially helpful for laptops or smaller keyboards without a dedicated numeric keypad.

Inserting the Cent Symbol on a Mac

Mac users have an even easier method for inserting the cent symbol. Apple keyboards come with a built-in shortcut to type special characters like the cent sign.

To insert the cent symbol on a Mac, hold down the Option key and press the number 4. The cent symbol (¢) will instantly appear wherever your cursor is located.

This shortcut works across most applications, including text editors, browsers, and word processors. If the shortcut does not work for some reason, you can access the cent symbol through the Character Viewer:

Press Control + Command + Space to open the Character Viewer.

Search for “cent” in the search bar.

Select the cent symbol and click to insert it into your document.

Inserting the Cent Symbol on Mobile Devices

Typing the cent symbol on mobile devices, whether iOS or Android, requires accessing the special character keyboard.

For iPhone and iPad users:

Open your keyboard in any app where you can type text.

Tap the 123 key to switch to the numbers and symbols keyboard.

Press and hold the $ key. A small menu will appear showing additional currency symbols.

Slide your finger to the cent symbol (¢) and release to insert it.

On Android devices, the steps are similar but may vary slightly depending on your keyboard app:

Tap the ?123 key to access symbols.

Press and hold the $ key or find the currency symbols section.

Select the cent symbol (¢) from the list of options.

If you can’t locate the cent symbol on your mobile keyboard, you can copy and paste it from the web as a quick alternative.

Inserting the Cent Symbol in Word and Other Programs

For programs like Microsoft Word, you can use specific tools to insert the cent symbol. One option is to use the built-in Symbol menu:

Go to the Insert tab in Word.

Click on Symbol and then select More Symbols.

In the window that opens, look for the cent symbol (¢) under the Currency Symbols section.

Click Insert to place the symbol in your document.

Additionally, in Word, you can use the Alt + 0162 shortcut method mentioned earlier if you’re using Windows.

While the cent symbol (¢) is not directly visible on most keyboards, inserting it is relatively easy once you know the right shortcuts or tools. On Windows, using the Alt key with numeric codes works effectively, while Mac users can quickly insert the symbol with the Option + 4 shortcut. Mobile users can rely on long-press options on their keyboards to find the cent symbol. Whether you’re working on a document, writing an email, or making a financial note, these methods allow you to insert the cent sign quickly and efficiently.