How to Type a Euro Symbol: A Comprehensive Guide

Need to use the euro symbol (€) in your writing, but unsure how to get it on your keyboard or phone? You’re not alone! The euro symbol is essential for anyone dealing with European currency, whether you’re writing emails, creating documents, managing websites, or even just sending social media messages. This guide will walk you through all the different ways you can type the euro symbol on various devices and platforms, ensuring you’re always ready to represent prices and amounts in euros correctly.

Before we dive into the “how-to,” let’s understand a bit more about the symbol itself. The euro symbol, €, is more than just a currency sign; it’s a representation of European unity and stability. Designed to be easily recognizable, it’s based on the Greek letter epsilon (Є) – a nod to the cradle of European civilization – and also cleverly incorporates the first letter of “Europe”. The two parallel horizontal lines across the ‘C’ shape signify the stability of the euro. Officially adopted in 1995, this symbol has become a ubiquitous part of financial and everyday communication across the Eurozone and beyond.

When writing amounts, remember that the euro symbol typically precedes the number without any space in between. For example, ten euros should be written as €10. In the world of foreign exchange, the euro is abbreviated to EUR. You’ll see this abbreviation widely used in currency exchange rates and on international price lists.

Now, let’s get to the practical part: typing the euro symbol! We’ll cover methods for Windows PCs, Macs, mobile devices, and even word processors.

Typing the Euro Symbol on Windows PCs

For Windows users, there are a couple of straightforward methods to insert the euro symbol using your keyboard:

Using the Keyboard Shortcut

The quickest way to type the euro symbol on a Windows PC is using a simple keyboard shortcut. Here’s how:

1. Press and hold down the CTRL and ALT keys simultaneously.
2. While holding these keys, press the number 4 key. This could be the 4 on the top row of your keyboard or the 4 on the numeric keypad, if you have a full-sized keyboard.
3. Release all keys. The euro symbol (€) should appear where your cursor is.

This shortcut is widely compatible across different Windows applications and programs, making it a handy trick to remember.

Using the Character Map

If keyboard shortcuts aren’t your preference, or if they aren’t working for some reason, Windows offers a built-in tool called “Character Map.” This allows you to find and insert all sorts of special characters, including the euro symbol.

1. Open the Character Map: Click on the Start Menu, type Character Map, and select the Character Map application.
2. Find the Euro Symbol: In the Character Map window, ensure that “Unicode” is selected in the “Character set” dropdown and “Unicode Subrange” is set to “Currency Symbols” or simply scroll through the characters. You can also type “euro” in the “Search for” box to quickly locate it.
3. Select and Copy: Click on the euro symbol (€), then click the “Select” button, and then the “Copy” button.
4. Paste: Go to your document or application and press CTRL + V to paste the euro symbol.

The Character Map is a reliable alternative, especially if you need to insert the euro symbol infrequently or need to find other less common symbols.

Typing the Euro Symbol on Macs

Mac users also have easy ways to type the euro symbol, utilizing keyboard shortcuts and a built-in character viewer.

Using the Keyboard Shortcut

The primary keyboard shortcut for the euro symbol on a Mac is:

1. Press and hold the Option (or Alt) key.
2. While holding the Option key, press the number 2 key.
3. Release both keys. The euro symbol (€) will appear.

On some US keyboards, you might need to include the Shift key as well: Shift + Option + 2. Experiment to see which combination works best for your specific Mac keyboard layout.

Using the Character Viewer

Similar to Windows’ Character Map, macOS has a “Character Viewer” that provides access to a wide range of symbols and characters.

1. Open Character Viewer: Press Control + Command + Spacebar. Alternatively, go to “Edit” in the menu bar of many applications, and select “Emoji & Symbols.”
2. Find the Euro Symbol: In the Character Viewer, you can search for “euro” in the search bar at the top right. You can also browse by category; look for “Currency Symbols.”
3. Insert the Symbol: Once you find the euro symbol (€), simply double-click it to insert it into your document. You can also drag and drop it into your desired location.

The Character Viewer is a versatile tool for finding and inserting not just the euro symbol but also emojis, other currency symbols, and special characters.

Inserting the Euro Symbol on Mobile Devices (iOS and Android)

Typing the euro symbol on your smartphone or tablet is surprisingly simple. Both iOS (Apple) and Android devices make it easily accessible through the on-screen keyboard.

On iOS Devices (iPhone, iPad)

1. Open the Keyboard: Bring up the keyboard in any app where you can type text (messages, email, notes, etc.).
2. Access Numbers and Symbols: Tap the 123 button (or .?123 depending on your keyboard layout) typically located in the bottom left corner to switch to the numbers and symbols keyboard.
3. Find the Euro Symbol: On the symbols keyboard, you should readily see the euro symbol (€) as one of the primary options.
4. Alternatively, Long Press on the Dollar Sign: If you don’t see the euro symbol immediately, press and hold down the dollar sign ($) key. A pop-up menu will appear showing related currency symbols, including the euro. Slide your finger to the euro symbol and release to select it.

On Android Devices

1. Open the Keyboard: As with iOS, open the keyboard in any text input area.
2. Access Symbols: Tap the ?12! button (or similar, depending on your keyboard and language settings) to switch to the symbols keyboard.
3. Locate the Euro Symbol: Similar to iOS, the euro symbol (€) might be directly visible on the symbols keyboard.
4. Long Press for More Currency Symbols: If you don’t see it right away, press and hold down the dollar sign ($) key. This will usually bring up a selection of currency symbols, including the euro. Slide to the euro symbol and release.

These methods work across most apps on both iOS and Android, making it easy to type the euro symbol on the go.

Inserting the Euro Symbol in Word Processors (Microsoft Word & Google Docs)

Popular word processors like Microsoft Word and Google Docs offer dedicated features for inserting symbols, including the euro symbol, without needing to rely solely on keyboard shortcuts.

In Microsoft Word

1. Go to the “Insert” Tab: In the Word ribbon at the top, click on the “Insert” tab.
2. Click on “Symbol”: On the far right of the “Insert” tab, you’ll find a “Symbol” dropdown menu. Click on it.
3. Select “Symbol” or “More Symbols”: If the euro symbol is in the recently used symbols, it might appear directly in the dropdown. If not, click on “More Symbols…” to open the Symbol dialog box.
4. Find and Insert: In the “Symbols” dialog, ensure the “Font” is set to “(normal text)” and the “Subset” is set to “Currency Symbols” (or just scroll through). Select the euro symbol (€) and click “Insert,” then “Close.”

In Google Docs

1. Go to “Insert” in the Menu: In the Google Docs menu at the top, click on “Insert.”
2. Select “Special characters”: From the “Insert” dropdown menu, choose “Special characters.”
3. Search for “Euro”: In the “Special characters” pop-up, you can draw the euro symbol in the drawing box, or type “euro” in the search bar to find it.
4. Insert the Symbol: Click on the euro symbol (€) from the search results to insert it into your Google Doc.

Both Word and Google Docs provide these symbol insertion features, which are particularly useful when you need to insert the euro symbol or other special characters frequently within documents.

By mastering these various methods, you’ll be well-equipped to type the euro symbol no matter what device or software you are using. From keyboard shortcuts to mobile device tricks and word processor features, you can confidently use the euro symbol in all your communications.

Disclaimer: Please refer to the Terms of Use and Fees & Pricing pages on the Wise website for the most accurate and updated information regarding their services.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.