The euro symbol (€) is an essential character for anyone dealing with the European currency, whether you’re writing emails, creating documents, managing websites, or engaging in online transactions. Knowing how to quickly and efficiently type this symbol across various devices is a valuable skill. This guide provides you with all the methods you need to easily insert the euro symbol on your keyboard, smartphone, and in word processors.
Before we dive into the methods, let’s understand a bit more about the euro symbol itself.
Understanding the Euro Symbol
What is the Euro Symbol?
The euro symbol, €, represents the currency of the Eurozone, which comprises 19 of the 27 member states of the European Union. According to the official European Union explanation, the design is inspired by the Greek letter epsilon (Є), referencing Europe’s classical heritage and the beginning of the word ‘Europe’. The two parallel horizontal lines across the ‘C’ are intended to symbolize stability within the Eurozone. The symbol was officially adopted in 1995. ¹
Euro Sign Placement and Abbreviation
In currency notation, the euro sign is typically placed before the numerical amount, without any space in between. For example, ten euros is written as €10. This is the standard convention in most European countries.
When it comes to currency abbreviations in financial contexts, especially in the foreign exchange market, the euro is abbreviated to EUR. You’ll see EUR used in exchange rate listings and international price displays. For instance, you might see prices listed in EUR on menus or websites catering to an international audience.
Typing the Euro Symbol on Different Devices
Typing the euro symbol varies depending on the device you are using. Here’s a breakdown for Windows PCs, Macs, and mobile devices.
How to Type the Euro Symbol on Windows PC
For Windows users, the quickest method to type the euro symbol is using a keyboard shortcut.
Keyboard Shortcut:
- Press and hold the CTRL and ALT keys simultaneously.
- While holding them, press the number 4 key. This could be the ‘4’ on the top row of your keyboard or on the numeric keypad if you have a full-sized keyboard.
This shortcut should insert the € symbol wherever you are typing in Windows.
How to Type the Euro Symbol on Mac
Mac users also have a simple keyboard shortcut to access the euro symbol.
Keyboard Shortcut:
- Press and hold the Option (or Alt) key.
- While holding it, press the number 2 key.
- On some US keyboards, you might also need to press the Shift key in combination with Option and 2. Try Shift + Option + 2 if Option + 2 alone doesn’t work.
This combination will insert the euro symbol on your Mac.
How to Type the Euro Symbol on Mobile Devices (iOS and Android)
Typing the euro symbol on smartphones and tablets is straightforward on both iOS (Apple) and Android devices.
On iOS and Android:
- Open your device’s keyboard.
- Switch to the numbers and symbols keyboard. This is usually accessed by tapping a button labeled ‘123’ or ‘&%#’.
- Look for the € sign on the symbols keyboard. It is often readily available on the first symbols page.
- If you don’t see the euro symbol immediately, try long-pressing the dollar ($) sign. This often reveals a pop-up menu with related currency symbols, including the euro (€), pound (£), and yen (¥).
Inserting the Euro Symbol in Word Processors
If you are using a word processor like Microsoft Word or Google Docs, there’s another way to insert the euro symbol without relying on keyboard shortcuts, through the ‘Insert Symbol’ or ‘Special Characters’ feature.
Inserting Euro Symbol in Microsoft Word
- In your Word document, click on the Insert tab in the top menu ribbon.
- On the far right side of the Insert ribbon, you will find Symbol. Click on the Symbol dropdown menu.
- Select Symbol… (or More Symbols…) at the bottom of the dropdown menu.
- In the Symbol dialog box, you should be able to find and select the € symbol. You might need to adjust the ‘Font’ or ‘Subset’ to locate it if it’s not immediately visible.
- Click Insert to add the euro symbol into your document.
Inserting Euro Symbol in Google Docs
- In your Google Docs document, click on Insert in the top menu.
- Select Special characters.
- In the Special characters dialog box, in the search bar, type “euro” or simply look for the Currency category.
- You should find the € symbol among the currency symbols displayed. Click on it to insert it into your document.
Copy and Paste the Euro Symbol
For a universally accessible method, you can simply copy the euro symbol from here and paste it wherever you need it:
€
This copy-paste method is useful across all platforms and applications, especially if you frequently need the euro symbol and prefer not to memorize shortcuts or navigate menus.
Conclusion
With these methods, you are now equipped to type the euro symbol effortlessly across various devices and applications. Whether you prefer keyboard shortcuts, mobile keyboard access, word processor features, or simply copying and pasting, you can confidently use the euro symbol in all your communications and documents.
Sources used:
Sources last checked on date: 12-May-2023
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