How to Type the Bitcoin Symbol (₿) on Any Device

Here is a quick guide to adding the Unicode character U+20BF to your documents, messages, and social media posts on Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android.

The Scenario

You have just finished putting together an invoice for a client who prefers to pay in crypto, or you are lining up a post about the latest market move. Your fingers go straight to the dollar sign ($), then you hesitate.

You do not want to write BTC or Bitcoin. You want it to look clean and professional. You want the official ₿ symbol.

The dollar ($), euro (€) and pound (£) signs are printed directly on most keyboards. The Bitcoin symbol, howevefr, lives a little deeper inside your device. Here is how to find it on almost anything you use.

How to Type ₿ on Windows

On Windows, you can type special characters using Alt Codes if you have a keyboard with a numeric keypad. This is the block of numbers usually found on the right-hand side of a full-sized keyboard.

Method 1: Alt Code (works in most apps)

1. Click where you want the symbol to appear.
2. Make sure Num Lock is turned on.
3. Hold down the Alt key on your keyboard.
4. While holding Alt, type 8383 on the numeric keypad.
5. Release the Alt key. The ₿ symbol should appear straight away.

If nothing appears, check that you are using the numeric keypad, not the number row above the letters.

Method 2: Hex Code in Microsoft Word

If you do not have a numeric keypad, or the Alt code does not work in your program, you can use the Unicode Hex method in Microsoft Word.

1. Type 20BF where you want the symbol.
2. Immediately press Alt + X.
3. Word will convert 20BF into ₿.

This only works in Word and a few other Microsoft Office programs, not across Windows as a whole.

How to Type ₿ on Mac

macOS does not include a built-in keyboard shortcut for the Bitcoin symbol. It does, however, make it easy to insert the symbol and then turn it into a quick shortcut of your own.

Method 1: Emoji & Character Viewer

1. Place your cursor where you want the symbol.
2. Press Control + Command + Space to open the Emoji & Character Viewer.
3. In the search bar, type “Bitcoin”.
4. Click the ₿ symbol to insert it.

This is handy if you only use the symbol occasionally.

Method 2: Text Replacement (recommended for frequent use)

If you type the symbol often, set up a Text Replacement so macOS automatically swaps a short code for ₿.

1. Go to System Settings > Keyboard.
2. Click Text Replacements.
3. Click the + (plus) button.
4. In the Replace column, type a trigger, for example (b) or btcsym.
5. In the With column, paste the Bitcoin symbol (copy this first: ₿).
6. Close the window to save.

From now on, whenever you type your trigger and press space or punctuation, your Mac will replace it with ₿.

How to Type ₿ on iPhone and Android

On mobile, the Bitcoin symbol is not usually on the default keyboard. The quickest long-term fix is to use Text Replacement so your phone turns a shortcut into the ₿ symbol automatically.

iPhone (iOS)

1. Copy the Bitcoin symbol: ₿
2. Go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Text Replacement.
3. Tap the + in the top right corner.
4. Paste ₿ into the Phrase field.
5. Enter a shortcut in the Shortcut field, for example btc or ;btc.
6. Tap Save.

When you next type your shortcut, iOS will suggest the ₿ symbol above the keyboard. Tap it to insert, or enable automatic replacement if you prefer.

Android

Exact menu names can vary depending on your phone brand and keyboard app, but the idea is the same.

1. Copy the Bitcoin symbol: ₿
2. Open Settings, then look for System or General Management.
3. Go to Languages & input, then Personal dictionary or similar.
   • On some devices you may find this inside your keyboard settings, for example Gboard or Samsung Keyboard.
4. Choose your language if prompted.
5. Tap the + button to add a new entry.
6. Paste ₿ into the main text field.
7. Add a shortcut, for example btc.
8. Save.

When you type your shortcut in most apps, your keyboard should suggest ₿. Tap the suggestion to insert the symbol.

Real-Life Examples: When to Use the Symbol

Using the correct symbol can make your documents and posts look more polished and easier to read.

• Invoices and quotes
  Writing ₿0.05 instead of “0.05 Bitcoin” matches the way we normally show currencies, similar to writing AUD $50.00 instead of “50 dollars”. It is clear and compact.

• Social media tickers
  On platforms with tight character limits, using something like “$65k ₿” is shorter and neater than typing “65k USD per Bitcoin”.

• Price pairs and charts
  In trading views, the symbol often marks the base asset. For example, Ethereum priced in Bitcoin might appear as Ξ/₿, which is read as Ether per Bitcoin.

Security Red Flag: The Look-Alike Scam

Using the symbol is safe. The real risk appears when you are reading what others have written, especially in website addresses or wallet details.

Scammers use a trick called a homograph (or homoglyph) attack. They replace letters or symbols with characters from other alphabets that look almost identical. The text looks right at a glance, but the underlying characters are different.

How to stay safe:

• Do not trust a URL just because it looks correct.
  Click the padlock in your browser and check the security certificate to confirm the site you are on.

• Bookmark official websites.
  Access your exchange, wallet or bank from your own bookmarks. Avoid clicking login links in emails, ads, or direct messages, even if they look perfect.

• Use plain text to inspect suspicious content.
  If you copy a wallet address or URL from somewhere you do not fully trust, paste it into a plain text editor. Sometimes the font or spacing will reveal extra or unusual characters.

Staying alert to these small details can help you avoid phishing sites and fake addresses that try to mimic trusted services.

Summary

Adding the Bitcoin symbol to your regular typing is a simple quality-of-life upgrade. On Windows, the quickest method is Alt + 8383 on a numeric keypad or the 20BF + Alt + X shortcut in Word.

On Mac, iPhone and Android, setting up a Text Replacement shortcut turns a short code like btc into ₿ in a couple of keystrokes. If you are only using it once or twice, copy and paste from a search result or this page.

Whichever method you use, keep an eye out for look-alike characters in URLs and addresses so your Bitcoin, and the rest of your assets, stay secure.