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

You have just finished an invoice for a client who prefers to pay in crypto, or you are writing a post about the latest Bitcoin move. Your fingers go straight to the dollar sign ($), then you stop.

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

Dollar ($), euro (€), and pound (£) keys are printed on most keyboards. The Bitcoin symbol, however, is buried in your device’s character set. Here is how to get to it on any device.

How to Type ₿ on Windows

On Windows, you can type special symbols with Alt Codes, as long as your keyboard has a numeric keypad. That is the block of numbers on the right-hand side of many full-size keyboards.

The Alt Code method

1. Click where you want the symbol to appear.
2. Turn Num Lock on.
3. Hold down the Alt key.
4. While holding Alt, type 8383 on the numeric keypad.
5. Release Alt. The ₿ symbol should appear right away.

This only works with the numeric keypad, not with the number row above the letters.

The Hex Code method (Microsoft Word only)

If you do not have a numeric keypad, or Alt codes are disabled, you can use a Unicode shortcut in Microsoft Word.

1. Type 20BF (this is the Unicode code point for ₿).
2. Immediately press Alt + X.
3. Word will convert 20BF into ₿.

This method is specific to Word and some other Microsoft Office apps. It will not work in most browsers or other programs.

How to Type ₿ on Mac

macOS does not include a built-in keyboard shortcut for Bitcoin, but it gives you two easy options, the Emoji & Character Viewer and Text Replacement.

Method 1: Emoji & Character Viewer

1. Place your cursor where you want the symbol.
2. Press Control + Command + Space to open the viewer.
3. Type “Bitcoin” in the search bar.
4. Click the ₿ symbol to insert it.

This works well for occasional use, such as a one-off document or email.

Method 2: Text Replacement (recommended)

If you type about Bitcoin often, set up a shortcut so your Mac will insert the symbol automatically.

1. Go to System Settings > Keyboard.
2. Click Text Replacements.
3. Click the + button.
4. In the Replace field, enter a short trigger, such as (b) or btcsym.
5. In the With field, paste the Bitcoin symbol (copy this first: ₿).
6. Close the window to save your changes.

From now on, typing that trigger in most apps will automatically change it to ₿.

How to Type ₿ on iPhone and Android

On phones and tablets, the Bitcoin symbol is almost never on the default keyboard. The fastest method is to create a text shortcut, similar to the Mac method.

iPhone (iOS)

1. Copy this symbol: ₿
2. Open 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.

Now, when you type that shortcut in Messages, Mail, or most other apps, iOS will suggest the ₿ symbol. Tap the suggestion to insert it.

Android

Android menus vary by brand, but the process is similar on most devices and keyboards.

1. Copy this symbol: ₿
2. Go to Settings > System > Languages & input > Personal dictionary.
   • On some phones, you may need to open your keyboard settings directly, for example Settings > General management > Samsung Keyboard settings.
3. Choose your language if asked, or pick “For all languages.”
4. Tap the + button.
5. Paste ₿ into the main text field.
6. Add a shortcut, for example btc.
7. Save.

Next time you type that shortcut with your on-screen keyboard, Android should suggest ₿ as an autocomplete option.

If your device uses a third-party keyboard like Gboard or SwiftKey, you can usually create similar shortcuts in the keyboard’s own settings.

Universal Method: Copy and Paste ₿ Anywhere

If all else fails, you can always copy and paste the symbol.

• Search for “Bitcoin symbol” or “Bitcoin Unicode” in your browser.
• Copy ₿ from a search result, this article, or another document.
• Paste it where you need it.

This works on any modern device, even if you cannot change keyboard settings.

Real-Life Examples: When to Use the Symbol

Using the proper symbol helps your writing look cleaner and more precise.

• Invoices and quotes
  Instead of writing “0.05 Bitcoin,” you can write ₿0.05. That matches how people write $50.00 instead of “50 dollars” in formal documents.

• Social media tickers
  Space is limited on sites like X (formerly Twitter). Writing $65k ₿ is shorter and neater than “65k USD per Bitcoin.”

• Price pairs and charts
  In trading views, the base asset is often shown with its symbol. For example, an Ethereum vs Bitcoin chart might display as Ξ/₿ (Ether symbol over Bitcoin symbol).

Over time, using ₿ becomes second nature, just like using $.

Security Red Flag: The Look-Alike Scam

Typing the Bitcoin symbol is safe. Reading it, especially in links and addresses, is where you need to be careful.

Scammers use homograph attacks, also called homoglyph attacks. They replace letters or symbols in a URL with characters from other alphabets that look almost identical.

For example, a criminal might use a Greek or Cyrillic character that looks like a regular “o” or “B” to build a fake URL.

This trick can be applied to letters around the Bitcoin symbol or other characters you trust, which makes phishing sites look very convincing.

How to stay safe

• Do not rely only on how a URL looks.
  Check that your browser shows a valid SSL certificate (the padlock icon) and that the domain name is exactly correct.

• Bookmark official sites.
  Save the real addresses for exchanges, wallets, and banking sites. Use those bookmarks instead of clicking links in emails, private messages, or ads.

• Use a plain text check when in doubt.
  If you copy a suspicious address or URL, paste it into a basic text editor and look it over carefully. Strange spacing or unfamiliar characters can be a warning sign.

Staying alert to small differences in text can help you avoid phishing attempts that try to copy trusted brands or wallet addresses.

Summary

Adding the Bitcoin symbol to your daily typing is simple, and it helps your crypto communication look more professional.

• On Windows, use Alt + 8383 on a numeric keypad, or 20BF then Alt + X in Word.
• On Mac, iPhone, and Android, set up a Text Replacement shortcut so a short code instantly becomes ₿.
• On any device, you can always copy and paste the symbol directly.

Just as important, watch out for look-alike characters in URLs and wallet addresses. A few seconds of checking can protect your accounts and your Bitcoin.