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

You have finished an invoice for a client who prefers to pay in crypto. Or you are writing a social post about the latest Bitcoin price move.

Your finger goes to the dollar sign key, then you stop. You do not want to write "BTC" or "Bitcoin". You want the official ₿ symbol.

The dollar ($), euro (€), and pound (£) signs appear on most keyboards. The Bitcoin symbol, however, sits inside your device’s character map. Here is how to use it on any common device.

What Is The Bitcoin Symbol (₿)?

The Bitcoin sign is a Unicode character with the code point U+20BF. It is similar in concept to the euro sign (€) or yen sign (¥).

Not every font or app supports it yet. If you see an empty box or a strange placeholder, the font you are using may not include U+20BF. In that case, try switching to a standard font such as Arial, Segoe UI, Helvetica, or Roboto.

The symbol on its own does not send or receive Bitcoin. It is simply text. You can use it to label amounts, prices, or tickers, but it has no effect on transactions or wallets.

How to Type ₿ on Windows

On Windows, you can type special characters using Alt Codes if your keyboard has a numeric keypad. This is the block of numbers on the right-hand side of many full-size keyboards.

Method 1: Alt Code (with numeric keypad)

1. Click where you want the symbol to appear.
2. Turn Num Lock 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 ₿ should appear.

If you are using a laptop without a dedicated numeric keypad, this method may not work, unless your laptop supports a function-based numeric keypad. In that case, you may need to enable the embedded numpad first. Check your laptop manual or manufacturer support page.

Method 2: Hex Code in Microsoft Word

If the Alt Code does not work or you have no numeric keypad, you can use a Unicode shortcut in Microsoft Word:

1. Type 20BF where you want the symbol.
2. Press Alt + X immediately after 20BF.
3. The text 20BF will convert into ₿.

This shortcut usually works in Word and some other Microsoft Office apps. It does not work in every program.

How to Type ₿ on Mac

macOS does not provide a Bitcoin key combination by default. Instead, it gives you tools such as 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 Character Viewer.
3. Type "Bitcoin" in the search bar.
4. Double-click or click the symbol to insert it.

This is useful if you only need the symbol from time to time.

Method 2: Text Replacement (recommended for frequent use)

Text Replacement lets your Mac automatically swap a short code for the ₿ symbol. This is efficient if you use Bitcoin regularly, for example in accounting notes or price comments.

1. Go to System Settings > Keyboard.
2. Select Text Replacements (or Text, depending on your macOS version).
3. Click the + button.
4. In the Replace column, type a short trigger (for example (b) or btcsym).
5. In the With column, paste the Bitcoin symbol (copy this: ₿).
6. Close the window. Your changes should save automatically.

Now, when you type your trigger followed by space or punctuation, macOS will replace it with ₿ in most apps that support system text replacements.

How to Type ₿ on iPhone and Android

On most mobile keyboards, the Bitcoin symbol does not appear on the main layout. The simplest long-term solution is to add a text shortcut.

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. Type a shortcut in the Shortcut field, for example btc.
6. Tap Save.

From now on, when you type btc, iOS will suggest the ₿ symbol above the keyboard. Tap it to insert the symbol.

Android

Menus can differ between devices and keyboard apps (for example Gboard, Samsung Keyboard). The following steps apply to many recent Android setups.

1. Copy the Bitcoin symbol: ₿
2. Go to Settings > System > Languages & input > Personal dictionary.
   (On some phones, you may find this under Settings > General Management > Samsung Keyboard settings, or under the settings for your chosen keyboard app.)
3. Choose your language, or select "All languages" if available.
4. Tap the + button.
5. Paste ₿ in the main text field.
6. Add a shortcut, for example btc.
7. Save.

After this, when you type your shortcut in supported apps, your keyboard should offer ₿ as a suggestion.

If your Android version or keyboard does not include a personal dictionary, look for a "Text shortcuts" or "Personal phrases" option in the keyboard settings.

The Universal Method: Copy and Paste

If you are on a shared computer, a locked-down work device, or an interface where keyboard shortcuts are limited, you can always copy and paste.

Options include:

• Searching for "Bitcoin symbol" or "₿ Unicode" in your browser, then copying the symbol from the results.
• Copying it from this page: ₿
• Saving a document or note on your device that contains the symbol so you can reuse it later.

This method works on virtually any device or operating system that supports Unicode.

Real-Life Examples: When to Use the Symbol

Using the Bitcoin symbol can make your documents and messages clearer and more consistent, especially where space is limited or you want to separate units.

• Invoices and quotes: Instead of writing "0.05 Bitcoin", you might write "₿0.05". This is similar in style to writing €50.00 instead of "50 euros". In professional documents, make sure the meaning is clear, for example "Amount due: ₿0.05 (Bitcoin)".
• Social media tickers: On platforms with strict character limits, short forms help. For example, "Price: €60,000 / ₿" communicates a euro price per Bitcoin in a compact way.
• Price pairs and charts: In some trading tools, the symbol can mark the base asset. For example, a chart may display the Ethereum price in Bitcoin as "Ξ/₿" (Ether over Bitcoin).

Remember that the symbol is purely visual. It does not indicate which blockchain or network you are using, and it does not replace the need to clearly state amounts and currencies when you send or receive funds.

Security Red Flag: The "Look-Alike" Scam

Using the symbol is safe. Reading symbols and letters on screen, however, requires care.

Scammers sometimes use a technique called a homograph or homoglyph attack. They replace one character with a look-alike from another alphabet, such as Greek or Cyrillic.

The same idea can be used with characters that look like the Bitcoin "B". At a glance, the difference can be hard to see.

How to stay safe

• Do not trust a URL only by appearance. Check the full address carefully in your browser’s address bar, including the domain ending (for example .com, .eu).
• Check the security certificate. Look for the padlock icon in your browser and click it to view certificate details. Although this is not a guarantee of safety, a missing or invalid certificate is a clear warning sign.
• Bookmark official sites. Access exchanges, wallets, and other services by using your own bookmarks, not links in emails, ads, or direct messages.
• Use plain text to inspect suspicious text. If you are unsure about a URL or address, paste it into a plain text editor. Sometimes fonts in editors show small differences more clearly.
• Enable security tools where possible. Modern browsers and security software can help flag known phishing sites, but they are not perfect. Stay cautious.

These steps reduce, but do not remove, the risk of phishing or fraud. Always confirm critical details, especially before entering passwords, seed phrases, or sending funds.

Summary

The Bitcoin symbol, ₿, is a standard Unicode character (U+20BF) that you can use in documents, chats, and posts, much like familiar currency signs such as €, £, or $. On Windows, you can type it using Alt + 8383 on a numeric keypad, or with the 20BF + Alt + X shortcut in Microsoft Word.

On Mac, iPhone, and Android, setting up a Text Replacement or text shortcut is usually the fastest option if you use the symbol often. If none of the shortcuts are available, copying and pasting ₿ from a trusted source will still work on virtually any modern device.

Whichever method you choose, stay alert to look-alike characters in URLs and addresses, and use bookmarks and security checks to help protect your funds.