How to type ☻ on Windows
The fastest method on a full-size keyboard is the Alt code Alt+2.
- Make sure Num Lock is on.
- Hold down the Alt key.
- Type 2 on the numeric keypad (the number row will not work).
- Release Alt. The black smiling face symbol ☻ appears.
No numeric keypad?
Press Win+. to open the emoji panel, choose the Symbols tab (Ω) and search for "black smiling face". Or open Character Map from the Start menu, find ☻, click Select, then Copy.
How to type ☻ on a Mac
There is no direct keyboard shortcut for ☻ on a Mac.
For any symbol, the Character Viewer works: press Control+⌘+Space, type "black smiling face" in the search box and double-click the result. It will be remembered under Frequently Used.
How to type ☻ on iPhone and iPad
The iOS keyboard does not include ☻, so the reliable way is to copy it from this page, then press and hold in any text field and tap Paste.
If you use it often, create a shortcut: open Settings → General → Keyboard → Text Replacement, paste ☻ in the Phrase field and type a short code such as ;black in the Shortcut field. Typing that code will then insert ☻ anywhere.
How to type ☻ on Android
Copy the symbol from this page, then long-press in a text field and choose Paste. Gboard also keeps a clipboard history: tap the clipboard icon on the toolbar to paste it again later.
For a permanent shortcut, open Gboard settings → Dictionary → Personal dictionary, add ☻ as the word and a short code as the shortcut.
How to type ☻ in Microsoft Word
- Type the Unicode hex code 263B where you want the symbol.
- Press Alt+X. Word converts the code into ☻.
This works on Windows in Word, Outlook and OneNote and needs no numeric keypad. You can also go to Insert → Symbol → More Symbols, set the font to a Unicode font and type 263B in the Character code box. In Excel, the formula =UNICHAR(9787) returns the symbol.
How to type ☻ in Google Docs
Open Insert → Special characters, then either search for "black smiling face" or draw the symbol in the sketch box. Click the result to insert it. In Google Sheets, use =CHAR(9787).
☻ in HTML, CSS and code
| Format | Code |
|---|---|
| HTML entity | ☻ |
| HTML decimal | ☻ |
| HTML hex | ☻ |
CSS content | "\263B" |
| JavaScript | "\u263B" |
| Python | "\u263B" |
| URL encoded | %E2%98%BB |
Because ☻ is a standard Unicode character (U+263B), you can also paste it directly into any UTF-8 file. The escaped forms above are only needed when the file encoding is uncertain or the symbol must be entered on a keyboard without it.
Where the black smiling face symbol is used
Used in casual chat, notes, and social posts as an emoticon, e.g. 'Great job ☻' or paired with its outline twin ☺ for contrast. Often confused with ☺ (White Smiling Face), which has the same look but unfilled.
Frequently asked questions
What does ☻ mean? +
It represents a smiling or happy face, similar in meaning to a smiley emoticon, but shown as a solid black shape rather than an outline.
Is ☻ the same as ☺? +
No, they're related but different characters: ☻ is filled black while ☺ is the white/outline version; both convey a smiling expression.
What is the Alt code for the black smiling face symbol? +
The Alt code for ☻ is Alt+2. Hold Alt, type 2 on the numeric keypad, then release Alt.
How do I type ☻ on a Mac? +
There is no dedicated Mac shortcut for ☻. Open the Character Viewer with Control + Command + Space, search for "black smiling face", and double-click it. Or copy it from this page.
How do I type the black smiling face symbol on iPhone or Android? +
Phone keyboards do not include ☻ by default. Copy it from this page and paste it, or add it as a text replacement shortcut in Settings so you can type it with a short abbreviation.
What is the HTML code for ☻? +
Use ☻ in HTML. In CSS use content: "\263B" and in JavaScript use "\u263B".