How to type : on Windows
The colon symbol has no short Alt code. The quickest option is to copy it from the top of this page and paste it with Ctrl+V.
No numeric keypad?
Press Win+. to open the emoji panel, choose the Symbols tab (Ω) and search for "colon". 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 "colon" 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 ;colon 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 003A 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 003A in the Character code box. In Excel, the formula =UNICHAR(58) returns the symbol.
How to type : in Google Docs
Open Insert → Special characters, then either search for "colon" or draw the symbol in the sketch box. Click the result to insert it. In Google Sheets, use =CHAR(58).
: in HTML, CSS and code
| Format | Code |
|---|---|
| HTML entity | : |
| HTML decimal | : |
| HTML hex | : |
CSS content | "\003A" |
| JavaScript | "\u003A" |
| Python | "\u003A" |
| URL encoded | %3A |
Because : is a standard Unicode character (U+003A), 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 colon symbol is used
Colons appear in writing before lists or explanations, in time notation like "3:00", and in ratios such as "2:1". They're also used in titles like "Inception: The Cobol Job" and are distinct from the semicolon (;), which joins related clauses.
Frequently asked questions
When should you use a colon instead of a semicolon? +
Use a colon to introduce a list, explanation, or example after a complete sentence; use a semicolon to join two related independent clauses without a connecting word.
Should the word after a colon be capitalized? +
Usually not, unless what follows is a proper noun or a complete sentence, in which case style guides vary on whether to capitalize it.
What is the Alt code for the colon symbol? +
The colon symbol has no short Alt code. Copy it from this page, or in Word type 003A and press Alt + X.
How do I type : on a Mac? +
There is no dedicated Mac shortcut for :. Open the Character Viewer with Control + Command + Space, search for "colon", and double-click it. Or copy it from this page.
How do I type the colon 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. The numeric form : works too. In CSS use content: "\003A" and in JavaScript use "\u003A".