How to type ☺ on Windows
The fastest method on a full-size keyboard is the Alt code Alt+1.
- Make sure Num Lock is on.
- Hold down the Alt key.
- Type 1 on the numeric keypad (the number row will not work).
- Release Alt. The white smiling face symbol ☺ appears.
No numeric keypad?
Press Win+. to open the emoji panel, choose the Symbols tab (Ω) and search for "white 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 "white 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 ;white 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 263A 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 263A in the Character code box. In Excel, the formula =UNICHAR(9786) returns the symbol.
How to type ☺ in Google Docs
Open Insert → Special characters, then either search for "white smiling face" or draw the symbol in the sketch box. Click the result to insert it. In Google Sheets, use =CHAR(9786).
☺ in HTML, CSS and code
| Format | Code |
|---|---|
| HTML entity | ☺ |
| HTML decimal | ☺ |
| HTML hex | ☺ |
CSS content | "\263A" |
| JavaScript | "\u263A" |
| Python | "\u263A" |
| URL encoded | %E2%98%BA |
Because ☺ is a standard Unicode character (U+263A), 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 white smiling face symbol is used
People add ☺ to messages, notes, or signatures to soften a tone or express friendliness, as in "See you tomorrow ☺" or "Thanks for the help ☺". It's often confused with the emoji version 😊, which renders in color on most devices.
Frequently asked questions
Is ☺ an emoji? +
No, it is a plain text character from the Unicode standard, though many devices render it as a simple emoji-style face.
What does ☺ mean in a text message? +
It signals a friendly, warm, or lighthearted tone, similar to writing "smile" or adding a happy face at the end of a sentence.
What is the Alt code for the white smiling face symbol? +
The Alt code for ☺ is Alt+1. Hold Alt, type 1 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 "white smiling face", and double-click it. Or copy it from this page.
How do I type the white 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: "\263A" and in JavaScript use "\u263A".