How to Get Hashtags on Keyboard: A Complete Guide for All Devices

Quick Answer First: The Simple Solution for Most Users

For those in a hurry, here’s the most common way to get hashtags on a keyboard. If you are using a standard US layout keyboard, whether on a Windows PC or a Mac, the method is almost always the same: simply press and hold the Shift key and then press the number 3 key at the top of your keyboard. This combination (Shift + 3) will produce the hashtag symbol (#). On a mobile phone, tap the ‘123’ or ‘SYM’ key to switch to the symbol keyboard, where you’ll find the # key waiting for you.

Unlocking the Hashtag: Why Isn’t It Always ‘Shift + 3’?

Have you ever sat down at a different computer, perhaps in a library, at a friend’s house, or even with a new laptop, and tried to type a hashtag only to be met with a completely different symbol? It’s a surprisingly common and frustrating experience. The quest for how to get hashtags on keyboard isn’t always as straightforward as it seems. The location of the hashtag key, or the key combination required to produce it, can change dramatically based on your geographical location, your computer’s language settings, and the specific physical layout of your keyboard.

This symbol, known officially as the octothorpe but more commonly as the number sign, pound sign, or the ever-popular hashtag, is a cornerstone of modern digital communication. Its placement is a matter of regional convention. This guide will serve as your complete roadmap, demystifying the process and ensuring you can confidently type the hashtag symbol on any device you encounter, from a UK layout laptop to a German keyboard or your very own smartphone.

Finding the Hashtag on Your Desktop or Laptop Keyboard

For most desktop and laptop users, the method for typing a hashtag depends entirely on the keyboard’s layout, which is typically tied to the language and region it was designed for. Let’s break down the most common scenarios.

The Standard US QWERTY Keyboard: The Easiest Case

If you’re in the United States or using a device configured with a standard US English keyboard, you’re in luck. This is the layout most online tutorials assume you have. The process is incredibly simple and consistent across operating systems.

• On a Windows PC: Press and hold the Shift key, then press the 3 key in the number row above the letters.
• On an Apple Mac, MacBook, or iMac: The process is identical. Hold down the Shift key and press the 3 key.

On a standard US QWERTY layout, the # symbol is the secondary function of the ‘3’ key, which is why the Shift key is required to access it.

How to Type a Hashtag on a UK Keyboard

Here is where many people first get confused. If you’re using a keyboard with a United Kingdom (UK) layout, pressing Shift + 3 will not give you a hashtag. Instead, it will produce the pound sterling currency symbol (£). This is a classic point of confusion for those unfamiliar with the layout.

So, where is the hashtag on a UK keyboard?

On a UK keyboard, the hashtag symbol typically has its own dedicated key. You don’t even need to use the Shift key!

• Look for a key directly to the right of the single quote/apostrophe (‘) key, located just to the left of the main Enter key.
• This key usually has two symbols on it: the hashtag (#) and the tilde (~).
• To type a hashtag, simply press this key once. To get the tilde, you would press Shift + this key.

It’s actually a bit more direct once you know where to look, but it’s a critical difference from the US layout that trips up many users.

A Look at Other International Keyboard Layouts

The variation doesn’t stop with the UK layout. Many other countries have their own standardized keyboard layouts (like QWERTZ in Germany or AZERTY in France) where the hashtag key is in yet another position. Below is a helpful table outlining how to find the hashtag on several common international keyboards. The “Alt Gr” key (Alternate Graphic) is often used to access a third symbol on a key.

The Universal Method on Windows: Using Alt Codes

What if you’re on a Windows computer and you absolutely cannot figure out the correct key combination? There’s a nearly foolproof method you can use, provided your keyboard has a numeric keypad (the block of number keys on the right-hand side).

This method is called using an Alt code. It allows you to type hundreds of special characters directly.

1. Make sure your Num Lock is turned on. You should see a light on your keyboard indicating it’s active.
2. Press and hold down the left Alt key.
3. While holding the Alt key, type the number 35 on the numeric keypad (it will not work with the number keys at the top of the keyboard).
4. Release the Alt key.

The hashtag symbol (#) should instantly appear. This is a fantastic trick to have up your sleeve when you’re working on an unfamiliar keyboard and need to get a hashtag symbol quickly.

How to Get Hashtags on Your Mobile Keyboard (iOS and Android)

On a smartphone or tablet, there are no physical keys to worry about, but the hashtag is still hidden from the main alphabet view. The process for finding it is very similar on both iPhones and Android devices.

Getting the Hashtag on an iPhone or iPad (iOS)

Apple keeps its keyboard layout clean and simple. To access the hashtag, you just need to switch to the numbers and symbols screen.

1. Tap on any text input field (like a social media post, a note, or a message) to bring up the standard alphabet keyboard.
2. On the bottom-left of the keyboard, tap the key labeled 123.
3. This will switch the keyboard view to the numbers and primary symbols. The hashtag (#) key is clearly visible on this screen. Just tap it!

Typing the Hashtag on an Android Phone or Tablet

The process on Android is virtually identical, whether you’re using the standard Gboard (Google’s keyboard), the Samsung keyboard, or another popular alternative.

1. Tap a text field to activate the keyboard.
2. In the bottom-left corner, tap the key that switches to symbols. It’s usually labeled ?123 or sometimes SYM.
3. The keyboard will change to its symbol layout, where you’ll find the # key, typically on the left-hand side. Tap it to insert the symbol.

Pro Tip: Creating a Keyboard Shortcut for Hashtags

If you use hashtags very frequently, switching back and forth between the alphabet and symbol keyboards on your phone can become a bit tedious. A fantastic way to speed this up is to create a custom text replacement shortcut. This allows you to type a short phrase (like “hh”) which will automatically expand into the hashtag symbol.

For iOS (iPhone/iPad):

• Go to Settings > General > Keyboard.
• Tap on Text Replacement.
• Tap the plus (+) icon in the top-right corner.
• In the “Phrase” field, type the hashtag symbol: #
• In the “Shortcut” field, type the text you want to trigger it, for example, hh or htag.
• Tap Save. Now, whenever you type “hh” followed by a space, it will automatically be replaced with “#”.

For Android (using Gboard):

• Open your keyboard, tap the gear icon (⚙️) to go to Settings. Or go to Settings > System > Languages & input > On-screen keyboard > Gboard.
• Tap on Dictionary > Personal dictionary.
• Choose your language.
• Tap the plus (+) icon to add a new word.
• In the top field (the “word”), type the hashtag symbol: #
• In the bottom field (the “shortcut”), type your desired shortcut, like hh.
• Go back to save. Your shortcut is now active.

Troubleshooting: What to Do When You Can’t Find the Hashtag Key

Sometimes, even with all this information, things don’t work as expected. The issue often lies with a mismatch between your physical keyboard and your operating system’s settings.

“My Keyboard Layout is Wrong!” – Checking Your OS Settings

This is the number one culprit when Shift + 3 isn’t working on a US keyboard. Your computer’s software might think you’re using a different language layout. For example, you might have a US physical keyboard, but your Windows is set to “English (United Kingdom)”.

• On Windows 10/11: Go to Settings > Time & Language > Language & region. Look under “Preferred languages” and click the three dots next to your primary language, then select “Language options”. On the next screen, scroll down to “Keyboards” and make sure the selected layout (e.g., “US QWERTY”) matches your physical hardware.
• On macOS: Go to System Settings > Keyboard. Under the “Text Input” section, click the “Edit…” button next to “Input Sources”. Here, you can add or remove keyboard layouts to ensure the one you’re using matches the one selected in the system.

Using the On-Screen Keyboard as a Guide

If you’re still unsure, you can use your computer’s built-in accessibility tools to see a virtual representation of your *current* keyboard layout. This eliminates all guesswork.

• On Windows: Search for “On-Screen Keyboard” in the Start Menu and open the application. This virtual keyboard will show you exactly what each key will produce, with and without Shift pressed.
• On macOS: Go to System Settings > Keyboard and enable “Show Input menu in menu bar”. A new icon will appear in your top menu bar. Click it and select “Show Keyboard Viewer”. A virtual keyboard will appear on your screen.

When All Else Fails: Copy and Paste

This is the low-tech, but always effective, final solution. If you’re in a pinch and just need one hashtag, simply open a web browser, search for “hashtag symbol,” highlight and copy it (Ctrl + C on Windows, Cmd + C on Mac), and then paste it (Ctrl + V or Cmd + V) where you need it.

Conclusion: Mastering the Hashtag on Any Keyboard

While it might seem like a simple character, knowing how to get hashtags on keyboard is a piece of digital literacy that can vary surprisingly from one device to another. The key takeaway is that the method is determined by your keyboard’s regional layout and your device’s software settings. For most users with a US layout, the answer is a simple Shift + 3. For those in the UK and other parts of the world, it often involves a dedicated key or the Alt Gr modifier. On mobile devices, it’s a quick tap away in the symbol menu.

By understanding these differences and knowing how to troubleshoot a layout mismatch or use universal tools like Alt codes, you can now confidently type the # symbol on virtually any keyboard you come across. No more being stumped by a foreign laptop or a confusing rental computer—you’ve mastered the art of finding the hashtag.