Hashtag Key: How to Type # on Any Keyboard (and HashKey)
Can’t find the hashtag key on your keyboard? You are not alone. Back in 2014 we wrote about HashKey, a novelty one-key USB keyboard that typed only the # symbol, aimed at people who could never find the hashtag key. Here is how to type the hash symbol (#) on every common keyboard in 2026, plus a look back at the one-key hashtag keyboard.
Quick answer: The hashtag key depends on your keyboard layout. On a US keyboard, press Shift + 3. On a UK keyboard, # has its own key next to Enter. On a UK Mac keyboard, press Option + 3. On phones, tap the 123 or ?123 key and the # symbol appears on the symbols keyboard.
Table of Contents
Where is the hashtag key on a keyboard?
| Keyboard | How to type # |
|---|---|
| US / India (QWERTY, Windows) | Shift + 3 |
| UK (Windows) | The # key next to Enter (above right Shift) |
| US Mac | Shift + 3 |
| UK Mac | Option (Alt) + 3 |
| German | The # key next to Enter |
| French (AZERTY) | AltGr + 3 |
| Android / iPhone | Tap 123 or ?123, then # |
If your keyboard types £ when you press Shift + 3, Windows is set to the UK layout. Check Settings > Time & language > Language & region and pick the layout that matches the keys printed on your keyboard.
Need other symbols? See how to type the degree symbol on any keyboard. You can also learn how to type em dash on Windows, Mac and iPhone.
Other ways to type the hash symbol
- Alt code (Windows): hold Alt and type 35 on the number pad.
- Character Map or emoji panel: press Windows + . and open the symbols tab.
- Copy and paste: copy # from any page.
- Voice typing: say “hashtag” or “hash sign” in Google voice typing or dictation, depending on your device.
The HashKey one-key hashtag keyboard
HashKey claimed to be the world’s first one-key USB keyboard that typed just one character, the # tag. The idea was simple: when a friend asks “Where’s the hashtag key?”, you hand them a giant # button. The makers tried to raise money on Kickstarter in 2014, with a planned price of around 17 pounds and an aluminium version if enough money came in.
It was a fun gadget for the hashtag craze, but today you do not need a special device. If you want one-press shortcuts, a small programmable macro keypad or a stream deck can type # or any other symbol, emoji or phrase.
Why hashtags still matter
The hash tag # became popular on Twitter (now X) to group posts on a topic, then spread to Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok and YouTube. Brands use hashtags for campaigns, and events use them to collect posts. Use a few relevant hashtags rather than many, and check what a hashtag is used for before you join in.
Want to type other symbols on social media? See our guide to unicode symbols in Twitter.
FAQ
Why does my keyboard type £ instead of #?
Your computer is set to a UK layout but your keyboard is a US layout, or the other way round. Change the keyboard layout in your language settings.
What is the # symbol called?
It is called the hash, pound sign, number sign or octothorpe. On social media it is called a hashtag.
How do I type # on a laptop without a number pad?
Use Shift + 3 on US layouts, or the dedicated # key on UK layouts. Alt codes need a number pad or an Fn number lock.
Is the HashKey keyboard still available?
It was a 2014 crowdfunding novelty and is not a mainstream product. A programmable macro keypad does the same job today.
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Nice! Where can I get this? #Wanting #Technology #WeirdStuffs
one of the Smart gadget in the world and really it does smart works!
Great keyboard for Hash tag user. It helps me so much in social media sites. Thanks for sharing it.
This is actually kind of hilarious. But it’ll probably still sell fairly well.
I still don’t know how to use Hash Taging
Don’t think this is something i would buy. Seems a bit silly tbh.
That is really useful for a Business Person as well as for any other individual because now a days there is much use of Hash Tags on Social Media …
I will buy this soon
Hash Taging is very important part of social media nowadays.its Carries a lot of traffic.