What is the Alt key on a keyboard?
Andrew Mclaughlin
Updated on April 22, 2026
Definition of Alt key : a key on a computer keyboard that when pressed in combination with other keys enables special commands or symbols to be accessed — compare control key.
Where is the Alt key on my laptop?
On all keyboards, the Alt key is located in the bottom row, directly to the left of the space bar. In addition, English-language keyboards have a second Alt key (one to the left and one to the right of the space bar) to support ten-finger typing.
How do you use the Alt key on a laptop?
Steps
- Find Alt code. Numeric Alt codes for symbols are listed in Alt codes list ☺♥♪ keyboard symbols.
- Enable Num Lk . You may need to simultaneously press [“FN” and ” Scr Lk “] keys.
- Hold down “Alt” key. Some laptops require you to hold both “Alt” and “FN” keys.
- Input Alt code of symbol on Keypad.
- Release all the keys.
How do you type special characters?
Entering special characters with the keyboard On Windows, you can enter special characters directly from the keyboard using the numeric keypad. To do this, you must hold down the ALT key while typing a sequence of numbers. Each sequence corresponds to a different character.
What are the special characters in a keyboard?
Special characters on Windows ( PC keyboards ) On Windows, the Alt key functions as a modifier like the Shift key. To make special characters, hold down the Alt key and type in the numbers from the numeric keypad.
Where to find special characters on keyboard?
In addition to keyboard codes, you can access special characters through the Windows character map tool. From the “Start” menu, go to “Programs,” “Accessories,” and “System Tools,” where you will find the character map. There is a drop-down menu at the top of the character map where you can select the character set you want to use.
How do you make a special character on the keyboard?
To type a special character, using an Alt keyboard sequence: Ensure that the Num Lock key has been pressed, to activate the numeric key section of the keyboard. Press the Alt key, and hold it down. While the Alt key is pressed, type the sequence of numbers (on the numeric keypad) from the Alt code in the above table.
Where is the Alt key on a computer keyboard?
The key is located on either side of the Space bar, but in non-US PC keyboard layouts, rather than a second Alt key, there is an ‘Alt Gr’ key to the right of the space bar.
