Octothorpe
Also called a hash, number sign, or pound sign, the octothorpe is the typographical symbol "#" (two horizontal lines and two vertical lines, crossed).
On US QWERTY keyboards, the # symbol appears on the same key as the number 3. It can be typed by holding Shift and pressing 3 on the keyboard.
Where is the hash key on the keyboard?
Below is an overview of a computer keyboard with the hash key highlighted in blue.
How to create the hash symbol
Creating the # symbol on a U.S. keyboard
To create the hash symbol using a U.S. keyboard on a Windows, macOS, or Linux computer, hold down Shift and press the number 3 at the top of the keyboard (Shift+3).
Creating the # symbol on a smartphone or tablet
To create a hash on an Android smartphone or tablet, iPhone, or iPad, access the on-screen keyboard, access the numbers (123) section, and then the (#+=) or symbols (sym) section. Press your finger on the # symbol.
Creating the # symbol on keyboards outside of the U.S.
Computer users in other parts of the world, such as Italy can find the # symbol on a different key. In the picture below is a keyboard key with the # symbol on the same key as the à and ° key. To use this key hold down Alt and press the key.
How is the hash symbol used on a computer?
Below are examples of what uses the pound symbol on a computer.
- Indicates that the number it precedes is an ordinal (e.g., "#1" for "number one," meaning "first" or "best").
- In hashtags (e.g., #computer).
- In Microsoft Excel and other spreadsheet programs when the cell is not wide enough to show the full number.
- In programming to identify a nonexecutable statement.
- In IRC (Internet Relay Chat) chat an identifier of a channel. For example, #computerhope is the Computer Hope chat channel.
- The hash key is used in keyboard shortcuts like Ctrl+Shift+#.