Quick answer
Copy ✓ or ✔ above. There is no dependable universal Alt code for every check mark. Use the Windows symbol panel, Mac Character Viewer, Word Unicode conversion, or copy and paste.
Pick the right check mark
Several characters are called a check mark, but they are not identical. Copying the exact one you want is often safer than memorizing a font-specific shortcut.
| Character | Unicode | Meaning or style |
|---|---|---|
✓ |
U+2713 | Light check mark, usually text |
✔ |
U+2714 | Heavy check mark |
☑ |
U+2611 | Ballot box with check |
✅ |
U+2705 | Check button, commonly shown as emoji |
Add a check mark in Windows
Press Windows + . and open the symbols panel, then select an appropriate check mark if it is available in your Windows version. Character Map is another route: search for the app from Start, choose a broadly supported font such as Segoe UI Symbol, and copy the glyph.
Be cautious with lists that claim a universal numeric Alt code for ✓. Values above the older code-page range can behave differently between applications and input settings. Direct copy/paste or an application’s Unicode feature is more predictable.
Add ✓ on a Mac
Open Character Viewer with Control + Command + Space, search “check mark,” and double-click the character. You can add it to Favorites if it is part of your daily workflow.
macOS text replacement is useful for repeated typing. A trigger such as ;check can expand to ✓. Use an unusual prefix so ordinary words do not transform unexpectedly.
Insert a check mark in Word and Google Docs
In Word, type 2713 and press Alt + X for ✓. Use 2714 followed by Alt + X for ✔. Insert → Symbol also works and lets you compare the glyph in the current font.
In Google Docs, choose Insert → Symbols → Special characters and search for “check mark” or “tick.” Avoid using a Wingdings letter unless the file will remain in an environment that guarantees the font; Unicode check marks survive sharing more reliably.
Use check marks in Excel and Sheets
Paste the character into a cell or use =UNICHAR(10003) for ✓. A formula is helpful when the mark depends on a condition, for example =IF(A2="Done",UNICHAR(10003),"").
If users need to change a state, use a real checkbox feature rather than a static character. A checkbox has an interactive checked/unchecked value; ✓ is only text.
Use check marks in HTML
With UTF-8, you can type ✓ directly. The decimal reference is ✓ and the hexadecimal reference is ✓. Do not use a check mark alone to communicate success or failure: add visible text such as “Complete” so color, font rendering, and screen-reader pronunciation are not the only cues.
Troubleshooting fonts and emoji
If a check mark becomes an empty square, the selected font lacks that glyph. Switch to a modern system font or symbol font. If the appearance changes between devices, choose the monochrome ✓ instead of an emoji-style character and test the actual destinations where the content will appear.
For a printed checklist, use proper list or form controls when possible. Text symbols are excellent for labels and exported reports but do not preserve interaction by themselves.
References and compatibility
These platform references explain the input methods used above. Availability varies by app and keyboard layout; a Unicode value is not automatically a numeric-keypad Alt code.
Editorial note: Shortcuts can vary by keyboard layout and app. Check the stated platform and use the copy-and-paste fallback when needed. Report a correction with your device, layout, and application; see our editorial policy for limitations.