Copy it, then paste with Ctrl + V (Cmd + V on Mac).
Quick answer
| Method | How |
|---|---|
| Copy and paste | Use the copy button above |
| Windows | Alt + 0145 |
| Mac | Option + ] |
| Microsoft Word | Type 2018, then press Alt + X |
| Chromebook and Linux | Ctrl + Shift + U, type 2018, press Enter |
| HTML | ‘ or ‘ |
| CSS | \2018 |
| JavaScript | \u2018 |
| Unicode | U+2018 (Left Single Quotation Mark) |
How to type the Left Single Quotation Mark on Windows
Hold Alt and type 0145 on the numeric keypad (Num Lock on), then release Alt.
No numeric keypad? On a laptop, use Win + . or open Character Map (search for charmap in Start).
In Microsoft Word, type 2018 and then press Alt + X to turn the code into ‘.
How to type the Left Single Quotation Mark on a Mac
Press Option + ].
On a Chromebook or Linux
Press Ctrl + Shift + U, type 2018, then press Enter or Space.
On iPhone and Android
Switch to the symbols keyboard (123 then #+= on iPhone, ?123 then =\< on Android). If it is not there, copy it from this page.
In Google Docs
Go to Insert > Special characters and search for "left single quotation mark".
About this character
The opening curly single quote.
In Excel and Google Sheets
Use the formula =UNICHAR(8216) in Excel 2013 or later and in Google Sheets. It returns ‘ in the cell, so you can combine it with other text, for example ="25"&UNICHAR(8216).
In Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Outlook
- Unicode shortcut: type 2018, then press Alt + X. Word turns the code into ‘. Press Alt + X again to turn it back into the code.
- Insert menu: Insert > Symbol > More Symbols, choose the "(normal text)" font, set "from" to Unicode (hex) and enter 2018 in the Character code box.
- AutoCorrect shortcut: File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options. Type a shortcut such as (x) in "Replace" and ‘ in "With". From then on, Word replaces the shortcut automatically.
Make your own shortcut on any device
- Mac, iPhone and iPad: System Settings > Keyboard > Text Replacements (Mac) or Settings > General > Keyboard > Text Replacement (iPhone and iPad). Add ‘ with a short phrase. It syncs across your Apple devices.
- Android (Gboard): Settings > Dictionary > Personal dictionary > choose your language > + . Enter ‘ as the word and a shortcut.
- Windows: press Win + V to turn on clipboard history and pin ‘ so it is always one click away.
For developers
| Format | Code |
|---|---|
| HTML entity | ‘ or ‘ or ‘ |
| CSS content | "\2018" |
| JavaScript | "\u2018" or String.fromCodePoint(8216) |
| Python | "\u2018" or chr(8216) |
| URL encoded | %E2%80%98 |
| UTF-8 bytes | E2 80 98 |
| UTF-16 | 0x2018 |
| Unicode code point | U+2018 (decimal 8216) |
Alt code not working?
- Turn on Num Lock. Alt codes only work with the numeric keypad, not the number row above the letters.
- Hold Alt the whole time and type all digits before releasing it.
- Laptop without a keypad? Use Win + . (period) to open the symbol panel, or copy ‘ from the top of this page.
- Wrong character appears? Codes with a leading zero (Alt + 0xxx) and codes without one (Alt + xxx) come from different character sets, so they give different characters. Use the code exactly as shown on this page.
- Some apps block Alt codes. In that case use copy and paste or the Unicode method above.
Character details
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Official Unicode name | Left Single Quotation Mark |
| Category | Opening quote |
Related characters at a glance
| Character | Name | Windows | Mac | HTML |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ‚ | Single Low-9 Quotation Mark | Alt + 0130 | Option + Shift + 0 | ‚ |
| „ | Double Low-9 Quotation Mark | Alt + 0132 | Option + Shift + W | „ |
| … | Ellipsis | Alt + 0133 | Option + ; | … |
| † | Dagger Symbol | Alt + 0134 | Option + T | † |
| ‡ | Double Dagger | Alt + 0135 | Option + Shift + 7 | ‡ |
| ‹ | Single Left-Pointing Angle Quotation Mark | Alt + 0139 | Option + Shift + 3 | ‹ |
| ’ | Curly Apostrophe | Alt + 0146 | Option + Shift + ] | ’ |
| “ | Left Double Quotation Mark | Alt + 0147 | Option + [ | “ |
| ” | Right Double Quotation Mark | Alt + 0148 | Option + Shift + [ | ” |
| • | Bullet Point | Alt + 0149 | Option + 8 | • |
Type symbols faster
If you use a symbol every day, a text replacement shortcut is the fastest method on every device: type a short code such as "(deg)" and your computer or phone swaps in the symbol automatically. For symbols you use only occasionally, keep this page bookmarked or install Typeri as an app for one-tap access, even offline. And if you are still looking at the number row while you type codes, our number drills build the muscle memory for every digit.
More questions
What is the Unicode for left single quotation mark? U+2018, decimal 8216.
How do I type ‘ on a laptop without a number pad? Press Win + . (period) to open the emoji and symbol panel, or type the hex code followed by Alt + X in Word. On a Mac, use the Option shortcut or Ctrl + Cmd + Space.
How do I insert ‘ in Excel? Type =UNICHAR(8216) in a cell, or copy ‘ from this page and paste it.
Why does my Alt code type the wrong symbol? Codes with a leading zero use the Windows-1252 character set, and codes without it use the older code page 437, so Alt + 0xxx and Alt + xxx give different characters. Also make sure you use the numeric keypad with Num Lock on.
Related characters
Frequently asked questions
What is the Alt code for ‘?
On Windows, hold Alt and type 0145 on the numeric keypad.
How do I type ‘ on a Mac?
Press Option + ].
What is the HTML code for ‘?
Use ‘ or ‘ in HTML.