The quickest way to make a heart on your keyboard
You can type a heart symbol in seconds using a keyboard shortcut or a special character code. The method depends on whether you are using Windows, Mac, or a web browser, and what program you are typing in. Most people find the fastest route is copying a heart from a character map or pasting one from a website, but if you type hearts often, learning a keyboard shortcut saves time.
The most common heart symbol is ♥ (a solid filled heart) or ❤ (a red heart emoji). Both work in email, text documents, social media, and messaging apps, though some older programs may not display them correctly.
Key Takeaways
- On Windows, hold Alt and type 3 on the numeric keypad to make a heart: ♥
- On Mac, press Option + Shift + 9 to type a heart in most programs.
- In any web browser or online form, you can search for "heart symbol" and copy the character directly.
- Emoji keyboards on Windows (Win + .) and Mac (Control + Command + Space) let you insert a red heart emoji ❤ in one click.
- Some programs like Microsoft Word have built-in symbol menus where you can search for and insert hearts without memorizing codes.
Windows keyboard shortcut for a heart
On Windows, the simplest method is the Alt code. Hold down the Alt key on your keyboard, then type 3 on the numeric keypad (the number pad on the right side of your keyboard). When you release Alt, a solid heart ♥ appears.
This works in most Windows programs: email clients, word processors, text editors, and web browsers. It does not work on laptops without a numeric keypad unless you enable Num Lock and use the number keys built into the letter section, which is slower.
If your keyboard has no numeric keypad, use the emoji keyboard instead: press Windows key + period (.) to open the emoji picker, then search for "heart" and click the one you want.
Mac keyboard shortcut for a heart
On Mac, press Option + Shift + 9 to type a heart symbol ♥ in most programs. This works in Mail, Notes, web browsers, and text editors.
If that does not work in your program, use the emoji keyboard: press Control + Command + Space bar to open the character viewer, search for "heart," and double-click the symbol you want. The red heart emoji ❤ is usually the first result.
Using the character map or symbol menu
If you do not want to memorize a keyboard shortcut, most programs have a built-in way to insert special characters. In Microsoft Word, click Insert > Symbol, then search for "heart" in the search box. You will see several heart options; click the one you want and click Insert.
On Windows, you can also open the Character Map program (search for "Character Map" in the Start menu), find the heart symbol in the grid, click it, then click Copy. Switch to your document and paste it with Ctrl + V.
Google Docs has a similar menu: click Insert > Special characters, search for "heart," and click the symbol to insert it.
Copying a heart from the web
The fastest method for most people is to search for "heart symbol" in any web browser, find one you like, highlight it, copy it (Ctrl + C on Windows, Command + C on Mac), and paste it into your document (Ctrl + V or Command + V).
Websites like Unicode.org and Copypastecharacter.com display dozens of heart variations: solid hearts, outlined hearts, broken hearts, and colored hearts. You can copy any of them in one click and paste them anywhere.
Heart symbols that work in most places
Not all heart symbols display the same way on every device or program. Here are the ones most likely to work everywhere:
| Symbol | Name | Windows Alt Code | Where it works best |
|---|---|---|---|
| ♥ | Solid heart | Alt + 3 | Email, documents, most websites |
| ❤ | Red heart emoji | Emoji keyboard | Social media, messaging apps, modern browsers |
| ♡ | Outline heart | Copy from web | Email, documents, most websites |
If a heart symbol does not appear correctly in an old email program or website, try a different one from the table. The solid heart ♥ and outline heart ♡ are the most reliable across older systems.
Troubleshooting when the heart does not appear
If you type a heart and it shows as a box or question mark, the program does not support that particular symbol. Try copying a different heart symbol from the web instead, or use the emoji keyboard, which works in almost all modern programs.
On Windows, if Alt + 3 does not work, make sure Num Lock is on (a light on your keyboard should be lit). If you are on a laptop without a numeric keypad, use the emoji keyboard (Windows + .) instead.
If you are typing in an old email program or forum that strips out special characters, you may not be able to use a heart symbol at all. In that case, try typing the text version: :) or <3 (less-than sign followed by 3) are widely recognized as hearts in plain text.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I type a heart symbol on my phone?
Yes. On iPhone, open the emoji keyboard (globe icon on the keyboard) and search for "heart." On Android, long-press the space bar or tap the emoji icon, then search for "heart." Both phones display the red heart emoji ❤ by default.
What does <3 mean?
It is a text-based heart made from a less-than sign and the number 3. It is used in plain text messages and forums where special characters do not display. It means the same as a heart symbol.
Why does my heart symbol look different on different websites?
Each device and program has its own design for emoji and symbols. A red heart on your phone may look slightly different on a website or in an email because they use different fonts. The symbol is the same; only the appearance changes.
Can I make a heart shape by typing multiple characters?
Not easily. A single heart symbol is faster and cleaner. If you want to draw a large heart using text characters, you would need to arrange many characters in rows, which is time-consuming and looks rough. Use a heart symbol or emoji instead.
Is there a heart symbol I can use in a password?
Most password fields accept special characters, but some websites restrict them. Try pasting a heart symbol into the password field. If it does not work, the website does not support it. Stick to letters, numbers, and common symbols like ! @ # $ % for passwords.