Computer Keyboard Terminology

Do you know the names of the keys on your computer keyboard? This web page lists some symbols that are missing from the keyboard.

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Missing Keys

As a Computer teacher I often get asked how to type some symbol that is not marked on any of the keys of the computer keyboard. Sometimes the student does not know the name of the symbol so they try to draw it while asking me the question. On a Macintosh computer usually the solution requires holding down a modifier key while typing one of the alphanumeric keyboard characters. On a Windows computer you similarly have to type some combination of keys to produce a single character.

Here is a list of some of the missing symbols that are not marked on any of the keyboard keys.

• Bullet.

† Dagger symbol.

‡ Double dagger symbol.

¢ Cent sign (currency).

¥ Japanese Yen currency symbol.

© Copyright sign.

™ Trademark sign.

® Registered trademark sign.

≠ Not equals sign.

≈ Approximately equals sign.

≤ Less than or equal to sign.

≥ Greater than or equal to sign.

÷ Math division sign.

√ Square root sign in Math.

° Degree symbol.

∫ Integral sign in Math.

∞ Infinity symbol in Math.

∑ Summation sign in Math.

µ Micro sign.

π Pi symbol in Math.

Δ Capital letter delta of Greek alphabet.

Ω Capital letter omega of the Greek alphabet. As the last letter of the Greek alphabet it is usually associated with the end of something.

¶ Pilcrow sign. Often used to mark the end of paragraphs when hidden or invisible characters are displayed on your screen for proofreading text.

◊ Diamond; White diamond.

« Left pointing double angle quotation mark.

» Right pointing double angle quotation mark.