Keyboard, media and technical symbols
Writing a how-to guide, a help article or a code README? Technical symbols make instructions clear. This page has keyboard key symbols like Command ⌘, Option ⌥, Shift ⇧, Control ⌃, Escape ⎋, Enter ⏎, Backspace ⌫ and Tab ⇥, power symbols ⏻ ⏼, media controls ▶ ⏸ ⏹ ⏺ ⏭ ⏮, and handy icons like ⚙ ⚠ 🔋 🔌 💾 📶.
Tap any symbol to copy it. They work great as a copy icon or text icon wherever images are not allowed.
Keyboard key symbols
- ⌘ Command: The Mac command key.
- ⌥ Option: The Mac option or Alt key.
- ⇧ Shift: Shift on any keyboard.
- ⌃ Control: The Mac control key.
- ⎋ Escape: The Esc key.
- ⏎ ↵ Return: Enter or Return.
- ⌫ ⌦ Delete: Backspace and forward delete.
- ⇥ ⇪ Tab and Caps Lock: For complete keyboard guides.
Writing keyboard shortcuts
Shortcuts are easier to read with symbols. Instead of “press Command and Shift and 4”, you can write ⌘ ⇧ 4. Mac users will recognise these instantly because they match the menus in macOS. For Windows guides, write the key names, like Ctrl + C, and use ⊞ for the Windows key if you like.
Media and power symbols
Media symbols are perfect for music posts, video descriptions and app designs. ▶ means play, ⏸ pause, ⏹ stop, ⏺ record, ⏭ next and ⏮ previous. ⏩ and ⏪ are fast forward and rewind. Power symbols ⏻ and ⏼ are the standard on and off icons. 🔇 🔈 🔉 🔊 show volume levels and 📶 shows signal strength.
A simple line like “▶ Watch the full video” in a caption tells people exactly what to do.
Text icons for documents and support
When you cannot use images, text icons are a lifesaver. Use ⚙ for settings, ⚠ for warnings, ℹ for info, 🔒 for security, 💾 for save and 🖨 for print. Support teams use them in help articles and emails, and developers use them in command-line tools and README files. They are a simple, lightweight copy icon that works in any font.
Clocks and timers
Time symbols help with schedules and reminders: ⌚ watch, ⏰ alarm clock, ⏱ stopwatch, ⏲ timer, ⌛ and ⏳ hourglasses. Add them to event posts, study plans and countdowns to make times stand out.
Symbols for developers
Developers use technical symbols in many places: in command-line tools to show progress and status, in README files to list keyboard shortcuts, in code comments to flag warnings with ⚠, and in app interfaces as lightweight icons. Because they are Unicode text, they need no image files, load instantly and scale perfectly on high-resolution screens. Check that your chosen font includes the symbol, especially for rare ones like ⎋ or ⏼, and add a text label for accessibility when a symbol is used as a button.
Warning and safety signs
Signs like ⚠ warning, ☢ radioactive, ☣ biohazard and ⚡ high voltage are useful in safety notes, lab instructions and workplace posters. Use them next to clear words so that everyone understands the message.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I type the Command symbol ⌘?
- Copy ⌘ from this page and paste it. Most keyboards cannot type it directly.
- What is the power symbol?
- ⏻ is the standard power symbol. ⏼ is power on-off and ⭘ is power off.
- What does ⏎ mean?
- ⏎ is the Return or Enter key symbol.
- Can I use these symbols as icons on a website?
- Yes. They are text, so they load instantly and take the colour and size of your CSS.
- What is the symbol for the Option key?
- ⌥ is the Mac Option key symbol.