Below is the Alt code keyboard shortcut for inserting the Cent sign currency symbol. If you are new to ALT codes and need detailed instructions on how to use them, please read How to Use ALT Codes to Enter Special Characters. The Alt code for the Cent (¢) sign on Windows systems is 155 or 0162. To enter the Cent symbol using the Alt code, hold down the Alt key and, while keeping it pressed, type 155 or 0162 using the numeric keypad. Then, release the Alt key, and the Cent symbol (¢) should appear. On an Apple Mac US keyboard, press the Option key and the number 4 button key simultaneously. Please note that Alt codes may not work in all applications or with all keyboard configurations, as it depends on the specific settings and character encoding. If these methods do not work, simply copy and paste the Cent sign below.
Click the Cent sign currency symbol to copy:
¢
| Symbol | ¢ |
| Symbol Name | Cent sign |
| Windows Alt Code | ALT 155 or ALT 0162 |
| Windows Alt X Code | 00A2 ALT X |
| Mac Option Key Shortcut | Option + 4 |
| HTML Entity Named Character Reference | ¢ |
| HTML Entity Numeric Character Reference (Hexadecimal) | ¢ |
| HTML Entity Numeric Character Reference (Decimal) | ¢ |
| Unicode Code Point | U+00A2 |
| Symbol | ￠ |
| Symbol Name | Fullwidth cent sign |
| Windows Alt Code | ALT 65504 |
| Windows Alt X Code | FFE0 ALT X |
| Mac Option Key Shortcut | n/a |
| HTML Entity Named Character Reference | n/a |
| HTML Entity Numeric Character Reference (Hexadecimal) | ￠ |
| HTML Entity Numeric Character Reference (Decimal) | ￠ |
| Unicode Code Point | U+FFE0 |
Origin, Meaning and Usage of the Cent Sign (¢) Symbol
The Cent sign (¢) is a typographic symbol used to represent the cent, a monetary unit in various currencies. The symbol is derived from the Latin word “centum,” meaning “hundred.” It is used to denote a fraction of a basic currency unit, typically one hundredth.
The Cent sign (¢) is primarily associated with the United States, where it represents the cent unit of the United States dollar. It is often used when pricing goods or services to indicate values less than one dollar. For example, $0.99 can be written as 99¢.
The Cent sign is also used in other currencies, although its form may vary slightly. Here are a few examples:
- Euro cent (¢): The Euro, the official currency of the Eurozone, has a cent unit represented by the same Cent sign (¢). However, the design of the Euro cent symbol differs slightly from the traditional Cent sign, with a more stylized appearance.
- Mexican peso centavo (¢): The Mexican peso uses the Cent sign (¢) to represent the centavo, which is one hundredth of a peso.
- Costa Rican colón (₡): The currency of Costa Rica, the colón, uses a different symbol, ₡, to represent the centesimal subunit called the céntimo.
It’s worth noting that not all currencies use the Cent sign or have subunits represented by it. Some currencies, such as the Japanese Yen and the Kuwaiti Dinar, do not have subunits smaller than the main currency unit.
In digital contexts and electronic transactions, the Cent sign (¢) may be represented by the code point U+00A2 or by other character encodings specific to the font or system being used.
Overall, the Cent sign (¢) is a widely recognized symbol used to denote the centesimal fraction of various currency units, most notably the United States dollar.
The Cent sign (¢) is a part of the set of ALT Codes for Currency Symbols & Signs. For the the complete list of the ASCII based Windows ALT Codes, refer to Windows ALT Codes for Special Characters & Symbols.
