Below is the Alt code keyboard shortcut for inserting the British Pound 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 Pound (£) sign on Windows systems is 156 or 0163. To enter the Pound symbol using the Alt code, hold down the Alt key and, while keeping it pressed, type 156 or 0163 using the numeric keypad. Then, release the Alt key, and the Pound symbol (£) should appear. On an Apple Mac US keyboard, press the Option key and the number 3 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 Pound sign below.
Click the Pound sign symbol to copy:
£
| Symbol | £ |
| Symbol Name | Pound sign Pound sterling Irish punt Italian lira |
| Windows Alt Code | ALT 156 or ALT 0163 |
| Windows Alt X Code | 00A3 ALT X |
| Mac Option Key Shortcut | Option + 3 |
| HTML Entity Named Character Reference | £ |
| HTML Entity Numeric Character Reference (Hexadecimal) | £ |
| HTML Entity Numeric Character Reference (Decimal) | £ |
| Unicode Code Point | U+00A3 |
| Symbol | ￡ |
| Symbol Name | Fullwidth pound sign |
| Windows Alt Code | ALT 65505 |
| Windows Alt X Code | FFE1 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+FFE1 |
Origin, Meaning and Usage of the Pound Sign Currency Symbol (£)
The Pound sign (£) is a currency symbol used to represent the British Pound Sterling, which is the official currency of the United Kingdom (UK) and its territories. It is also sometimes referred to as the Pound symbol or Pound sign.
The Pound sign (£) has its origins from the letter “L,” which stood for the Latin word “libra,” meaning pound. Over time, the letter “L” was stylized into the symbol £, which became widely recognized as the symbol for the British Pound.
The Pound Sterling (£) is one of the oldest currencies still in use, with a long history dating back to Anglo-Saxon times. It has been the official currency of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland since the formation of the UK.
The Pound (£) is widely used in the UK for everyday transactions, pricing, and financial activities. It is also recognized and accepted in some British overseas territories and crown dependencies, such as the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.
The Pound sign (£) is used on currency notes, coins, and in financial and commercial documents. It is often placed before the numerical value to denote an amount in British Pounds. For example, £10 represents ten pounds.
The Pound (£) is one of the major currencies in the global financial system and is traded in international foreign exchange markets. Its exchange rate fluctuates relative to other currencies, and it is widely used in international commerce and tourism.
It’s worth noting that the Pound sign (£) should not be confused with the symbol for the weight measurement “lb” (pound) used in the United States and some other countries, which comes from a different origin.
Overall, the Pound sign (£) is an iconic symbol representing the British Pound Sterling and is an important element of the UK’s monetary and economic system.
The Pound 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.
