The @ symbol is probably the most important special character in modern life. Every email address needs it. Every social media mention uses it. Yet depending on where you bought your computer, it could be anywhere on your keyboard. Or nowhere visible at all.
Why @ Is So Complicated
The @ symbol wasn’t even on most typewriters. It was dying out until Ray Tomlinson chose it for email in 1971. Now it’s essential, but keyboard manufacturers never agreed where to put it. Every country does it differently.
The confusion points:
- US keyboards: Shift + 2
- UK keyboards: Shift + ‘ (apostrophe)
- German keyboards: AltGr + Q
- French keyboards: AltGr + 0
- Spanish keyboards: AltGr + 2
And that’s just the beginning. Let’s fix this mess.
US Keyboard (QWERTY): The Simple One
To type @: Shift + 2
That’s it. The @ symbol is printed right on the 2 key. Hold Shift, press 2, get @.
If this doesn’t work:
- Check Caps Lock isn’t on
- Make sure you’re using US keyboard layout
- Some laptops require Fn + Shift + 2
This is what most online tutorials assume you have. If Shift+2 gives you something else, keep reading.
UK Keyboard: The Sneaky Difference
To type @: Shift + ‘ (apostrophe key)
The apostrophe is next to Enter key. With Shift, it becomes @.
Where’s the ” then? Shift + 2 gives you quotation marks in UK layout.
The quick check: Look at your 2 key. If it shows ” instead of @, you have UK layout.
German Keyboard (QWERTZ): The AltGr Introduction
To type @: AltGr + Q
What’s AltGr? It’s the Alt key on the RIGHT side of spacebar. Left Alt won’t work.
Alternative method: Ctrl + Alt + Q (if keyboard lacks AltGr)
Why Q? No idea. Germany just decided Q was the place for @. The 2 key has quotation marks.
French Keyboard (AZERTY): The Number Row Shuffle
To type @: AltGr + 0 (zero)
The French madness:
- Numbers require Shift (yes, really)
- @ is on the 0 key with AltGr
- The 2 key has é on it
Alternative: Ctrl + Alt + 0
French keyboards are genuinely different. Even the letters are rearranged (AZERTY instead of QWERTY).
Spanish/Latin American Keyboard
To type @: AltGr + 2
Or on some layouts: AltGr + Q
The variation problem:
- Spain Spanish: AltGr + 2
- Latin American: Varies by country
- Some: @ is its own key (!!)
Check your 2 and Q keys for @ symbol. Use AltGr with whichever has it.
Italian Keyboard
To type @: AltGr + ò
The ò key is near the L key. Yes, it’s weird.
Alternative: AltGr + @ (if @ is printed on a key)
Scandinavian Keyboards (Swedish, Norwegian, Danish)
To type @: AltGr + 2
Nordic quirk: Some keyboards show @ on the 2 key, others don’t. But AltGr+2 usually works across Nordic countries.
Mac Nordic: Option + ‘ (apostrophe)
Mac: Different for the Sake of Being Different
US Mac
To type @: Shift + 2
Same as PC. Apple kept this simple.
UK Mac
To type @: Shift + 2
Wait, what? Yes, Mac UK uses US layout for @. PCs use Shift+’. Macs use Shift+2. Because Apple.
European Mac
Most European Macs: Option + 2
Or sometimes: Option + L (Italian) Option + ‘ (some layouts)
The rule: On Mac, try Option instead of AltGr.
When Your Keyboard Layout Is Wrong
Windows: Change Keyboard Layout
- Settings → Time & Language → Language
- Click your language → Options
- Add a keyboard → Choose correct layout
- Switch with Windows + Space
Quick toggle: Alt + Shift cycles through installed keyboards
Mac: Fix Keyboard Layout
- System Settings → Keyboard
- Input Sources → Edit
- Add (+) → Choose correct layout
- Menu bar shows flag icon for switching
The Nuclear Option
Can’t figure out your layout? Switch to US temporarily:
- Add US keyboard layout
- Switch to it (Windows + Space)
- Type @ with Shift + 2
- Switch back
Mobile Devices: Where @ Lives
iPhone/iPad
Default keyboard:
- Switch to numbers (123 key)
- @ is right there, no shift needed
Shortcut: Hold comma (,) key → Slide to @
Android
Most keyboards:
- Switch to symbols (?123)
- @ is on first page
Gboard shortcut: Long-press A key → @ appears
Samsung keyboard: Long-press period (.) → Slide to @
Alternative Input Methods
Character Map (Windows)
- Search “Character Map”
- Find @ symbol
- Select, Copy
- Paste where needed
Alt Code (Windows)
Hold Alt + type 64 on numeric keypad
Note: Needs numeric keypad, not top row numbers.
ASCII Code
In some programs: Hold Alt + type 064
Copy-Paste
The universal solution: Copy this: @
Paste anywhere. Works on every device ever made.
Special Situations
Remote Desktop/Virtual Machines
Keyboard layout can get confused between host and guest:
Solution 1: Match layouts on both systems Solution 2: Use on-screen keyboard in guest Solution 3: Copy-paste from host
Gaming Keyboards
Some gaming keyboards remap keys:
- Check gaming software
- Disable gaming mode
- Reset to default profile
Broken @ Key
If your @ key physically doesn’t work:
Windows:
- Alt + 64 (numeric keypad)
- On-screen keyboard
- Character Map
Mac:
- Character Viewer
- Set up text replacement: “at” → @
Both:
- Copy from web
- External keyboard
Programming and @ Symbol
In Code
Different languages treat @ differently:
Python: Decorators
@property
def name(self):
return self._name
C#: Verbatim strings
string path = @"C:\Users\Documents";
PHP: Error suppression
@file_get_contents($file);
CSS: At-rules
@media screen and (max-width: 600px) {
}
Terminal/Command Line
@ often has special meaning:
- SSH:
user@hostname - Git:
git@github.com - Email:
admin@example.com
If @ causes issues, escape it with backslash: \@
Email Address Typing Tips
Since that’s why most people need @:
Mobile shortcut: Most phones auto-suggest @ after typing username portion.
Avoid spaces: No spaces before or after @. john @ email.com is wrong.
Case doesn’t matter: EMAIL@EXAMPLE.COM = email@example.com
Common mistakes:
- Using 2 instead of @ (email2example.com)
- Using (at) in forms that need @
- Forgetting @ entirely
International Keyboard Shortcuts
The Universal Attempts
When traveling or using unfamiliar keyboard, try these in order:
- Shift + 2
- AltGr + Q
- AltGr + 2
- AltGr + 0
- Shift + ‘
- Option + 2 (Mac)
- Option + L (Mac)
One of these will work 95% of the time.
The “Where’s @” Quick Check
Look at your keyboard:
- @ visible on a key? Use Shift or AltGr with that key
- No @ visible? Try AltGr + Q first
- Still nothing? Add US keyboard layout temporarily
Troubleshooting @ Problems
“Shift+2 gives me quotation marks”
You have UK or European layout. Try:
- UK: Shift + ‘ (apostrophe)
- Others: AltGr + Q or AltGr + 2
“I don’t have AltGr key”
Use Ctrl + Alt instead. Same function.
Or right-click → paste @ symbol.
“@ appears as different character”
Character encoding issue:
- Check document encoding (UTF-8 preferred)
- Font might not support @
- Regional settings might be wrong
“Can’t type @ in password field”
Some password fields block paste. Solutions:
- Use on-screen keyboard
- Change keyboard layout temporarily
- Contact support (bad design on their part)
My Personal @ Strategy
After dealing with international keyboards for years:
Main machine: US layout everywhere. Consistency matters more than local convention.
When traveling: First thing I do is add US keyboard layout to any computer I use.
Mobile: Default keyboard, long-press shortcuts memorized.
Password managers: Generate passwords without special characters for problematic sites.
Teaching others: Always ask “What does Shift+2 give you?” first. Identifies layout immediately.
The History Nobody Asked For
@ was dying in the 1960s. Only used for “at the rate of” in accounting. Then Ray Tomlinson needed a character for email that:
- Wasn’t common in names
- Was on every keyboard
- Made linguistic sense
He chose @ because “user AT host” made sense. Now it’s one of the most typed characters in the world.
Quick Layout Identifier
Type Shift + 2. What do you get?
- @ → US layout
- ” → UK/German layout
- é → French layout
- Nothing special → Try AltGr
This instantly tells you which instructions to follow.
The Copy-Paste Hall of Fame
Can’t type it? Copy it:
Email/Social: @
Decorative variants:
- ＠ (fullwidth)
- ⓐ (circled)
- @ (normal)
Related symbols:
- & (ampersand)
- (hashtag)
- ~ (tilde)
The Bottom Line
The @ symbol is essential but inconsistent. Your method depends entirely on your keyboard layout.
Quick solutions:
- US keyboard: Shift + 2
- Can’t find it: Try AltGr + Q
- Still lost: Add US keyboard layout
- Desperate: Copy this → @
Don’t feel bad if you can’t find @. It’s genuinely in different places worldwide. Now you know where to look.
Ultimate @ Reference
By Layout:
- US: Shift + 2
- UK: Shift + ‘
- German: AltGr + Q
- French: AltGr + 0
- Spanish: AltGr + 2
- Italian: AltGr + ò
Universal attempts:
- Shift + 2
- AltGr + Q
- AltGr + 2
Emergency: Alt + 64 (numeric keypad)
Nuclear option: Copy → @
Now go email someone. You know how to @ them properly.