How do I type a check mark on Windows or Mac?

There’s no default single-key shortcut for ✓. On Windows, press Win + . (period) to open the emoji panel and search “check,” or type 2713 then Alt + X in Word. On a Mac, press Control + Command + Space and search “check mark.” Copying from this page is usually fastest.

What is the difference between ✓, ✔ and ✅?

✓ and ✔ are text symbols that take on your font’s color — ✓ is thin and ✔ is heavy. ✅ is an emoji (“check mark button”) that appears as a green box with a white check, drawn by your device’s emoji font.

Is √ the same as a check mark?

No. √ is the square root sign from math. It looks similar, and Option + V types it on a Mac, which is why some people use it as a quick check mark — but search engines and screen readers treat it as a square root.

Do check mark symbols work in Excel formulas?

Yes. Check and X marks are ordinary Unicode text, so you can put them inside quotes in formulas like =IF(B2="Done","✓","✗") or match them with text-based conditional formatting rules.

Check Mark Symbol ✓ Copy and Paste

Copy check marks, X marks and checkbox symbols in one click — perfect for to-do lists, Notion pages, spreadsheets and quick yes/no replies.

Your picks — tap symbols below to collect them here

Check Mark Symbols

X Mark & Cross Mark Symbols

Checkbox & Square Symbols

Checklist Combos

✅Copied!

Keyboard shortcuts & HTML codes

Windows Alt codes need the numeric keypad with Num Lock on. On Mac, hold Option (⌥) while pressing the key.

Symbol	Name	Windows	Mac	HTML
✓	Check Mark	—	—	&check;
√	Square Root (Check Lookalike)	Alt+251	Option+V	√
✗	Ballot X	—	—	&cross;
×	Multiplication Sign	Alt+0215	—	×
■	Black Square	Alt+254	—	—

Which Check Mark Should You Use?

✓ (Check Mark, U+2713) is the lightest and most universal option — it matches regular text well in emails, Word documents and Google Sheets. ✔ (Heavy Check Mark) is bolder and reads better at small sizes, while ✅ is the green emoji version that stands out in chat apps and social posts. For forms and checklists, ☐ (empty ballot box), ☑ (checked) and ☒ (crossed out) give you a complete set that works as plain text.

Pair a check with a matching X mark for quick comparison tables: ✓ / ✗ and ✔ / ✘ look consistent because each pair comes from the same Unicode family.

Check Marks in Word, Excel and Google Docs

Office apps don’t have a dedicated check mark key. In Microsoft Word you can type 2713 and press Alt + X to convert it into ✓ (2714 gives ✔). In Excel and Google Sheets, just paste ✓ into a cell — it behaves like normal text, so you can use it in formulas such as =IF(A2>0,"✓","✗"). In Google Docs, Insert → Special characters lets you search for “check.” In HTML, &check; renders ✓.