Where Is The Times Symbol On A Laptop?

The times sign (×) hides behind shortcuts: use Alt codes on Windows, Character Viewer on Mac, and Unicode input on Chromebooks.

The multiplication sign isn’t printed on most laptop keyboards, which is why many people reach for the letter “x” or the asterisk “*”. Those work in casual notes, but the proper symbol is the midline cross: × (Unicode U+00D7). This guide shows the fastest ways to insert it on Windows, macOS, and Chromebooks, plus app-specific tricks for Word, Google Docs, and more. You’ll also learn when the asterisk is the right choice, and how to pin the symbol so it’s always a click away.

Times Sign On Your Laptop Keyboard: Quick Methods

Start with the method that matches your device. Each one takes seconds once you’ve tried it once.

Windows: The Three Fastest Options

On Windows, you have multiple routes. Pick what fits your workflow.

Method 1: Alt Code (Works In Most Apps)

Hold Alt, type 0215 on the numeric keypad, then release Alt → ×. Num Lock must be on, and you need a numpad (on many laptops, use the embedded numpad activated by Fn+NumLk). If your laptop has no numpad at all, jump to the Emoji & Symbols panel or Character Map below.

Method 2: Unicode Toggle In Office Apps

In Word or some other Microsoft editors, type 00D7 and then press Alt+X to convert it to ×. This is quick, reliable, and doesn’t need a numpad.

Method 3: Emoji & Symbols Panel (No Numpad Needed)

Press Win + . (period) to open the panel, go to the Symbols tab, and search “multiply” or scroll the Math section, then insert ×. This works in most text fields across Windows 10 and 11.

Need to browse every character? Open the built-in Character Map, copy ×, and paste it where you need it. It’s a good fallback if your app doesn’t accept Alt codes. You can find Character Map by pressing Win and typing “Character Map,” then selecting it from search results.

Mac: Character Viewer And Handy Picks

Mac laptops don’t use Alt codes. Instead, they give you an all-purpose picker with math symbols built in. Place your cursor, press Control + Command + Space, search “multiply,” and double-click the × symbol. You can also favorite it so it’s one click away next time. This method works across most macOS apps, including Pages, Notes, and browsers.

Chromebook: Unicode Input That Just Works

Chromebooks accept Unicode input directly. Click where you want the symbol, press Ctrl + Shift + U, release, type 00d7, then press Enter. You’ll get × instantly. This trick works in Google Docs, Gmail, and most web fields.

Where You’ll Use The Multiplication Sign Most

Different apps expect different operators. Here’s when × is correct, and when the asterisk is the better pick.

Word Processors And Notes

When you need clean, typeset math—say in a report or homework—use ×. In Word, you can insert it from the Symbol menu or by typing 00D7 then Alt+X. In Google Docs, choose Insert → Special characters, search “multiply,” and pick ×. Both options give you the proper symbol at the right size.

Spreadsheets (Excel, Sheets)

Inside formulas, spreadsheets expect the asterisk (*) as the multiplication operator. So a cell formula uses =A1*B1, not ×. If you’re writing a sentence in a cell (not a formula), you can insert × for display, but never inside a formula line.

Coding And Terminals

Programming languages use the asterisk (*) for multiplication. Use × only in comments or documentation. In code, stick with a*b so compilers and interpreters don’t choke on a Unicode symbol.

Step-By-Step: Do It Once, Then It’s Muscle Memory

Windows Walkthroughs

Alt Code Path

Turn on Num Lock.
Place the cursor where the symbol should go.
Hold Alt and type 0215 on the numpad.
Release Alt → you’ll see ×.

Alt+X In Word

Type 00D7 (the Unicode codepoint).
Press Alt+X → Word turns it into ×.

Emoji & Symbols Panel

Press Win + . to open the panel.
Pick the Symbols tab, then the math palette.
Click the × sign to insert it.

Character Map Backup

Open Character Map from the Start menu.
Choose a font you’re using (Calibri, Times New Roman, etc.).
Find or search for ×, click Select → Copy, then paste it into your app.

Mac Walkthrough

Place your cursor in any text field.
Press Control + Command + Space to open Character Viewer.
Search “multiply,” double-click ×, or add it to Favorites for faster access next time.

Chromebook Walkthrough

Click in a text field.
Press Ctrl + Shift + U (a small underlined u appears).
Type 00d7 and press Enter → × appears.

Make It Instant: Create Your Own Shortcut

Typing the code each time gets old. Two quick customizations make × a one-keystroke move.

Windows: Text Replacement In Word

In Word, go to File → Options → Proofing → AutoCorrect Options.
Under Replace, type a trigger (for example, \mult).
Under With, paste ×.
Click Add → OK. Typing \mult now expands to ×.

macOS: Text Replacements

Open System Settings → Keyboard → Text Replacements.
Click +, set Replace to a short trigger (say, ;x), and With to ×.
It works across most apps that use the system text engine.

Google Docs Shortcut

Docs doesn’t have global replacements for symbols by default, but you can keep the Special characters panel a click away or use a Google Input Tools extension. Inside equations, Docs also accepts LaTeX-style commands: type \times in an equation box to produce ×.

Quick Checks So You Pick The Right Mark

Because × looks like a letter x at a glance, it’s easy to mix them up. Here’s how to keep them straight.

The Proper × Versus The Letter x

× sits centered on the midline and is thicker in many fonts; x sits on the baseline and has angled strokes.
Screen readers can read × as “multiplication sign,” which boosts accessibility in math notes.

When The Asterisk Is The Better Choice

Formulas in Excel, Google Sheets, and most calculators expect *.
Programming languages use * for math. Unicode × will break code.
Plain-text messaging may strip special characters; * keeps the meaning.

Common Troubles And Easy Fixes

My Laptop Has No Numpad

Use Win + . on Windows to open Symbols, Character Map to copy/paste, or the Word Alt+X trick. On Mac, Character Viewer is the fastest path. On a Chromebook, use Ctrl + Shift + U then 00d7 → Enter.

Alt Code Doesn’t Work

Make sure Num Lock is on.
Use the numeric keypad keys, not the number row.
Some apps block Alt codes; switch to the Emoji & Symbols panel or Character Map.

The Symbol Looks Off In My Font

Some decorative fonts draw × oddly or lack it. Switch to a standard font (Calibri, Arial, Times New Roman) or insert the symbol from a font that includes it, then set your text to that font.

Shortcuts You Can Copy Now

Keep these close. They’re fast, simple, and proven in everyday apps.

Windows

Alt+0215 → ×
Win+. → Symbols → ×
In Word: 00D7 then Alt+X → ×
Character Map → copy × → paste

macOS

Control+Command+Space → Character Viewer → search “multiply” → ×
Create a Text Replacement: ;x → ×

Chromebook

Ctrl+Shift+U → 00d7 → Enter → ×

App-By-App: What Works Best

Microsoft Word

Fastest: type 00D7 then Alt+X.
Equation mode: press Alt+=, then type \times and hit space to get ×.
Menu path: Insert → Symbol → More Symbols, choose ×.

Google Docs

Menu path: Insert → Special characters, search “multiply.”
Equation editor: insert an equation and type \times.

Excel And Google Sheets

In formulas, type the asterisk: =A1*B1.
In plain text cells, you can insert × for display, but never inside a formula.

Quick Reference Table

The table below compresses the practical shortcuts. Bookmark it or print it if you need to teach students or teammates.

Device/App	Fastest Method	Notes
Windows (any app)	Alt+0215	Num Lock on; needs numpad
Windows (Word)	00D7 then Alt+X	No numpad required
Windows (system-wide)	Win+.	Symbols tab → ×
macOS	Control+Command+Space	Search “multiply” in Character Viewer
Chromebook	Ctrl+Shift+U → 00d7	Press Enter to commit
Google Docs	Insert → Special characters	Search “multiply” or draw the symbol
Word (equations)	\times	Use after Alt+= to start an equation
Excel/Sheets	* (asterisk)	Operator inside formulas

Why The Proper Symbol Matters

In schoolwork, reports, and technical documents, × improves clarity on screen and in print. It avoids confusion with the letter x, plays better with screen readers, and keeps your notation consistent with textbooks and journals. In code and spreadsheet formulas, use *. Everywhere else, × is the clean, readable choice.

Helpful Official Resources

If you want a single, official place to check methods or troubleshoot, these pages are excellent bookmarks:

Insert ASCII Or Unicode Characters (Microsoft Support) — covers Character Map and Unicode input on Windows.
Use Emoji And Symbols On Mac (Apple Support) — explains Character Viewer on macOS.

FAQ-Style Quick Hits (No Fluff)

Is The Letter x Acceptable?

In informal notes, yes. In formal math or published work, use ×. In code and spreadsheet formulas, use *.

What’s The Unicode And HTML For ×?

Unicode is U+00D7. In HTML, use × or ×.

What If My App Blocks Special Characters?

Paste from Character Map (Windows) or Character Viewer (Mac). If that still fails, the app likely restricts Unicode—stick with * in that context.

Your Best Everyday Routine

If you type × often, make it effortless: on Windows use 00D7 → Alt+X in Word and Win+. elsewhere; on Mac press Control+Command+Space and favorite the symbol; on a Chromebook use Ctrl+Shift+U → 00d7. Add a small text replacement (;x → ×) for instant expansion, and you’ll never hunt for the symbol again.