How to Type the Bitcoin Symbol (₿) on Any Device

The Bitcoin symbol ₿ is the official Unicode character for Bitcoin (U+20BF). Whether you’re writing a blog post, invoice, tweet, or financial document, knowing how to type or insert the Bitcoin symbol quickly can save you time. This guide covers every major platform and method.

What Is the Bitcoin Symbol?

The Bitcoin symbol ₿ was added to the Unicode Standard in June 2017 as Unicode character U+20BF. It features a capital letter B with two vertical strokes through the top and bottom, similar in style to the dollar sign ($) or pound sign (£). Before it was officially added to Unicode, writers commonly used the abbreviation BTC or XBT, and many still do today.

The symbol was designed by Satoshi Nakamoto and first appeared in the original Bitcoin software. Its Unicode inclusion means it is now natively supported across modern operating systems, browsers, and fonts.

How to Type the Bitcoin Symbol on Windows

Method 1: Copy and Paste

The fastest method on any platform — simply copy ₿ from this article and paste it wherever you need it. This works in every app, browser, and text editor.

Method 2: Unicode Input (Microsoft Word)

1. Type 20BF (the Unicode code point)
2. Immediately press Alt + X
3. Word will convert it to ₿

Method 3: Character Map

Open the Windows Character Map (Start > search “Character Map”), search for “Bitcoin” or scroll to U+20BF, select the symbol, click Copy, then paste it into your document.

Method 4: Windows Emoji Panel

Press Windows key + . (period) to open the emoji panel, then search for “bitcoin” in the symbols tab.

How to Type the Bitcoin Symbol on Mac

Method 1: Character Viewer

1. Press Control + Command + Space
2. Search for “bitcoin” in the search bar
3. Double-click ₿ to insert it

Method 2: Unicode Hex Input

Enable Unicode Hex Input in System Settings > Keyboard > Input Sources. Once active, hold Option and type 20BF to produce ₿.

How to Type the Bitcoin Symbol on iPhone and Android

Mobile keyboards do not include the Bitcoin symbol by default. The most reliable method on both iOS and Android is to copy ₿ from a webpage or notes app and paste it where needed.

A faster long-term solution is to create a text replacement shortcut:

iPhone (iOS)

1. Go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Text Replacement
2. Tap the + button
3. In Phrase, paste ₿
4. In Shortcut, type something like btcsym

Android

In Gboard, go to Settings > Dictionary > Personal Dictionary and add ₿ as a word with a shortcut phrase like btcsym. Typing that shortcut will auto-suggest the symbol.

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Bitcoin Symbol in HTML, CSS, and Code

For developers and web publishers, here are the correct ways to use the Bitcoin symbol in code:

Method	Code
HTML entity	₿ or ₿
HTML named entity	&bitcoin; (limited browser support)
CSS content property	content: "\20BF";
Direct UTF-8	₿ (works in any UTF-8 encoded file)

Bitcoin Symbol vs. BTC vs. XBT: What’s the Difference?

You’ll encounter three common representations of Bitcoin:

• ₿ — The official Unicode symbol. Best for editorial content, product descriptions, and user-facing text.
• BTC — The most widely recognized abbreviation. Used on exchanges, wallets, and in casual writing.
• XBT — The ISO 4217 currency code used by financial institutions and professional trading platforms.

For most content writing and SEO purposes, BTC remains the most search-friendly term, while ₿ adds visual clarity in formatted documents and product pages.

Quick Reference: Bitcoin Symbol Cheat Sheet

Symbol	₿
Unicode code point	U+20BF
HTML entity	₿
Windows (Word)	Type 20BF then press Alt+X
Mac	Control + Command + Space, search “bitcoin”
Mobile	Copy/paste, or set up a keyboard shortcut
Added to Unicode	June 2017 (Unicode 10.0)

Final Thoughts

The ₿ symbol is widely supported on modern devices and operating systems. For everyday use, copy-paste is the fastest method, but setting up a keyboard shortcut or text replacement on your device of choice will save you time if you write about Bitcoin regularly. Developers should use the HTML entity ₿ for consistent cross-browser rendering.