How to Type Symbols on Linux: Ctrl+Shift+U, Compose Key and More

How-To Guides · 3 min read · Published October 25, 2026

Quick answer: on most Linux desktops, press Ctrl+Shift+U, type the Unicode hex code and press Space or Enter. For example, 2014 gives — and 00B0 gives °. For symbols you type often, turn on the Compose key, so that Compose, o, c gives ©. Windows Alt codes do not work on Linux.

Quick reference: every method

Every Alt code below is verified against the real Windows code pages — where none exists we say so, rather than list one that won’t work.

Method 1: Ctrl + Shift + U

1. Press Ctrl+Shift+U; an underlined u appears.
2. Type the hex code, for example 2192.
3. Press Space or Enter and → appears.

This works in GNOME and in most apps that use GTK or the IBus input system. In some other toolkits, terminals or apps with their own input handling it may do nothing; then use the Compose key or paste. Codes are the same ones listed as "U+" on every symbol page of this site.

Method 2: the Compose key

The Compose key lets you type a symbol by "spelling" it. First choose a key for it:

• GNOME: Settings → Keyboard → Type Special Characters → Compose Key, then turn it on and pick a key (for example Right Alt or Menu).
• KDE Plasma: look in System Settings → Keyboard → the advanced options for the Compose key position.

Then press and release Compose, followed by the sequence:

The full list is in your system's Compose file, and you can add your own sequences in a file called .XCompose in your home folder. Support for that file depends on the input method in use.

Method 3: character maps and emoji

• GNOME Characters (and gucharmap) on GNOME, or KCharSelect on KDE: search by name, click to copy, then paste.
• Emoji: Ctrl+; in GNOME apps opens the emoji chooser; on KDE Plasma Meta+. opens the emoji selector.

Method 4: in specific apps

• LibreOffice: type the hex code and press Alt+X, just like in Word (Word guide). Insert → Special Character also opens a searchable dialog.
• Terminal (bash): printf '→\n' prints →.
• HTML and code: use → in HTML or → in JavaScript and Python strings.

Keyboard layouts with AltGr

Choosing a layout such as English (US, intl., with dead keys) in the keyboard settings gives dead-key accents and extra characters on AltGr (Right Alt), similar to the Windows US International layout. It is the quickest way if you write accented letters every day (other languages).

Troubleshooting

• A box appears: the font lacks the character; install a broad font family such as Noto (why boxes appear).
• Compose does nothing: make sure the key chosen isn't also used for something else, such as switching layouts.

Related: Chromebook, which also uses Ctrl+Shift+U, and the symbols cheat sheet with Unicode codes.

Frequently asked questions