How to type the at sign (@) on PC and Mac: the ultimate guide and all the tricks

Have you ever stood in front of your computer keyboard—whether PC or Mac—and not known how to type the at symbol (@)? This situation, while it may seem trivial, is more common than you think and can be quite frustrating, especially if you've recently switched operating systems, use a keyboard in another language, or simply never considered the importance of this small symbol in our daily lives . These days, the at symbol is essential for sending emails, registering on platforms, and participating in social media.

In this article, we break down, in a simple yet highly detailed way, all the possible ways to type the @ symbol on different keyboards, including Windows and Mac computers, as well as other keyboard layouts, laptops from various brands, and even mobile phones. You'll also learn useful shortcuts, interesting facts about the at symbol, and solutions to the most common problems that may arise depending on your computer's configuration. This is the most comprehensive resource in Spanish you'll find for mastering the at symbol and much more.

Why can it be difficult to write the @ sign?

The @ symbol is not located or typed the same way on all keyboards and operating systems . Different keyboard layouts (Spanish, Latin American, English, French, Italian, German, etc.), along with the specific features of each manufacturer, can turn a simple task into a headache. Furthermore, laptop keyboards, wireless keyboards, and desktop keyboards can vary in terms of function keys and shortcuts.

Another important factor is your computer's language settings. If you're in a different country or have just bought a computer whose keyboard doesn't match your operating system's language, the symbols on the keys often won't match what you see printed on them.

How to type the at sign (@) on a Windows PC

On Windows computers, the key combination to insert the at symbol (@) usually depends on your keyboard's language and layout. However, there are several universal combinations that generally work on most computers, especially laptops and standard keyboards.

• Spanish keyboard for Latin America: Alt Gr + Q
• International Spanish Keyboard: AltGr + 2
• Numeric keyboard: Hold down the Alt key and, without releasing it, press 64 on the numeric keypad (Alt + 64).
• Extra alternative: Ctrl+Alt+2 (on some laptops and Windows computers, especially if Alt Gr is corrupted or does not exist as such).

On some specific models from brands like HP, Lenovo , Asus, Acer, Dell or Huawei , you can also use:

• Alt Gr + Q
• Shift + 2
• Right Shift + 2
• Shift + Q (less common but may work depending on your configuration)

If you're having trouble and none of these combinations give you the at symbol (@), make sure your Windows keyboard layout matches your keyboard's physical language. To check or change it, go to the language bar (bottom right of the taskbar), click it, and select the appropriate language. If you don't see the bar, you can go to Windows Settings > Time & Language > Language & Region and check your default language and keyboard layout.

How to type the at sign (@) on an Apple Mac

On Macs, the shortcut for typing the at symbol (@) depends primarily on the keyboard language installed on macOS and the keyboard layout. Here are the most common combinations:

• Spanish Keyboard (Spain): Option (⌥) + 2 o Alt + 2
• Latin American Spanish keyboard: Option (⌥) + 2, just like in Spanish for Spain
• English (United States) keyboard: Shift (⇧) + 2
• English (UK) keyboard: Shift (⇧) + ' (the apostrophe, which is usually next to the intro)
• German keyboard (QWERTZ): Option (⌥) + L
• French keyboard (AZERTY): Option (⌥) + 0
• Italian keyboard: Option (⌥) + ò

On most MacBook laptops, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and Magic Keyboards, the most common combination for a Spanish keyboard is Option (⌥) + 2. On models with an English keyboard, it's Shift + 2.

Can't get the @ symbol to appear on your Mac? If the combination mentioned doesn't work, you probably have a different keyboard layout selected (for example, US English on a Spanish physical keyboard). Check the settings by going to Apple menu → System Settings → Keyboard → Input Sources . Add the correct language or toggle until you find the combination that matches your physical keyboard.

Keyboard variants and combinations depending on the language

The key combinations for the at symbol (@) can vary greatly depending on the language and country your keyboard is configured for. The most common variations are listed in the following table:

Keyboard type	Combination for (@)	Notes
Spanish (ISO)	⌥ + 2	Spain and Latin America (Mac)
Spanish (Windows)	Alt Gr + Q / Alt Gr + 2	PC in Spanish
English (US)	⇧ + 2	Shift + 2
English United Kingdom (UK)	⇧ + '	At on the apostrophe key
Latin American	⇧ + 2	Coincides with the USA.
German (QWERTZ)	⌥ + L	On Mac, the @ is in the L
French (AZERTY)	⌥ + 0	On Mac, the @ is at 0
Italian	⌥ + ò	On Mac, the @ is in the ò
Italian PC	Alt Gr + Q	On some models
French PC	Alt Gr + à	On some models

How to add an @ symbol to a laptop of different brands

On laptops, the layout of the keys may vary, but the key combinations for the @ sign are usually as follows:

• HP: Ctrl + Shift + 2 o Alt Gr + Q
• Lenovo: Right Shift + 2, AltGr + 2, Alt Gr + Q, Shift + 2
• Asus: AltGr + 2, Alt Gr + Q, Shift + 2
• Acer: AltGr + 2, Alt Gr + Q, Shift + Q, Right Shift + 2, Alt + 64
• Dell: AltGr + 2, Alt Gr + Q, Shift + 2, Alt + 64
• Huawei: Alt Gr + Q, AltGr + 2, Alt + 64, Alt + 69

Remember: Laptops usually have compact keyboards, sometimes without a numeric keypad. If your laptop lacks a numeric keypad, use the "Alt Gr" combination with the alphanumeric keys (not the numeric keys on the auxiliary keypad). If your keyboard is set to English but the physical layout is Spanish, install the correct language and select the appropriate input source.

How to type the @ symbol on Android and iPhone (iOS) phones

On mobile devices, whether Android or iPhone , the at symbol (@) is even more accessible than on computers. Most virtual keyboards display it on their main screen; if not, simply press the button to access special characters or the numeric keypad.

• Android: Tap the text field, select the numeric keypad (“123”), and the at symbol (@) usually appears on the left.
• iOS / iPhone: Tap the text field, select the numeric keypad (“123”), and the at sign (@) usually appears on the right.

It's that simple and straightforward, without complications. If a custom keyboard (Swiftkey, Gboard, etc.) has a different layout, always look for symbol access from "123" or "?123" or "#+=".

What to do if you can't type the at symbol?

You might encounter problems typing the @ symbol if there's a language mismatch, if your keyboard is damaged, or if the layout doesn't match what you see physically. Here are some simple solutions you can try:

• Check the language settings on your operating system (Windows: Settings > Time & Language > Language & Region; macOS: System Preferences > Keyboard > Input Sources).
• Connect an external USB keyboard to check if the problem persists.
• Use the digital keyboard viewer: on Windows (On-Screen Keyboard), on Mac (Keyboard Viewer from Keyboard Preferences).
• Copy the @ sign from the Internet: Search for “at” or “@” on Google, copy it, and paste it wherever you need it.
• Use the ASCII table: On Windows, hold ALT and type 64 on the numeric keypad.

If the problem persists, it could be a physical issue with the keyboard or the driver. Try updating your keyboard drivers, or if that's not possible, contact your brand's technical support.

Other common shortcuts and symbols on PC and Mac

It's not all about the at symbol: knowing the main keyboard shortcuts will make you much more productive, both on PC and Mac. Here's a quick overview of the most useful ones and how to access other important symbols:

• Copy: Ctrl + C (Windows), Command + C (Mac)
• Paste: Ctrl + V (Windows), Command + V (Mac)
• Cut: Ctrl + X (Windows), Command + X (Mac)
• Select everything: Ctrl + A (Windows), Command + A (Mac)
• Undo: Ctrl + Z (Windows), Command + Z (Mac)
• Search documents: Ctrl + F (Windows), Command + F (Mac)
• Open a new tab in your browser: Ctrl + T (Windows), Command + T (Mac)
• Close tab: Ctrl + W (Windows), Command + W (Mac)
• Print out: Ctrl + P (Windows), Command+P (Mac)
• Keep: Ctrl + S (Windows), Command+S (Mac)
• Force close app: Alt + F4 (Windows), Option + Command + Esc (Mac)
• Paste without formatting on Mac: Shift + Option + Command + V. Very useful for keeping only plain text.
• Spacebar: Use Quick Look on Mac to preview files.
• Moving between open windows: Alt + Tab (Windows), Command + Tab (Mac)

To type other symbols above the numbers on a Mac, use the Shift key (⇧) . For example, Shift + 1 for the exclamation mark, Shift + 2 for double quotes (Spanish keyboard), Option + 3 for the pound sign (#) on a Mac, and Option + E for the euro symbol (€). On Windows, it depends on the layout, but Shift usually also allows access to the symbols above the numbers.

Modifier Keys on Mac and Their Glossary

On a Mac, there are several modifier keys that, when combined, allow you to perform countless shortcuts. They are key to productivity:

• Command (⌘): It is the most used, equivalent to "Ctrl" in Windows
• Option (⌥) or Alt: Provides access to alternative symbols and functions
• Shift (⇧): Used for uppercase and uppercase symbols
• Control (Ctrl): Less used, but useful in some particular shortcuts
• Fn (function): Access secondary functions of the F1-F12 keys
• Caps Lock (⇪): Caps lock

If you've just migrated from Windows to Mac, keep in mind that most "Ctrl" shortcuts on Windows are replaced by "Command" on Mac.

Practical examples of shortcuts on Mac: text, navigation, and more

AGENDA	Shortcut	Description
Copy	⌘+C	Copy the selected item
Take	⌘ + V	Paste the copied content
Cut	⌘ +	Cuts the selected element (works on text)
Undo	⌘ + Z	Reverts the last action
Select all	⌘ + A	Select all content on screen
Search	⌘ + F	Open the search engine within an app or page
Full screen capture	⇧ + ⌘ + 3	Save an image of the entire screen
Selection Capture	⇧ + ⌘ + 4	Select an area manually to capture
Force exit	⌥ + ⌘ + Esc	Open the panel to force close applications
switch between apps	⌘ + Tab	Switch between open applications
Close the window	⌘ + W	Close the active window
Close application	⌘ + Q	Completely close the app
Spotlight Search	⌘ + Spacebar	Powerful global search engine for Mac
Paste without formatting	Shift + Option + ⌘ + V	Paste only plain text

Safari Tricks and Shortcuts for Screenshots

To browse the internet and manage screenshots on a Mac, there are shortcuts designed to streamline your routine:

• Cmd + T: New tab in Safari
• Cmd+N: New window
• Cmd+W: Close current tab
• Cmd + Shift + Left/Right Arrow: Switch between tabs
• Cmd + Shift + T: Reopens closed tab
• Cmd+Shift+3: Full screen capture
• Cmd+Shift+4: Capture selected area
• Cmd + Shift + 4 and space: Capture active window

These commands will allow you to move smoothly between your favorite pages and quickly save visual information.

Mac keyboard models and their advantages

If you use a Mac, you can choose from several Magic Keyboard models, each with its own unique features. Here's a brief description of the most popular ones:

• Magic Keyboard (Standard): Wireless, rechargeable, includes cable USB-C Lightning, automatically connects to the Mac. Precise and convenient.
• Magic Keyboard with Touch ID: Add a fingerprint sensor to log in and complete purchases securely. Wireless and rechargeable.
• Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and numeric keypad: The most complete, with extended keyboard, navigation controls, standard arrow keys and integrated numeric keypad.

All models offer instant connectivity, long-lasting battery life, and full compatibility with macOS Ventura, Sonoma, and later.

Advantages of buying Apple products in official stores

Purchasing Apple equipment from authorized retailers such as the Apple Store or Mac Center offers specific advantages:

• Exclusive financing: Plans such as Davivienda, Addi or “for Life”, with interest-free installments and exclusive tax benefits.
• Retake PlanTrade in your old iPhone or iPad and receive credit toward a new device, with 24-month payment options.
• Official guarantee: All new Apple equipment comes with a one-year warranty.
• Access to the latest models, direct technical support and advice.

Choosing an authorized retailer makes it easier to receive promotions, receive official technical support, and ensure you're protected against any problems.

What is the meaning and uses of the @ symbol?

The at sign (@) is a universally recognized symbol whose use extends far beyond email. Initially, the at sign emerged in Renaissance Europe as an abbreviation of the Latin preposition "ad" and was widely used in commercial contexts to indicate units of weight or quantity.

Today, it stands out for:

• Email addresses: It is used to separate the user from the domain in emails.
• Social networks: Prefix to name users (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook).
• inclusive language: Used to group genders (“children”, “everyone”).
• computer science and programming: Present in commands, scripts and development languages.

Each country gives it a name: in Spanish it is “at sign”, in English “at sign”, in French “arobase”, in German “Klammeraffe”, in Italian “chiocciola”.

Curiosities and history of the @ symbol

The @ symbol has a fascinating history that stretches back centuries. Originally used by European merchants and accountants, the at sign became globally popular when Ray Tomlinson chose it to separate the user and the server on the first email network in the 1970s.

Since then, the at symbol has evolved into an indispensable symbol for digital communication . In art, popular culture, and even fashion, @ holds a special place today.

Quick fixes if you're still having trouble with the @ sign

As a last resort, and if all else fails, you can resort to a temporary solution:

• Access your system's character map (Windows: charmap.exe; Mac: Keyboard & Emoji Viewer)
• Search and copy the @ symbol from Google, as is.
• Update the keyboard drivers on your computer
• Restart your computer or try a different keyboard (USB or wireless)

In extreme cases, your physical keyboard may be faulty and require repair or replacement.