How to Type the Inch Symbol (")

By any measurement, it’s no big deal to insert the inch symbol (") into a document on a Windows PC, on a Mac, or on iOS and Android devices. 

Follow any of the shortcuts below. 

How to Insert the Inch Symbol on a Windows PC

The inch symbol is straight double prime marks, not “curly” or “smart” quotes. To achieve this symbol using a Windows PC, click to the place in your document where you would like to insert the inch symbol. Next, hold the Alt key and type the numbers 034.

If you’re using Microsoft Word, another method is to hold down Shift and the quotation mark key. Because this will auto-format to “curly” quotes, press undo to revert the symbol to straight double prime marks. 

If you plan to use the inch symbol multiple times in a Microsoft Word document, you can adjust your AutoCorrect options to automatically replace a word or phrase (such as “inch”) with the symbol. 

How to Insert the Inch Symbol on a Mac

A simple keyboard shortcut will produce the inch symbol on a Mac. Hold Shift, followed by the letter quotation-mark key. Now hold Command and the letter Z to remove the automatic styling of the marks. Remember, inch marks shouldn’t have a “curly” effect.

Want to be even more exact? Typography sticklers will ask you to highlight the inch symbol and press Command + the letter I to italicize the marks, giving them a slight slant. This keyboard shortcut works in most applications, including Pages, Notes, Google Docs, and Microsoft Word.

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How to Insert the Inch Symbol on an iPhone or iPad

On an iPhone, tap the 123 to open numbers and symbols. Now hold down the quotation-mark key to reveal more options. Click the slightly slanted symbol to include the inch symbol in your document. 

How to Insert the Inch Symbol on an Android Phone

On your Android phone, tap the ?123 to open the numbers and symbols keyboard, then select =/< to see more symbols. Click on the double prime marks to include the inch symbol in your message or document.

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