How to Type the Tilde Symbol on Chromebooks and Windows PCs

It’s more than just a squiggle

The tilde symbol (~) might not be the most frequently used character on a keyboard, but it has some important uses. The tilde is often used in mathematics and with foreign languages, but it has several other potential uses (such as when working in a terminal).

If you’re using a Windows PC or a Chromebook, you might want to know how to type the tilde symbol on your PC. There are a few methods you can use, depending on what device you’re using. To type a tilde symbol, follow these steps.

What Is the Tilde Symbol?

The tilde symbol (or~) is a punctuation mark. It’s most commonly used in various contexts, such as mathematics, computer programming, and linguistic notation.

In mathematics, it often represents an approximation or similarity. In computer programming, the tilde is used as a logical operator, file directory shortcut, or to perform other functions.

In linguistics, the tilde can be used as a diacritical mark, often placed above a letter to indicate a change in pronunciation or to signify a nasal consonant. You’ll see it used in Spanish and Portuguese languages the most.

How to Type the Tilde Symbol on a Chromebook

There are a few ways you can type a tilde symbol on a Chromebook (as long as your Chromebook is working properly).

The easiest method to type a tilde symbol on a Chromebook is to press the relevant key combinations on your keyboard.

To do this, press theShift keyand thegrave accent (`) keytogether. The grave accent is the key next to the number one key on the top-left.

If this doesn’t work, you may need to switch your keyboard layout first. OpenSettings > Languages and Input > Manage Input Methodsand choose an appropriate layout, such asUS International Keyboard.

Another method to type the tilde symbol without enabling the international keyboard is to use the Unicode entry method. Unicode is a standard for attaching specific values to each character in most modern languages, making identifying certain characters (such as the tilde symbol) easy.

To use your keyboard to type the Unicode key value for a tilde, press theCtrl + Shift + Ukeys together. An underlinedusymbol will appear on your screen.

Next, type the Unicode value for the tilde symbol (007E)and pressEnter. The tilde symbol will appear in your text prompt.

How to Type the Tilde Symbol on a Windows PC

On a Windows PC, you can type the tilde symbol in a few ways. You can use a few keyboard shortcuts or theCharacter Maptool to select and copy it manually.

Depending on your keyboard layout, the tilde symbol might appear in a few different places on your keyboard.

On a US layout, you may find that the tilde symbol is in the top-left corner (next to the number one key) combined with thegrave accentsymbol. Alternatively, the tilde symbol is next to theEnterkey (and above theShiftkey) in the middle of your keyboard.

As the tilde symbol is a secondary key press value, you may need to hold theShiftkey before you press these keys for it to appear.

You can also use theCharacter Maptool to make the tilde character appear. You can find this in the Start menu by searching forcharacter map.

In the Character Map window, you can then scroll through the list of characters to locate the tilde (or to locate other characters that use a tilde above it). The main tilde symbol should be found in the fifth row.

To copy it, double-click the symbol using your mouse. The value will appear in the text box at the bottom—pressCopyto copy it to your keyboard.

You can then paste the value elsewhere.

How to Copy the Tilde Symbol Using a Website

Struggling to type the tilde symbol on your keyboard? Whether you’re using a PC or Chromebook, you can quickly copy and paste the symbol from a website.

For instance, run a Google search for the tilde symbol. The featured snippet at the top will show the symbol for you to copy—select it, right-click, and pressCopyto do this. Alternatively, pressCtrl + Cto copy it.

You can paste the item into your chosen text prompt by right-clicking and pressingPasteorCtrl + Vinstead.

Typing on Windows

Using the steps above, you can quickly type the tilde symbol on Chromebooks and Windows PCs using keyboard shortcuts or supported tools.

For Windows users,installing an additional keyboard languagecan help you unlock specific characters (like the tilde) that you may need to use.

If you’re experiencing akeyboard disconnecting issue on Windows 11, update your system and ensure that your drivers are up-to-date to resolve the problem.

Ben Stockton is a freelance technology writer based in the United Kingdom. In a past life, Ben was a college lecturer in the UK, training teens and adults. Since leaving the classroom, Ben has taken his teaching experience and applied it to writing tech how-to guides and tutorials, specialising in Linux, Windows, and Android. He has a degree in History and a postgraduate qualification in Computing.Read Ben’s Full Bio

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