About the Symbols Copy and Paste
Symbols Copy and Paste is a searchable board of more than 300 text symbols. Tap any symbol and it is copied to your clipboard and added to a text box, so you can build a line such as “Rating: ★★★★☆ → 4/5” and copy it all at once. Symbols are sorted into fourteen groups, from stars, hearts and arrows to currency signs, fractions, Greek letters, music notes, weather signs and box-drawing lines. For the last symbol you tapped, the tool shows its name, its Unicode code point (such as U+2605) and its HTML entity (such as ★). These are text characters, not pictures, so how they look depends on the fonts of the device that shows them.
Updated September 2026
How to use the Symbols Copy and Paste
- 1Type a word such as heart, arrow or euro in the search box, or pick a group.
- 2Tap a symbol. It is copied and added to “Your text”.
- 3Tap more symbols, or type your own words around them.
- 4Press “Copy text” and paste the result where you need it.
How to copy a symbol
Choose a group or type a word into the search box. Every word you type has to match the symbol's name, its group or one of its keywords, so “black heart” finds ♥ and ❤ while “heart love” narrows it further. Tap a symbol and a short message confirms it was copied.
The text box below the board keeps everything you tapped. It is a normal text box, so you can type around the symbols, delete one, or press Clear to start again. If your browser blocks copying, the tool selects the text in the box and asks you to press Ctrl+C, or Cmd+C on a Mac.
Symbols on phones and computers
On a computer you can paste with Ctrl+V. On an iPhone or Android phone, press and hold inside a message or note and choose Paste. The board itself uses large tap targets, so it is comfortable to use with a thumb.
Typical uses include star ratings in a review, arrows in a slide or a to-do list, check marks in a checklist, bullet points in a social media bio, currency signs in a price list, and degree or fraction signs in a recipe.
Why some symbols show as boxes
This is why the board sticks to widely supported text symbols rather than colourful emoji. If a box appears on the receiving side, pick a more common symbol from the same group. Symbols are text, not images, so they also take on the colour and size of the text around them.
- The device has no font that includes that character.
- The app you paste into uses a limited set of fonts.
- Very new or rare symbols are added to devices later than common ones.
- A symbol may look thicker, thinner or coloured on different systems, because each font draws it differently.
Unicode code points and HTML entities
Unicode gives every character a number, written like U+00A9 for the copyright sign. Developers use these numbers in code and in documentation. An HTML entity such as © lets you place the same character in a web page even when your file cannot store it directly.
After you tap a symbol, its name, code point and HTML entity appear under the board. The entity shown is the decimal form, with one entity for each code point.
Some websites, forms and usernames filter out special characters, so a symbol that works in a message may be refused elsewhere. Want the same words in bold or curly letters? The Case Converter changes capitals, and Text to Speech reads a line aloud so you can hear how it sounds.
Features
- Over 300 symbols in 14 groups
- Search by name or keyword
- Tap once to copy
- A text box that collects your symbols
- Shows the Unicode code point and HTML entity
- Works on phones, tablets and computers
Frequently asked questions
How do I copy and paste a symbol?
Tap the symbol on the board and it is copied straight away. Then paste it with Ctrl+V on a computer, or press and hold in a text field on a phone and choose Paste. Each symbol you tap is also added to the “Your text” box.
How do I type the copyright or degree symbol?
Search for “copyright” or “degree” and tap the symbol to copy it. It is faster than remembering keyboard shortcuts. The ©, ® and ™ signs are in the Legal & marks group, and ° is there as well.
Why does a symbol show as a box?
The symbol is a valid character, but the font on the device that displays it has no picture for it. Older phones and some apps carry fewer fonts. Common symbols such as arrows, stars and currency signs almost always show, while rarer ones may not.
Can I use these symbols on Instagram, WhatsApp and in documents?
Usually yes, because they are ordinary text characters. Instagram bios, WhatsApp messages, Word, Google Docs and most websites accept them. A few forms and usernames filter special characters, so check the field before you rely on one.
What is the Unicode code of a symbol?
Every character has a number in the Unicode standard. Tap a symbol and the line under the board shows it, for example U+2605 for the black star, along with the decimal HTML entity you can paste into a web page.
How do I type an arrow or a check mark on my keyboard?
Most keyboards have no key for them. Search for “arrow” or “check” here, tap the one you want and paste it. If you use one often, keep this page saved on your phone's home screen.
How is this different from Fancy Text Generator?
Fancy Text Generator restyles the letters you type into other looks. This page copies single symbols that you place wherever you like.