How to Type the Inch Symbol (")

Follow these simple methods for inserting the inch symbol in Microsoft Word, on a Mac, or on iOS and Android devices.

2 Min Read
Close-up of grey computer keyboard with symbols.
MikeCS images / Alamy Stock Photo

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.

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.

Additional Resources

Read more about:

Data Center Knowledge

About the Authors

Henry Chapman

Contributor

Henry Chapman is a freelance writer and contributor to ITPro Today and Data Center Knowledge.

Data Center Knowledge

Data Center Knowledge, a sister site to ITPro Today, is a leading online source of daily news and analysis about the data center industry. Areas of coverage include power and cooling technology, processor and server architecture, networks, storage, the colocation industry, data center company stocks, cloud, the modern hyper-scale data center space, edge computing, infrastructure for machine learning, and virtual and augmented reality. Each month, hundreds of thousands of data center professionals (C-level, business, IT and facilities decision-makers) turn to DCK to help them develop data center strategies and/or design, build and manage world-class data centers. These buyers and decision-makers rely on DCK as a trusted source of breaking news and expertise on these specialized facilities.

Sign up for the ITPro Today newsletter
Stay on top of the IT universe with commentary, news analysis, how-to's, and tips delivered to your inbox daily.

You May Also Like