How to Type the British Pound Symbol (£) on Any Device

Whether you’re part of the big screen team or prefer to use your smartphone, if you’re looking for a way to add the British pound symbol (£) to your documents, emails, or messages, we have your back. In this guide, we'll walk you through the simple steps to quickly insert the GBP symbol on your device: whether it is MacOS, Windows PC, or smartphone.

What Is the British Pound Symbol (£)?

The British pound symbol (£) represents the pound sterling, the official currency of the United Kingdom. It has a three-letter ISO code, GBP, which is short for Great British Pound. However, some people write “GPB” accidentally or out of confusion. So, do keep in mind it’s always GBP.

Where Did the British Pound Symbol Come From?

The British pound sterling has a long and rich history dating back over 1,200 years. In the beginning, it was used as a weight measure for silver in Anglo-Saxon England and later became the official currency in 1694 under William III. As the British Empire grew larger and larger, it became more prominent worldwide. In spite of challenges such as wartime disruptions or the 1967 devaluation, the British pound remained a strong currency. Centuries later, in 1971 to be more precise, the pound left the gold standard. Thanks to the UK’s economy and historical impact on finance and trade, it has kept its reputation as a prominent global currency to this day, in spite of recent shifts like Brexit.

According to the Bank of England, the £ symbol originates from the letter L, which is the first letter of the Latin word for libra, meaning a pound of money. Although the exact time when the horizontal line was added is unknown, it can be traced back to a 1660 cheque in the Bank of England's collection.

Fun fact, in 1970 a new £20 banknote featuring William Shakespeare was issued by the Bank of England. This began the tradition of including characters that have shaped the United Kingdom on coins and notes.

Simple Ways to Insert the £ Symbol into a Document

Now that we're familiar with the British pound symbol, let's delve into the reason you’re here. So, how do you type it on both MacOS and Windows keyboards, as well as a smartphone?

For Mac Users

If you're using a Mac, the quickest way is to use a keyboard shortcut. You simply need to hold down the Option (⌥) key and simultaneously press the number 3.

For Windows Users

On a Windows PC or laptop, you can use different methods:

• Hold down the Shift key and press the number 3 (on a UK keyboard).
  
  
• On a US keyboard, press Alt + 0163 using the numeric keypad.
  
  
• Alternatively, you can use the Windows Character Map to copy and paste the symbol.
  
  

To make things even easier for you, some keyboards have the £ sign printed above the number 3 key. That way you will never forget where it is. Just keep in mind that American keyboards may not include the British pound symbol.

Maybe you don’t have a UK keyboard or find it hard to remember key combinations. In that case, you can always copy and paste the pound symbol. Here you go: £

For Smartphone Users

Now, let's move on to using the £ sign on your mobile device, whether you have an iOS or Android device.  We have got you covered. While using your smartphone or tablet, you just need to switch to the numbers and symbols keyboard on your device, and you will find the £ symbol as one of the character options. In case you can’t see it, try long-pressing the dollar sign ($) to access more currency symbols.

Keyboard-Free? No Problem

What if you don't have access to a keyboard? Don’t worry! There's a way to insert the British pound symbol in the most popular word processors without typing.

If you're using applications like Microsoft Word or Google Docs, follow these steps:

1. In Microsoft Word, go to the "Insert" tab at the top and select "Symbol." In Google Docs, choose "Special Characters" from the drop-down menu.
   
   
2. Look for the pound sign (£) in the list of characters. In Google Docs, you may need to select "Symbol" first and then navigate to the "Currency" category.
   
   
3. Click on the £ symbol to insert it into your document.
   

‍

Proper Usage and Formatting Rules

Knowing how to type the symbol is only half the story. Maybe you are an expert already, but in the case you are not, you need to learn how to use it correctly.

You should also use it correctly. Here are the basics:

• The British pound symbol (£) always comes before the amount, with no space. Example: £50.
  
  
• Avoid placing it after the number (50£) or with a space between the symbol and the number (£ 50).
  
  
• In professional and international contexts, use the code GBP instead of the symbol. Example: GBP 50.
  
  
• Save the £ symbol for everyday needs like receipts, emails, or casual writing.
  
  

If you stick to these formatting rules, you will stay consistent with the standards set by the Bank of England among other renowned financial institutions.

Conclusion

See? It wasn’t that hard. Now you know how to use the British pound symbol (£) on your MacOS computer, Windows PC, or mobile device… and you can probably even start a whole conversation about its origins.

Feel free to use these methods whenever you need to add this important currency symbol to your content, whether for documents, messages, or financial transactions.

If you need to send pounds overseas, Tap has got you covered with low fees and excellent exchange rates. Send funds from anywhere to anywhere, and for free between Tap users. Simply load either GBP or Euro onto the app and seamlessly send, spend or exchange your funds wherever you are.

‍