[Clacky](https://clacky.app/) / [Free tools](https://clacky.app/tools/)

# Mac keyboard symbols

What do ⌘, ⌥, ⇧ and ⌃ mean? Here’s every symbol you see in Mac menus, with its name. Click one to copy it, for docs, tutorials or a message to a friend.

Everything runs in your browser. Nothing you type, click, film or say is uploaded or saved.

**Clacky**FileEditViewWindowHelp

**Hi! It’s all free 👋**Click an app to open it. Drag a window by its top bar.

-   
-   
-   
-   
-   
-   
-   [Clacky Island](#live "The live click map, just below")
-   
-   
-   
-   
-   
-   
-   
-   

-   
-   
-   
-   
-   
-   
-   [Clacky Island](#live)

It runs right here, on the little Mac. Drag the window, open other apps from the Dock.

## The four modifier keys

-   **⌘ Command:** the main shortcut key (⌘C copy, ⌘V paste).
-   **⌥ Option:** alternatives and special characters (⌥ + e then e gives é).
-   **⇧ Shift:** capitals, and “the other way” (⇧⌘Z redo).
-   **⌃ Control:** extra shortcuts; Control-click is a right click.

## Reading a shortcut

Mac menus list modifiers in a fixed order: ⌃ ⌥ ⇧ ⌘, then the key. So **⌥⇧⌘V** means hold Option, Shift and Command, then press V.

## Typing the symbols yourself

Open the Character Viewer with ⌃⌘Space (or 🌐 + E) and search for “command”. The Apple logo is ⌥⇧K on a US keyboard, and only shows on Apple devices.

Make your Mac feel this good all day

Clacky has a shortcuts sheet and ⌘K search for every tool, and makes each of those key presses sound great.

[Try Clacky free for 7 days](https://clacky.app/try/)

## Questions

### What is the ⌥ symbol on a Mac?

It’s the Option key (also labelled alt). It changes what a shortcut does or types special characters.

### How do I type the ⌘ symbol?

Click it here to copy it, or open the Character Viewer (⌃⌘Space) and search for “place of interest”, its Unicode name.

### Why does the Apple logo show as a box?

The logo is a private character that only Apple fonts include, so on Windows or Android it shows as a box or nothing.

## More free tools

-   [Keyboard testerPress every key, see which ones work.](https://clacky.app/tools/keyboard-tester/)
-   [Mouse testEvery button, the wheel and double-clicks.](https://clacky.app/tools/mouse-test/)
-   [CPS testClicks per second, 1 to 60 s.](https://clacky.app/tools/cps-test/)
-   [Webcam testYour camera, its resolution and fps.](https://clacky.app/tools/webcam-test/)
-   [Microphone testLive level, waveform, 5-second playback.](https://clacky.app/tools/mic-test/)
-   [Dead pixel testFull-screen colours to spot bad pixels.](https://clacky.app/tools/dead-pixel-test/)
-   [What is my screen resolution?Resolution, Retina scale, viewport, Hz.](https://clacky.app/tools/screen-resolution/)
-   [Typing Test](https://clacky.app/typing-test/)