The fastest way: use the checkmark symbol from the Insert menu

Open your Word document and place your cursor where you want the check mark. Go to the Insert tab at the top of the ribbon, then click Symbol (on the far right). A dropdown menu appears — click More Symbols at the bottom. In the dialog box that opens, change the font to Wingdings or Wingdings 2. Scroll down until you find a check mark that looks the way you want it. Click it once to select it, then click Insert. Close the dialog when you're done.

This method works the same way in Word 2016, 2019, 2021, and Microsoft 365. The check mark appears exactly where your cursor was, and you can resize it by selecting it and dragging the corner handles, or by changing the font size like you would any other text.

Key Takeaways

  • The Insert > Symbol menu with Wingdings font is the most reliable way to add a check mark that stays formatted correctly.
  • You can copy a check mark you've already inserted and paste it elsewhere in your document to avoid opening the Symbol dialog repeatedly.
  • Typing a special keyboard code (Alt + 0252 on a numeric keypad) works on some keyboards but not all, especially on laptops without a separate number pad.
  • If you need many check marks in a form or checklist, creating a checkbox using Developer tools is faster than inserting symbols one at a time.

Using keyboard shortcuts if your keyboard has a numeric keypad

On a desktop keyboard with a separate numeric keypad on the right side, you can type a check mark directly. Hold down Alt and type 0252 on the numeric keypad (not the numbers across the top of your keyboard), then release Alt. A check mark appears.

This shortcut does not work on most laptop keyboards because they don't have a dedicated numeric keypad. If your laptop has a Num Lock key, you may be able to enable a hidden numeric keypad on the right side of your keyboard, but the process varies by manufacturer. The Insert > Symbol method is more reliable if you're working on a laptop.

Copying and pasting a check mark you've already made

Once you've inserted one check mark using the Symbol menu, you don't have to open that dialog again. Click on the check mark to select it, then press Ctrl + C (or Cmd + C on Mac) to copy it. Click wherever you want another check mark and press Ctrl + V to paste. You can paste the same check mark as many times as you need.

This is especially useful if you're building a checklist or a form with many check marks. You can also save a document with one check mark already in it, then use that document as a template for future checklists — the check mark will be there ready to copy.

Creating interactive checkboxes for forms

If you're making a form that other people will fill out, a static check mark symbol isn't ideal — readers can't click it to check or uncheck it. Word has a checkbox tool for this. Go to File > Options > Customize Ribbon. On the right side, find Developer in the list and check the box next to it, then click OK. The Developer tab now appears in your ribbon.

Click the Developer tab, then look for Checkbox Content Control (it looks like a small box with a check mark). Click it to insert a checkbox at your cursor. Readers can click the checkbox to toggle it on and off. You can insert as many as you need, and they'll work the same way in any copy of the document.

Choosing between a symbol and a checkbox

A check mark symbol is right for documents that are mostly text — lists, agendas, or documents you'll print out. It's just a character, like a letter or number, so it flows with your text and doesn't require any special setup.

A checkbox is right for digital forms that people will fill out on screen. Readers can click to check or uncheck each box, and the document remembers which boxes are checked. If you're sharing the form with others or collecting responses, checkboxes are much easier to work with than symbols.

Troubleshooting check marks that look wrong

If your check mark looks like a different symbol, you selected the wrong character from the Symbol menu. Open the Symbol dialog again, make sure you're using Wingdings or Wingdings 2 font, and look for a different check mark — there are usually several to choose from. Click the one you want and insert it.

If a check mark you pasted doesn't match the rest of your document's formatting, select it and change the font size or color the same way you would any other text. You can also right-click it and choose Font to adjust the typeface or style. Check marks are just characters, so all normal text formatting works on them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make a check mark in a different color?

Yes. Select the check mark, then use the font color tool in the Home tab (it looks like an "A" with a colored bar underneath). Click the dropdown arrow next to it and choose your color. The check mark changes to that color while the rest of your text stays the same.

What's the difference between Wingdings and Wingdings 2?

Both fonts contain check marks, but they look slightly different. Wingdings has a simpler, cleaner check mark. Wingdings 2 has a boxed check mark that looks more like a checkbox. Open the Symbol dialog and look at both to see which style you prefer, then use that font.

Will my check mark look the same if I send the document to someone else?

Yes, as long as they have Wingdings or Wingdings 2 installed, which comes with every copy of Windows and Mac. The check mark will display the same way on their computer. If you're worried, you can save the document as a PDF before sending it — the check mark will be locked in place and look identical on any device.

Can I make a check mark bigger or smaller?

Yes. Select the check mark, then change the font size using the font size dropdown in the Home tab, the same way you'd resize any text. You can make it as large or small as you need. You can also select it and drag the corner handles if you've converted it to a text box, though the Symbol method doesn't require that step.