The fastest way to add a check mark

Open your Word document and click where you want the check mark to appear. Hold down the Alt key, type 0252 on the numeric keypad (not the number row), then release Alt. A check mark will appear when ready.

This method works in any version of Word on Windows. If you are on a Mac or do not have a numeric keypad, the methods below will work instead. The Alt code is fastest once you know it, which is why it appears first — but it only works on Windows with a full keyboard.

Key Takeaways

  • The Alt+0252 code on a numeric keypad is the quickest method on Windows, but only works with a full keyboard, not a laptop trackpad.
  • The Insert menu method works on any device and any version of Word, and lets you search for the exact symbol you want.
  • Word's AutoCorrect feature can turn a typed shortcut like (c) into a check mark automatically, saving time if you insert many.
  • Mac users can use the Character Viewer to find and insert check marks without memorizing codes.

Using the Insert menu on any device

Click the Insert tab at the top of Word. In the ribbon, find the Symbol button (it looks like the Greek letter Omega, Ω). Click the small arrow next to it and select More Symbols.

A dialog box will open. In the Font dropdown at the top, select Wingdings. Scroll down until you see a check mark that looks the way you want it — there are several styles available. Click the check mark once to select it, then click the Insert button at the bottom right of the dialog.

This method works on Windows, Mac, and any version of Word. It takes a few more clicks than the Alt code, but you can see what you are inserting before it goes into your document, and you have choices about which style of check mark to use.

Setting up a keyboard shortcut for repeated use

If you insert check marks often, you can teach Word to create one when you type a shortcut. Open the Insert menu and go to More Symbols again. Find the check mark you want, click it once, then click the AutoCorrect button at the bottom left of the dialog.

A second dialog will open. In the Replace field, type a shortcut you will remember — for example, :check: or checkmark. Make sure the With field shows your check mark. Click Add, then OK. From now on, whenever you type your shortcut and press the spacebar, Word will replace it with a check mark.

Choose a shortcut that is unlikely to appear in your normal writing. Something like :check: works well because you would never type that by accident. If you use check as your shortcut, Word will replace it every time you type the word "check" in a sentence, which will be annoying.

Finding check marks on a Mac

Click where you want the check mark. Hold down the Control key and the Space bar at the same time. The Character Viewer will open. Type check in the search box at the top.

Several check mark options will appear. Double-click the one you want, and it will insert into your document. You can also click once to select it, then click the Insert button at the bottom right.

If the Character Viewer does not open with Control+Space, go to System Preferences, click Keyboard, then Input Sources, and check the box next to Show Input menu in menu bar. Then try Control+Space again.

Copying a check mark from elsewhere

If you have already typed a check mark somewhere in your document or found one online, you can copy and paste it instead of inserting it fresh. Click or tap on the check mark, press Ctrl+C (or Cmd+C on Mac), then click where you want it and press Ctrl+V (or Cmd+V).

This is useful when you are working on a document that already has the style of check mark you need. It is faster than opening the Insert menu, and the check mark will match exactly.

Why some check marks look different

Word offers check marks in different fonts, and they look noticeably different from each other. The Wingdings font has a straightforward, clean check mark. The Wingdings 2 font has a heavier, boxed check mark. The Segoe UI Symbol font has a modern, thin check mark.

If you insert a check mark and it looks wrong compared to the rest of your document, it may be because the font changed. Click the check mark, then look at the font dropdown in the ribbon. If it says Wingdings but your document is in Calibri, the check mark will stand out. You can either change the check mark's font to match your document, or choose a different check mark style that looks better in your font.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Alt+0252 not work on my laptop?

Laptops usually do not have a numeric keypad. Try using the Insert menu method instead, or use the Fn key plus Num Lock to enable a hidden numeric keypad on your keyboard. Check your laptop's manual to see if this is possible on your model.

Can I use a checkbox that people can click to mark as complete?

Yes, but that requires a form field or content control, not a straightforward symbol. Go to Developer tab, then Controls, and select Checkbox Content Control. This creates an interactive box that readers can click. If you do not see the Developer tab, go to File, Options, Customize Ribbon, and check the Developer box.

What if the check mark I insert looks like a different symbol?

You may have selected the wrong character from the Symbols dialog. Open More Symbols again, make sure Wingdings is selected in the Font dropdown, and look for the check mark shape you want. Some fonts have multiple check mark styles in different positions.

Can I make the check mark bigger or smaller?

Yes. Click the check mark to select it, then use the font size dropdown in the ribbon to change its size, just like you would with text. You can also make it bold, italic, or change its color using the formatting buttons.