Punctuation
How to type Left single quote (‘)
Copy the character, or use the shortcut that matches your keyboard and app.
Windows
Hold Alt and type 0145 on the numeric keypad.
Mac
Option + ]
Microsoft Word
Type 2018 then Alt + X
Google Docs
Insert → Special characters → quote
How to insert it
Copy
Click the keycap, then paste with Ctrl+V or Cmd+V.
Alt code
Num Lock on, hold Alt, type 0145, release Alt.
Code
Use the Unicode, HTML, CSS, or JS value below in documents and stylesheets.
- Unicode
U+2018- HTML decimal
‘- HTML hex
‘- CSS
\2018- JavaScript
\u{2018}- Alt code
Alt + 0145
Related
About the Left single quote
The Left single quote (‘, U+2018) the left single quotation mark — the proper opening single quote in English typography.
These live in the gap between the hyphen on your keyboard and proper typography. Word processors often auto-convert them, but in plain-text fields — code, forms, chats — you need the real character.
If you type ‘ regularly, stop copying it. On Windows, hold Alt and type 0145 on the numeric keypad. On a Mac, press Control+Command+Space to open the Character Viewer and find it instantly. In Word, type 2018 and press Alt+X. The full code list is in the reference table below.
In Unicode it lives in the General Punctuation block, so it behaves the same everywhere Unicode is supported — which today means virtually every device, app, and browser. Related symbols: En dash, Em dash, Ellipsis.
Left single quote quick reference
| Symbol | ‘ |
|---|---|
| Name | Left single quote |
| Unicode | U+2018 |
| Alt code | Alt + 0145 |
| HTML decimal | ‘ |
| HTML hex | ‘ |
| HTML entity | ‘ |
| CSS | \2018 |
| JavaScript | \u2018 |
| URL encoded | %E2%80%98 |
Compatibility: Displays correctly on iPhone, Android, Windows and Mac.
How to type ‘ on your phone
iPhone / iPad
iPhones have no Alt codes. The fastest way is to copy the symbol above and paste it where you need it. To reuse it often, save it as a text replacement: go to Settings → General → Keyboard → Text Replacement, tap +, paste the symbol into Phrase and give it a Shortcut.
Android
On Gboard, tap ?123 then =\< to open the symbols keyboard — many symbols hide under a long-press on related keys. Otherwise just copy the symbol above and paste it; it works in every app.