How to type the section sign §, paragraph mark ¶, copyright ©, registered ®, trademark ™, and other legal symbols on macOS, Windows, Microsoft Word, Google Docs, and the web — with the 2026 working shortcut list.
**Section sign §** (most common need for lawyers) - macOS: Option + 6 - Windows (most apps): Alt + 0167 (numpad), or Alt + 21 in some contexts - Microsoft Word (any OS): type `\section` then space, or use Insert > Symbol - Google Docs: Insert > Special characters > search "section sign" - HTML entity: `§` or `§` - Unicode: U+00A7
**Paragraph mark ¶** (used for paragraph references in legal citations and pleadings) - macOS: Option + 7 - Windows: Alt + 0182 (numpad) - Microsoft Word: `\paragraph` then space; or Ctrl+Shift+8 toggles paragraph mark display (not insertion) - Google Docs: Insert > Special characters > search "pilcrow" - HTML entity: `¶` or `¶` - Unicode: U+00B6
**Copyright ©** - macOS: Option + G - Windows: Alt + 0169 (numpad), or autoreplace from `(c)` in Word and Google Docs - HTML entity: `©` or `©` - Unicode: U+00A9
**Registered trademark ®** - macOS: Option + R - Windows: Alt + 0174 (numpad), or autoreplace from `(r)` in Word and Google Docs - HTML entity: `®` or `®` - Unicode: U+00AE
**Trademark ™** - macOS: Option + 2 - Windows: Alt + 0153 (numpad), or autoreplace from `(tm)` in Word and Google Docs - HTML entity: `™` or `™` - Unicode: U+2122
**Degree °** (used in some forensic, surveying, and contract specifications) - macOS: Option + Shift + 8 - Windows: Alt + 0176 (numpad) - HTML entity: `°` or `°`
**Em dash —** (used in legal writing for parenthetical clauses) - macOS: Option + Shift + Hyphen - Windows: Alt + 0151 (numpad), or in Word the autoreplace from two hyphens - HTML entity: `—` or `—`
**En dash –** (used in date and statute ranges) - macOS: Option + Hyphen - Windows: Alt + 0150 (numpad) - HTML entity: `–` or `–`
**Bullet •** (typography in pleadings and contracts) - macOS: Option + 8 - Windows: Alt + 0149 (numpad) - HTML entity: `•` or `•`. Senior strategists own every legal symbols keyboard shortcuts engagement here — never juniors learning on your account. We track legal symbols keyboard shortcuts performance weekly across our portfolio. Senior strategists own every legal symbols keyboard shortcuts engagement here — never juniors learning on your account.
**Windows laptops without numpads.** The Alt + numeric-code shortcuts above require an actual numeric keypad. Most modern laptops don't have one. Workarounds: (1) use the Windows on-screen keyboard with numpad enabled, (2) enable Fn-locked numpad on laptops that have an embedded numpad, (3) use the Windows Character Map utility, (4) install a third-party tool like AutoHotkey to define your own shortcuts, (5) use Windows + . (period) to open the emoji and symbol picker (Windows 10+), or (6) use Word / Google Docs autoreplace as below.
**Microsoft Word AutoCorrect.** Word ships with several legal-symbol autoreplaces enabled by default: `(c)` → ©, `(r)` → ®, `(tm)` → ™. You can add your own (File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options): map `\sec` to §, `\para` to ¶, etc. This is the fastest input method for high-volume legal writers on Windows.
**Google Docs.** Insert > Special characters opens a fast searchable picker — type "section" and § appears. You can also enable substitutions in Tools > Preferences > Substitutions (e.g., `\sec` → §).
**Mac shortcuts that don't work in some apps.** The Option-key combos above work in nearly every macOS app, but some terminal emulators, browsers in input fields, and remote-desktop sessions intercept Option-key combos differently. If a shortcut doesn't work in a specific app, fall back to Edit > Special Characters or copy-paste from a reference document.
**iOS / Android.** Long-press the relevant key on the on-screen keyboard. Long-press 'S' to surface § on most modern keyboards; long-press 'P' or paragraph-key options for ¶. iOS users can also add Text Replacements in Settings > General > Keyboard > Text Replacement (e.g., type `ssec` to expand to §).
**The web (form fields, browser address bar, etc.).** All shortcuts above generally work in browser input fields on the originating OS. For HTML output (your firm website, blog posts, content management systems), use the HTML entity codes above — they render consistently across browsers regardless of font and encoding. Our team's perspective on legal symbols keyboard shortcuts comes from active client work, not theory. Our recent legal symbols keyboard shortcuts engagements informed every recommendation on this page.
**Section sign § conventions.** Used to refer to specific sections of statutes, regulations, and codes. Standard usage: § followed by a non-breaking space, then the section number — e.g., "Criminal Code § 320.14" or "Bankruptcy Code § 727". For multiple sections, "§§" — e.g., "Tax Code §§ 401-403". The Bluebook (US) and McGill Guide (Canada) both prescribe specific formatting; check your jurisdiction's citation standard.
**Paragraph mark ¶ conventions.** Used to refer to specific paragraphs within a pleading, contract, or judgment — e.g., "Statement of Claim ¶ 47" or "Smith v. Jones, 2024 ONSC 1234, ¶¶ 12-15". For multiple paragraphs, "¶¶". Paragraph marks are also used in proofreading marks within a document (different context).
**Copyright © and registered ® conventions.** © for copyright (placed before year and rights holder, e.g., "© 2026 Firm Name. All rights reserved."). ® for registered trademarks (placed after the trademarked name, superscript or inline depending on house style). ™ for unregistered or claimed trademarks. Misuse of ® for unregistered marks is a regulatory issue in some jurisdictions.
**Em dash — and en dash – conventions.** Em dashes (—) for parenthetical clauses ("the defendant — who was unrepresented at trial — appealed"). En dashes (–) for ranges ("ss. 320.14–320.16", "the 2020–2024 reporting period"). Hyphens (-) for compound modifiers ("good-faith effort"). The three are not interchangeable in legal writing; using a hyphen where an en dash is required is a typography error that signals carelessness.
**Section pilcrow ¶ vs section sign §.** Common confusion. Section sign § refers to numbered sections of statutes and codes. Pilcrow ¶ refers to numbered paragraphs of pleadings, judgments, and other documents. They are not interchangeable. Considering legal symbols keyboard shortcuts? Book a no-pressure strategy call to compare options. Want to discuss legal symbols keyboard shortcuts? Our discovery call is free and consultative.
If you write briefs, pleadings, or contracts daily, manual symbol entry is a productivity drag. The four highest-leverage automations:
**1. Word AutoCorrect (Windows + Mac Word).** Add your own short-form mappings: `\sec` → §, `\para` → ¶, `\ss` → §§, `\pp` → ¶¶, `\co` → ©, `\re` → ®, `\tm` → ™. Setup takes 5 minutes; saves 10-30 minutes per drafting session for high-volume writers.
**2. macOS Text Replacement (System Settings > Keyboard > Text Input > Text Replacements).** Same idea, system-wide on macOS — works in every app, not just Word. Best for Mac users.
**3. iOS / iPadOS Text Replacement (Settings > General > Keyboard > Text Replacement).** Sync via iCloud across all your Apple devices. Set up once on Mac; works on iPhone and iPad too.
**4. AutoHotkey (Windows).** For power users who want system-wide text expansion across all Windows apps — install AutoHotkey, define a script with your symbol mappings, run on startup. Free and powerful.
The 30 minutes spent setting up text expansion repays itself in the first week of legal drafting. Our recent legal symbols keyboard shortcuts engagements informed every recommendation on this page. Our team's perspective on legal symbols keyboard shortcuts comes from active client work, not theory.
Mac: Option + 6. Windows: Alt + 0167 on a numeric keypad. Microsoft Word any OS: type \section then space, or set up AutoCorrect (we recommend mapping \sec → §). Google Docs: Insert > Special characters > search 'section sign'. HTML: § or §.
Option + 7. The character is also called a 'pilcrow'. In Microsoft Word, you can also type \paragraph then space. Note: Ctrl+Shift+8 in Word toggles display of paragraph marks in your document — it doesn't insert one.
Yes — easiest options: (1) in Word, type \section then space, or set up an AutoCorrect entry (e.g., \sec → §); (2) Windows + . (period) opens the emoji and symbol picker (Windows 10 and 11); (3) install AutoHotkey and define your own keyboard shortcuts; (4) copy-paste from a reference document. Alt + 0167 requires an actual numeric keypad and won't work on most modern laptops.
Em dash (—) for parenthetical clauses. En dash (–) for ranges (dates, statute sections, page numbers). Hyphen (-) for compound modifiers and word breaks. Using the wrong one in legal writing is a typography error that signals carelessness; the three are not interchangeable.
Insert > Special characters opens a fast searchable picker — type 'section' and § appears, type 'pilcrow' for ¶, type 'copyright' for ©, etc. You can also enable Tools > Preferences > Substitutions to set up AutoCorrect-style replacements (e.g., \sec → §).
§ or the numeric § — both render as §. Use HTML entities rather than pasting the character directly to ensure consistent rendering across browsers, fonts, and content management systems. For modern UTF-8 encoded sites, pasting § directly also works in most cases, but entities are the safer choice for cross-platform consistency.