Asterisk Symbol (*) — Meaning, How to Type & Copy

Copy the Symbol

Both forms of the symbol ready to copy:

* — Asterisk (U+002A) — Copy this: *

⁎ — Low Asterisk (U+204E) — Copy this: ⁎

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What Does the Asterisk Symbol Mean?

The asterisk (*) is one of the most versatile symbols in the English language. Its name comes from the Greek word "asteriskos," meaning "little star."

It has many meanings depending on context:

In writing: Marks footnotes, references, or additional information at the bottom of a page. Also used to censor letters in profanity (e.g., "s***").

In math: Represents multiplication (e.g., 3 * 4 = 12). In advanced math, it can denote a convolution operation or a dual space.

In computing: Used as a wildcard character that matches any string of characters. In programming, it represents pointers (C/C++), multiplication, or the unpacking operator (Python).

In sports: An asterisk next to a record or statistic often indicates it was achieved under unusual or controversial circumstances.

In social media: Used for emphasis or action descriptions in text, like *sigh* or *laughs*.

The asterisk dates back to medieval European typography, where it was used as a reference mark in manuscripts. It became a standard typewriter key in the 19th century.

How to Type on Windows

The asterisk is right on your keyboard:

Keyboard Shortcut: Press Shift + 8 on the main keyboard.

Alt Code: Hold Alt and type 42 on the numeric keypad.

Character Map: Open Character Map and search for "asterisk" if you need variants like ⁎ or ✱.

On most Windows layouts, the * key is shared with the 8 key on the top row of the keyboard.

How to Type on Mac

Same as Windows — it is on your keyboard already:

Keyboard Shortcut: Press Shift + 8.

Character Viewer: Press Cmd + Ctrl + Space to open the Character Viewer. Search for "asterisk" to find decorative variants like ✱ ✲ ✳ ✴.

How to Type on iPhone & Android

The asterisk is built into all mobile keyboards:

iPhone: Tap the "123" key to switch to the number/symbol keyboard. The * key is right there on the first symbol row.

Android: Tap "?123" then look for the * symbol. On most keyboards, it is on the first symbol page.

Both platforms have * readily accessible — no special tricks needed.

Uses of the Symbol

The asterisk is everywhere. Here are the most common uses:

Footnotes: The classic use. An asterisk in text points you to a note at the bottom of the page with additional information.

Multiplication: In plain text and programming, * replaces the multiplication sign. Write "5 * 3" instead of "5 × 3."

Wildcard Search: In search engines and file systems, * stands for "anything." Searching "photo*" finds "photo," "photos," "photography," and so on.

Censorship: Used to partially mask profanity in text: f***, s***, b****.

Programming: Multiplication operator, pointer declaration (C/C++), unpacking/spread (Python/JavaScript), glob patterns, and Markdown for bold/italic formatting.

Sports Records: A "steroid asterisk" or "asterisk record" means a record is considered tainted by controversy.

Rating Systems: Star ratings are often displayed with asterisks: **** for four stars.

Text Formatting: In Markdown and many chat apps, wrapping text in asterisks makes it *italic* or **bold**.

For such a simple symbol, the asterisk does an incredible amount of heavy lifting across writing, math, and technology.