What the © symbol communicates
The copyright symbol introduces a notice that tells readers who is claiming copyright and often when the work was first published. A familiar format is:
© 2026 Example Studio
The U.S. Copyright Office describes the conventional notice as the symbol or word “Copyright,” the year of first publication, and the owner’s name. For many modern U.S. works, notice is optional, but it can still provide useful public information and legal benefits.
Copyright Symbol Copy Paste: Codes & Shortcuts
- Unicode
U+00A9- HTML
©©- CSS
\00A9- Windows
- Alt + 0169 (numeric keypad)
- Mac
- Option + G (ABC layout)
- iPhone
- Find it on the symbols keyboard or copy it
- Android
- Find it in Symbols or copy it
How to type ©
Windows
Hold Alt, type 0169 on the numeric keypad, then release Alt. A laptop without a keypad can use Character Map or copy the symbol.
Mac
Press Option + G on the standard ABC keyboard layout.
iPhone and Android
Check the second symbols screen in your keyboard. If © is not shown, copy it here and optionally save it as a text shortcut for future notices.
Use © in a website footer
Write the actual owner name rather than assuming the domain name is the legal owner. A current-year notice can be generated at build time, but keep the first-publication year when that fact matters to your notice. Avoid claiming ownership of third-party material merely because it appears on the same page.
Adding © does not decide whether material qualifies for copyright or who owns it. It is a notice, not a substitute for authorship, ownership, registration, licensing, or jurisdiction-specific advice.
Frequently asked questions
How do I write a basic copyright notice?
A conventional notice includes ©, the year of first publication, and the copyright owner’s name, such as © 2026 Example Studio. Requirements and effects depend on the work and jurisdiction.
Do I need to register before using ©?
The U.S. Copyright Office says using a copyright notice does not require advance permission or registration. Registration and notice are different concepts.
What is the Alt code for ©?
On Windows, hold Alt and type 0169 on the numeric keypad. On a standard Mac ABC layout, press Option + G.
What is the HTML code for ©?
Use ©, ©, or the literal © character in a UTF-8 document. Its Unicode value is U+00A9.
Is © the same as a trademark symbol?
No. Copyright concerns original works of authorship, while trademarks identify the source of goods or services. A brand can involve both rights, but the symbols communicate different claims.