Ever wondered how popular sites add trademark ™, copyright ©, registered ®, or currency characters into their articles?
Recently one of our users asked us if there was an easy way to add special characters into WordPress posts and pages. These characters are not found on an average keyboard which makes it difficult for beginners to use them.
In this article, we will show you multiple ways to easily add special characters in WordPress posts. You can choose an approach that best suits your workflow.
Add Special Characters in WordPress Block Editor
WordPress block editor does not come with a special block or menu button in the paragraph formatting options.
However there are two ways you can use to add special characters in WordPress block editor. Let’s take a look at both of them, so you can decide which one is easier for you.
1. Add Special Characters using HTML Entity Code
When you write a blog post, WordPress automatically formats it into HTML. It is the markup language used by almost all websites.
HTML comes with a list of HTML entities. These are special codes that you can use inside HTML to display characters, symbols, arrows, and more.
This allows you to add special characters in HTML that are not normally found in keyboard layouts.
For example, if you wanted to add a trademark ™ symbol, then you can use the HTML entity code ™ to display it.
Similarly, if you wanted to add a copyright © symbol, then you can use © code in your article.
Notice how each HTML entity code begins with an ampersand sign and ends with a semicolon.
After you add an HTML entity code in the post editor, it will not immediately convert into the corresponding character. However, when you publish or preview your post, then you will see it automatically display the special character instead of the HTML entity code.
There is a whole range of characters available as HTML entities, including special characters, latin characters, mathematical symbols, currencies, scientific measurement symbols, and more.
For the complete reference, check out W3.org’s HTML character entity reference chart.
Method 2. Add Special Characters in WordPress using a Plugin
If you need to add special characters on a regular basis, then you would be better off using a plugin instead of checking the HTML entity reference chart each time.
First thing you need to do is install and activate the Insert Special Characters plugin. For more details, see our step by step guide on how to install a WordPress plugin.
Upon activation, simply edit the post or page where you want to add special characters. Inside the paragraph block, click on the drop-down arrow in the block toolbar and select the ‘Special characters’ option.
This will bring up a popup displaying special characters. Simply locate the special character you want to add and then click to insert it into the editor.
Adding Special Characters in Old WordPress Editor
If you are still using the old classic editor in WordPress, then here is how you can easily add special characters while writing blog posts.
First, you need to click on the kitchen sink button. This will expand the second row of formatting options where you should see the Special Characters button.
Clicking on the special characters button will bring up a pop-up window showing some commonly used special characters. It has currency symbols, trademark, copyright, registered signs, mathematical symbols and signs.
Remember, this method would only work if you are using the old editor in WYSIWYG mode.
If you are using it in the text mode, then you’ll either need to switch to the Visual editor or use the HTML entities method described above.
You simply need to just click on the symbol or character you want to use, and it will be added in your post.
We hope this article helped you learn how to add special characters in WordPress posts and pages. You may also want to see our complete guide on mastering the WordPress block editor.
If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.
Roderick Young says
This worked great for me, but at first, I clicked on the dropdown in the block editor, and didn’t see the Omega sign or “Special Characters”. The Omega was actually added to the toolbar just to the left of the Bold and Italic, right out in the open.
WPBeginner Support says
Thanks for sharing where it moved for you
Admin
Gina Leggio says
Actually, I kept playing around with your advice and it finally worked somehow. Thanks.
WPBeginner Support says
Glad our recommendations were helpful
Admin
Gina Leggio says
It didn’t seem to work for me. When I preview my page, it still shows ©. I tried highlighting it and then pushing the “keyboard input” button. What am I doing wrong?
WPBeginner Support says
You would want to ensure you are adding it as HTML and not in a paragraph block for the most common reason.
Admin
Gina Leggio says
Thanks for your response. That worked, but when I open a preview in a new tab, it didn’t show the symbol; it only showed ©. Please advise.
WPBeginner Support says
If that is the case, you would want to check with the support for your specific theme to ensure a setting in your theme is not overriding how it should work.
Jur Jurr says
Hey! Can i just copy the symbol from somewhere and past it on my website?
WPBeginner Support says
You can certainly try that but that is not guaranteed to work every time.
Admin
amir ebadi says
Thank you for this awesome article
WPBeginner Support says
You’re welcome, glad you liked our article
Admin
shafique says
nice to read this such great article. nicely written. very good information. Thank you
keep it up.
WPBeginner Support says
Thank you, glad you liked our content
Admin
Ms. Anika Tyrone says
This symbol which I’m seeking is: in a square box, in the square box is a almost complete circle, with a tiny line attached to the right side of the almost complete circle. This is found in the WordPress.com where the heading: “Subscription Management” and have 5 sites. The last one on the list is called DF Blog and prior to these words is a symbol as mentioned above. Now the others have a choice of weekly, /immediate “under delivery frequency”, but for DF Blog it’s blank and not given the chance to state my choice. Could you possibly help me in this matter? Monday, July 31, 2017 @ 1:18 pm. Waiting patiently for your response. Thank you for taking the time to read this email.
Mark Gandy says
I never have an issue adding the TM within a post, it’s the Blog and Post titles where they will not show up. Any suggestions?
Marissa says
So simple! Thank you for having this free, handy tool available for people like me…starting a professional site, learning step by step.
Bella says
How can you bring up special characters on the WordPress app?
JMunce says
Could you please do a tutorial on added a special Characters?
I can code unicode to my blog, but not everyone can view these. I can on my pc, but on my phone I don’t see them, for example.
It would be great to know how to display them to all site users.
Thanks, Justin
WPBeginner Staff says
Either the font or OS you are using does not support the rupee character.
Anchit Shethia says
I have already mailed to WP team to update support for Rupee character. What is the probability of it being updated?
alasdairpage says
On a Mac it’s easy, press ctrl+cmd+space for emoticons and special characters (scroll right for the special character options).
On Windows it isn’t easy, but it is possible using the Character Map tool. I’ve never used Windows 8 but in Windows 7 and below it’s usually in Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tools. Use it to copy/paste characters into any application.
Anchit Shethia says
Almost all special characters can be added in WP post but I want to add the official symbol of Rupee on my blog How can I add it? Even if I copy the symbol from Wikipedia and paste it, it won’t render. Help?