The Nigerian naira symbol is ₦, Unicode character U+20A6, named NAIRA SIGN. Copy it from the button below and paste it wherever you need it.
There is no standard Windows Alt code for it, so on Windows the fastest reliable route is the copy button or Word’s Alt+X trick. Everything you need to type it on any device is further down.
The naira sign marks Nigeria’s currency, the naira (NGN). The two horizontal strokes through the capital N distinguish it from a plain letter and echo the design of other struck-through currency marks like the euro and the won.
Naira symbol codes at a glance
One character, several codes. Which one you use depends on where you are typing. The Unicode value is written in hex and is not an Alt code, so do not type it into an Alt sequence.
| Symbol | Name | Unicode (hex) | Windows Alt code (decimal) | Word Alt+X (hex) | HTML |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ₦ | Naira sign | U+20A6 | No standard Windows Alt code; Word: 20A6 then Alt+X | 20A6 then Alt+X | ₦ |
There is no CP1252 or CP437 Alt code for this symbol and no named HTML entity. For the web, use the numeric reference ₦ (decimal) or ₦ (hex). In CSS content, the escape is \20A6.
How to type the naira symbol on any device
Windows
The naira sign has no classic Windows Alt code, so the four-digit the verified method shown in the table style trick does not apply here. 20A6 then Alt+X in Word works only inside applications that read decimal Unicode, and requires holding Alt while typing 8358 on the numeric keypad. It fails in most basic text fields.
The dependable routes are the emoji panel and Character Map. Press Win+. (Windows key plus period) to open the emoji and symbol picker, then search “naira.
” Or open Character Map, search NAIRA SIGN, and copy the glyph. Both work in any app.
Mac
Mac has no Alt codes and no Option shortcut for the naira sign. Open the Character Viewer with Ctrl+Cmd+Space, type “naira” in the search box, and double-click the glyph to insert it. You can drag it to your Favorites for faster access next time.
Microsoft Word
Word has the quickest keyboard method. Type 20A6, then press Alt+X, and the four characters flip into ₦.
This also works in Outlook and OneNote. It does not work in Excel, PowerPoint, or Google Docs.
You can also go to Insert → Symbol → More Symbols, then type 20A6 in the “Character code” box with “from: Unicode (hex)” selected. If you use the naira often, set up an AutoCorrect entry so a short trigger like “\naira” expands to the symbol.
Excel, PowerPoint and Google Sheets
In Excel and Google Sheets, the formula =UNICHAR(8358) returns ₦. In a Google Sheets cell, press F2 to enter edit mode before using any OS-level picker. Excel also has Insert → Symbol, but the formula is faster for filling many cells.
PowerPoint has no formula bar and no Alt+X. Use Insert → Symbol and enter 20A6 in the Unicode hex field, or just paste the glyph from the button above.
Google Docs
Go to Insert → Special characters, then type “naira” in the search box or draw the shape in the sketch pad to find it. Click the glyph to drop it into your document. Alt+X does nothing in Docs, so do not reach for it here.
iPhone and Android
Neither phone keyboard has the naira on a standard key. The reliable fix is a text replacement. On iPhone, go to Settings → General → Keyboard → Text Replacement, paste ₦ as the phrase, and set a shortcut like “naira.
” On Android, the path is Settings → System → Languages & input → Personal dictionary. After that, typing your shortcut inserts the symbol anywhere.
Chromebook
ChromeOS has no Alt codes. Use Ctrl+Shift+U, then type 20a6, then press Enter or Space. An underlined u appears while you type to confirm input mode.
Type only the hex digits, no U+ prefix. If a web field intercepts the shortcut, use the emoji picker at Launcher+Shift+Space or just paste.
Notion, Slack, Discord and Canva
None of these apps has a dedicated naira shortcut. Paste it from the copy button, which is the fastest route in every one.
For Slack, you can add it as a custom text expansion; for Notion and Discord, a saved snippet or your OS text replacement does the same job. In Canva, paste it directly into a text box and it keeps the font styling.
Where people use the naira sign
Price tags, invoices, and receipts across Nigerian commerce. Spreadsheets tracking budgets in NGN.
Bank statements, e-commerce checkouts, and fintech app labels. It also shows up in social bios, WhatsApp Business catalogues, and marketplace listings where sellers quote prices in naira.
In writing, the symbol usually sits directly before the amount with no space: ₦5,000. The three-letter code NGN is common in international banking and finance where the glyph might not render.
Symbols people confuse with the naira sign
The naira sign is a capital N with two horizontal strokes. A few characters look close enough to cause mistakes.
- Plain letter N — no strokes. People sometimes type “N5000,” which reads as text, not currency.
- ₩ Korean won (U+20A9) — a W with strokes, similar visual family but a different letter.
- Ħ / other struck letters — struck-through Latin letters that are not currency at all.
If you compare currency marks often, the Korean won symbol guide covers a very similar struck-letter design.
Troubleshooting
It shows as a box or blank. The font you are using has no glyph for U+20A6. Switch to a broad Unicode font like Arial, Segoe UI, Noto Sans, or DejaVu Sans, and the symbol appears.
20A6 then Alt+X in Word did nothing. That decimal code only works in Unicode-aware apps and needs a numeric keypad. On a laptop without one, use the emoji panel (Win+.
) or paste instead. See the copy-and-paste symbol tool for a keypad-free option.
Alt+X left “20A6” on screen. That trick is Word-only. In Excel, PowerPoint, or Google Docs, use the method listed for that app above.
Related guides
Working through other currency marks? The world currency symbols list gathers every glyph with its codes, and the currency symbols category collects the individual guides.
- How to Type the Russian Ruble Symbol (₽) Fast
- Turkish Lira Symbol (₺): How to Type It on Keyboard
- Cent Symbol (¢): How to Type It on Keyboard
Frequently asked questions
What is the Alt code for the naira symbol?
There is no standard Windows Alt code for ₦. 20A6 then Alt+X in Word works only in apps that read decimal Unicode and needs a numeric keypad.
For reliable typing, use Word’s Alt+X (type 20A6, press Alt+X), the emoji panel Win+. or the copy button on this page.
Why does the naira sign show as a box on some devices?
The current font lacks a glyph for U+20A6. The character is correct; only the display fails. Switch to a font with wide Unicode coverage such as Arial, Segoe UI, or Noto Sans, and it renders properly.
Does the naira symbol work in a username or bio?
Most social platforms accept it because it is a standard Unicode character. Paste ₦ directly into your bio. Some strict username fields reject non-letter characters, so test it before relying on it for a handle.
How do I type the naira symbol on a Chromebook?
Press Ctrl+Shift+U, type 20a6, then press Enter or Space. An underlined u confirms input mode. If a web field blocks the shortcut, use the emoji picker at Launcher+Shift+Space or paste the glyph.
What is the HTML code for the naira sign?
There is no named entity. Use the numeric reference: ₦ in decimal or ₦ in hex. In CSS content values, the escape is \20A6.
How do I add the naira symbol in Excel or Google Sheets?
Use the formula =UNICHAR(8358) in either app. In Google Sheets, press F2 first to enter edit mode if you want to use an OS picker instead. Excel also offers Insert → Symbol with the hex code 20A6.