& Ampersand
Also called: and sign, and symbol. The ampersand means "and." You see it in names of companies and stories, like "Ava & the Rabbit."
How to type &
Hold Shift with your left pinky, then press the 7 key with your right pointer finger.
Meaning and fun facts
The & was once the 27th letter of the English alphabet! Kids reciting the ABCs ended with "and per se and," which slurred into "ampersand."
Common uses
- Names: Mac & Cheese
- Short notes: you & me
- Code: && means "and"
Fun example: Salt & pepper go together.
Typing tip
The ampersand & means "and." It began as the Latin word et written in one swoop. In school writing, spell out "and"; save & for names like Ben & Jerry.
& at a glance
| Keyboard (Windows, Mac, Chromebook) | Shift + 7 |
|---|---|
| Phone or tablet | On an iPhone, tap the 123 key and it is right there. On Android (Gboard), tap ?123. |
| Windows Alt code | Alt + 38 (hold Alt, type the number on the number pad) |
| Unicode | U+0026 |
| HTML code | & |
Quick practice drill
Type the examples below. The keyboard shows which finger and Shift key to use.
Want more? Practice this reach in Lesson 26: Numbers 6 to 0, or warm up with typing practice and Falling Words.
Related symbols
See all symbols in Keyboard Characters and Meanings.
FAQ
What is the & symbol called?
& is called the ampersand. It is also called and sign, and symbol.
How do you type ampersand on a keyboard?
Hold Shift with your left pinky, then press the 7 key with your right pointer finger.
What does & mean?
The ampersand means "and." You see it in names of companies and stories, like "Ava & the Rabbit."