{ Open Curly Brace
Also called: left brace, curly bracket, squiggly bracket. Curly braces group things together. In math they hold a set; in code they hold blocks of instructions.
How to type {
Hold Shift with your left pinky, then press the [ key with your right pinky.
Meaning and fun facts
Coders sometimes call them "squiggly brackets" or "mustaches" because they look like a curly mustache on its side.
Common uses
- Sets in math: {1, 2, 3}
- Code blocks in JavaScript and C
- Data files (JSON)
Fun example: {1, 2, 3}
Typing tip
The curly brace is Shift + the [ key. Kids rarely need it for school writing, but coders use { and } all the time to group lines of code.
{ at a glance
| Keyboard (Windows, Mac, Chromebook) | Shift + [ |
|---|---|
| Phone or tablet | On an iPhone, tap 123 and then #+= to see it. On Android (Gboard), tap ?123 and then =\< if it is not on the first page. |
| Windows Alt code | Alt + 123 (hold Alt, type the number on the number pad) |
| Unicode | U+007B |
| 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 12: Pinky Power: Q and P, 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 open curly brace. It is also called left brace, curly bracket, squiggly bracket.
How do you type open curly brace on a keyboard?
Hold Shift with your left pinky, then press the [ key with your right pinky.
What does { mean?
Curly braces group things together. In math they hold a set; in code they hold blocks of instructions.