| Vertical Bar
Also called: pipe, bar, stick. The vertical bar is a straight up-and-down line. Coders call it "pipe" and use it to connect commands or mean "or."
How to type |
Hold Shift with your left pinky, then press the \ key with your right pinky.
Meaning and fun facts
On some keyboards the | has a little gap in the middle, which is why it is sometimes called the "broken bar."
Common uses
- Coding: || means "or"
- Separators in titles: Home | TypeRockets
- Math: absolute value |-3| = 3
Fun example: Home | Lessons | Games
Typing tip
The vertical bar is Shift + backslash. It is sometimes called a pipe. On some keyboards the key shows a broken bar, but it types the same straight line.
| 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 + 124 (hold Alt, type the number on the number pad) |
| Unicode | U+007C |
| 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 vertical bar. It is also called pipe, bar, stick.
How do you type vertical bar on a keyboard?
Hold Shift with your left pinky, then press the \ key with your right pinky.
What does | mean?
The vertical bar is a straight up-and-down line. Coders call it "pipe" and use it to connect commands or mean "or."