Copy _, the underscore symbol, or type it with Shift and the hyphen key; wide, double and wavy forms follow.
Underscore Symbol
_Low lineU+005FReady to copy
19 underscores and low marks. Tap any value to copy it.
19 underscores and low marks. A character and its name both copy the character. A code copies the code.
Character
Name
Code point
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U+005F. The underscore; low line is its name in Unicode. On the U.S. layout it is Shift and the hyphen key. Alt+95 types it, its number in ASCII, and a web page can write it _.
U+FF3F. The underscore at the full width of a Chinese or Japanese character: the longest single one.
U+2017. Two low lines, one under the other, in one character.
Made of four underscores. Typed side by side they join into one line, the usual way to leave a blank to be filled in by hand.
The letter a carrying U+0332, a mark that underscores whatever comes before it.
Hyphen, underscore, hyphen: a text face with shut eyes and a flat mouth.
U+FE4D. An underscore cut into short dashes: a dotted rule in one character.
U+FE4E. A low line of long and short strokes by turns; centreline low line is its Unicode name.
U+FE4F. An underscore that ripples: one wave-shaped stroke along the baseline.
U+FE33. The underscore stood upright for East Asian text set in columns: it runs down the side.
U+FE34. The wavy one stood upright in the same way.
The letter a carrying U+0333, which rules two strokes beneath it.
Two carets for eyes and an underscore for the mouth: a smiling text face.
Lowercase o twice, for round eyes, and an underscore between them.
Capital T twice: tears running down from each eye, with the underscore for a mouth.
A greater-than and a less-than sign as eyes squeezed shut, with an underscore between.
U+203F. A low curve that ties two letters together. Unicode's other name for it: Greek enotikon.
U+2054. The undertie flipped over, a low arch. In Unicode since version 4.0 (2003).
U+02CD. A short stroke at the foot of the line: a phonetic sign for a low, level tone, and no underscore.
The underscore symbol is _, a short line on the baseline that Unicode names low line, U+005F. On the U.S. keyboard it is Shift and the hyphen key, and its Alt code is 95, its number in ASCII.
Read the full guide
Where it is on the keyboard
On the U.S. layout the underscore shares a key with the hyphen, right of the zero: hold Shift and press it. Alt+95 on a number pad types the same character, and a web page can write it _ or _.
What the character is for
It first appeared on typewriters, to underline a word already typed. Today it marks word boundaries where spaces are not allowed, as in file names and email addresses. A long underscore is several in a row, which join into one line; ＿ is the widest single one.
Underscore emoticons use it as a mouth: -_- is hyphen, underscore, hyphen.
In math, a plus over a line is ±, and a C or side U over one is ⊆.
The underscore joined ASCII by 1967, taking the place of a left arrow.
Questions and answers
What is an underscore symbol?
A short line on the baseline, _, or a low line, or a low dash. It is a character of its own, U+005F, and not the same thing as underlining, which draws a line under other text.
Where is the underscore symbol on the keyboard?
On the U.S. layout it is on the hyphen key, to the right of the zero. Hold Shift and press that key. The same key without Shift types a hyphen.
What is the Alt key code for an underscore?
Alt+95. Hold Alt, type 95 on the number pad and let go. 95 is the number of the character in ASCII and in the PC code tables. A long underscore has no Alt code of its own: it is several in a row.
What is the Alt code for an inverted underscore?
There is none in either Alt code table. The line at the top of the row is the overline, ‾, U+203E, a separate character that a web page can write ‾.
How do I copy and paste a long underscore?
Copy the row of four, ____, or the wide ＿, and paste it. Underscores side by side join into one unbroken line, so a line of any length is the same character repeated.
All 19 underscores and low marks
Start here 6
‗Double low lineU+2017. Two low lines, one under the other, in one character.
-_-Flat faceHyphen, underscore, hyphen: a text face with shut eyes and a flat mouth.
____Four underscores in a rowMade of four underscores. Typed side by side they join into one line, the usual way to leave a blank to be filled in by hand.
＿Fullwidth low lineU+FF3F. The underscore at the full width of a Chinese or Japanese character: the longest single one.
_Low lineU+005F. The underscore; low line is its name in Unicode. On the U.S. layout it is Shift and the hyphen key. Alt+95 types it, its number in ASCII, and a web page can write it _.
a̲Underlined a, with the combining low lineThe letter a carrying U+0332, a mark that underscores whatever comes before it.
Show all 19 underscores and low marks (13 more)
Low lines 6
﹎Centreline low lineU+FE4E. A low line of long and short strokes by turns; centreline low line is its Unicode name.
﹍Dashed low lineU+FE4D. An underscore cut into short dashes: a dotted rule in one character.
a̳Double underlined aThe letter a carrying U+0333, which rules two strokes beneath it.
︳Presentation form for vertical low lineU+FE33. The underscore stood upright for East Asian text set in columns: it runs down the side.
︴Presentation form for vertical wavy low lineU+FE34. The wavy one stood upright in the same way.
﹏Wavy low lineU+FE4F. An underscore that ripples: one wave-shaped stroke along the baseline.
Text faces with an underscore 4
T_TCrying faceCapital T twice: tears running down from each eye, with the underscore for a mouth.
^_^Smiling faceTwo carets for eyes and an underscore for the mouth: a smiling text face.
o_oStaring faceLowercase o twice, for round eyes, and an underscore between them.
>_<Wincing faceA greater-than and a less-than sign as eyes squeezed shut, with an underscore between.
Ties and low marks 3
⁔Inverted undertieU+2054. The undertie flipped over, a low arch. In Unicode since version 4.0 (2003).
ˍModifier letter low macronU+02CD. A short stroke at the foot of the line: a phonetic sign for a low, level tone, and no underscore.
‿UndertieU+203F. A low curve that ties two letters together. Unicode's other name for it: Greek enotikon.