Numero Sign Symbol (№): 8+ Powerful Meanings, Uses, Facts & Copy and Paste

Meta title: Numero Sign Symbol (№): Meaning, Alt Code, Unicode & Copy and Paste
Meta description: Learn the numero sign symbol meaning, how to type № on Windows, Mac and phones, its Unicode and ASCII facts, plus examples and copy and paste options.
URL slug: /numero-sign-symbol

Research note: I reviewed the current top results for this topic, including Wikipedia’s numero sign page, Office Watch, Unicode discussion archives, and several symbol and shortcode sites. Most of them follow the same pattern: a short definition, a copy box, a Unicode and Alt code table, steps for Word, keyboard layout notes, and a short FAQ. This article follows that structure and then adds more depth on regional use, fonts, emoji alternatives, and sentence examples. All wording is original.

The numero sign symbol (№) is a typographic shortcut for the word “number.” It combines a capital N with a small letter o, and it is placed before a figure, like № 5 or № 120.

You have probably seen it on Russian street signs, old invoices, hotel room doors, and magazine issue labels. It looks neat, it saves space, and it is easy to read.

The catch is that most keyboards do not have a numero key. This guide explains what the symbol means, where it is used, and how to type it on any device. You will also find a copy box, code tables, font tips, and real examples of the numero sign in a sentence.

Quick Copy Box: Numero Sign Symbol

Select and copy the symbol you need:

№ Nº No. # ℕ

The first one, №, is the true numero sign. The others are common alternatives or look alikes.

Numero Sign Symbol Meaning

The numero sign means “number.” It is a short way to label something with a number, such as a page, house, room, ticket, or issue.

The word “numero” comes from Latin. It is the ablative form of numerus, which means “number.” In many Romance languages, the sign is read as a short form of the local word for number.

Simple Definition

№ = number.

So № 7 means “number 7.” It can also mean “item 7,” “issue 7,” or “room 7,” depending on context.

Quick Facts About the Numero Sign

• It is a single character, not two separate letters.
• It is written as a capital N followed by a small, often raised, letter o.
• It is encoded in Unicode as U+2116.
• It is very common in Russia, Bulgaria, and other post Soviet countries.
• It is rare in everyday English writing, where “No.” and “#” are more common.
• It is not an emoji.

Read Also this Blog: Therefore Sign Symbol

8+ Powerful Meanings and Uses of the Numero Sign

The symbol does more than one job. Here are the most common ways people use it.

1. Marking a number: № 15 means number 15.
2. Ordinal position: Shows rank or order, like № 1 in sales.
3. House or apartment number: Common on Russian and Bulgarian addresses.
4. Invoice and order numbers: № 20458 on a bill or receipt.
5. Issue or edition numbers: Magazines, journals, and newsletters.
6. Legal and official documents: Decrees, contracts, and certificates use № to label each item.
7. Rooms, seats, and tickets: Hotels, trains, and theaters.
8. Numbered lists and headings: Useful for chapters and sections.
9. Design and style: Posters and logos use № for a classic, vintage look.
10. Product and part codes: Technical papers and catalogs.

That makes ten uses, and each one comes down to the same idea: a number tied to a thing.

Numero Sign Symbol Text

When people search for “numero sign symbol text,” they want the plain text version to type or paste into a message, form, or document.

The text version is: №

Because it is a standard Unicode character, it shows up correctly in most browsers, email apps, and word processors. If you see a box or a question mark, your font may not support it. Switch to a font like Arial, Times New Roman, Calibri, or Segoe UI.

Text Alternatives

If you cannot insert the real symbol, you can write one of these instead:

Alternative	How It Looks	Where It Is Common
No.	No. 5	English
no.	no. 5	Lowercase English
Nº	Nº 5	Spanish, Portuguese, Italian
N°	N° 5	French
Nr.	Nr. 5	German, Polish, Lithuanian
#	#5	American English

All of these mean “number.” The numero sign is simply the compact, single character version.

Numero Sign Symbol Copy and Paste

Copy and paste is the fastest way. There is nothing to memorize.

How to Copy and Paste №?

1. Highlight the symbol: №
2. Press Ctrl + C on Windows or Command + C on Mac.
3. Click where you want it.
4. Press Ctrl + V or Command + V.

On a phone, press and hold the symbol, tap Copy, then press and hold in your text box and tap Paste.

Tip for Frequent Use

Set up a text shortcut so you never have to search again.

• iPhone: Settings, General, Keyboard, Text Replacement. Add № with a short tag like “numsign.”
• Android (Gboard): Settings, System, Languages and input, Personal dictionary. Add № with a shortcut.
• Windows or Mac Word: Use AutoCorrect (steps below).

Numero Sign Symbol on Keyboard

A standard English keyboard has no numero key. You have a few options.

Keyboard Shortcuts by Device

Device	Method	Result
Windows (Word)	Type 2116, then press Alt + X	№
Windows (numpad)	Hold Alt, type 8470	№ (works in some apps)
Windows (Russian layout)	Shift + 3	№
Windows (Bulgarian layouts)	Shift + 0 or Shift + 3	№
Mac	Control + Command + Space, search “numero”	№
Linux	Ctrl + Shift + U, type 2116, press Enter	№
iPhone and Android	Copy and paste or text shortcut	№
Google Docs	Insert, Special characters, search “numero”	№

The Easy Way: Russian or Bulgarian Layout

If you add a Russian keyboard layout to your computer, the numero sign sits on the same key where English layouts have the number sign (#). Press Shift + 3. Switch back to English when you finish. This is a handy trick if you type the symbol often.

Which Countries Have It on the Keyboard?

• Russia and Ukraine: Yes, in standard layouts.
• Bulgaria: Yes, in the main layouts.
• France (AZERTY): No.
• Spain (Iberian): No.
• United States and United Kingdom: No.

Troubleshooting Alt Codes

Alt codes only work on Windows with a real numeric keypad and Num Lock on. The number row at the top will not work. Some apps ignore Alt codes entirely. If you see nothing or the wrong character, use the Word Unicode method, the Insert Symbol menu, or copy and paste.

Numero Sign Symbol in Word and Excel

Word Method 1: Unicode Plus Alt + X

1. Type 2116.
2. Press Alt + X.
3. The number turns into №.

Word Method 2: Insert Symbol

1. Go to Insert, then Symbol, then More Symbols.
2. Choose the subset Letterlike Symbols.
3. Select № and click Insert.

Word Method 3: AutoCorrect

1. Insert № once using any method above.
2. Select it, then go to File, Options, Proofing, AutoCorrect Options.
3. In the Replace box, type a short tag like \num.
4. Click Add.

Now every time you type your tag, Word swaps in the symbol.

Excel Method

• Use Insert, then Symbol, then pick № from Letterlike Symbols.
• Or type =UNICHAR(8470) in a cell.
• To join it with a number, use =UNICHAR(8470)&" "&A1. If A1 holds 25, the cell shows № 25.

Numero Sign Symbol Character Codes

Every character has a code. Here are the codes for the numero sign.

Property	Value
Symbol	№
Name	Numero Sign
Unicode	U+2116
Decimal	8470
Hexadecimal	2116
HTML (named)	№
HTML (decimal)	№
HTML (hex)	№
CSS	\2116
UTF-8 bytes	E2 84 96
Word shortcut	2116, then Alt + X
Unicode block	Letterlike Symbols

Using It on a Website

If you run a blog or website, you can insert № in two easy ways:

1. Write № in your HTML.
2. Write № in your HTML.

Make sure your page uses UTF-8 encoding so the symbol appears correctly for every visitor.

Numero Sign Symbol ASCII Code

The numero sign has no ASCII code. Standard ASCII covers only 128 characters, and № is not one of them. It exists only in Unicode.

That is why older systems and plain text tools sometimes fail to show it. They simply do not know the character.

Related ASCII and Extended Codes

You can build a rough numero sign from separate characters, and these have codes of their own:

Character	Name	Code
N	Capital N	ASCII 78
o	Small o	ASCII 111
#	Number sign	ASCII 35
.	Period	ASCII 46
º	Masculine ordinal indicator	Alt + 0186
°	Degree sign	Alt + 0176

A Handy Fact About Old Data

In older systems, the numero sign was often stored as a capital N followed by a degree sign (°). If you open an old file and see N° where you expected №, that is why. It is the same idea, saved in a different way.

Numero Sign Symbol Font

The look of № changes from font to font. Some fonts show the o raised and underlined. Others show it as a small circle. A few use a plain lowercase o.

Fonts That Support the Numero Sign

Most fonts with Cyrillic support include the symbol. These are safe choices:

• Arial
• Times New Roman
• Calibri
• Cambria
• Segoe UI
• Tahoma
• Verdana
• Roboto
• Open Sans
• Noto Sans and Noto Serif
• DejaVu Sans

Two Common Glyph Styles

Style	Look	Used In
Cyrillic style	N with a raised o, often with a small underline	Russia, Bulgaria, Ukraine
Asian style	N with a circled or bold o	Japanese and Chinese text

Tips for Designers

• Test your font before printing or publishing.
• If the symbol turns into a box, pick a font that includes Cyrillic characters.
• Embed fonts when saving PDFs.
• In web design, use a font stack with a fallback like Arial, sans-serif.

Numero Sign Symbol Emoji

There is no official numero sign emoji. The symbol is a text character, so you will not find it in your phone’s emoji keyboard.

But you can still use it in captions, bios, and chats by pasting it. It works like an emoji in most apps.

Emoji Alternatives for “Number”

Emoji	Name	Use
#️⃣	Keycap number sign	Hashtags and numbering
🔢	Input numbers	Digits and counting
1️⃣	Keycap one	Numbered lists
🔟	Keycap ten	Lists up to ten

If you need the classic look, use № in plain text. If you want something colorful, use one of the emoji above.

Numero Sign Symbol in a Sentence

Here are clear examples of how to use № in everyday writing.

10 Example Sentences

1. Please check invoice № 20458 before sending payment.
2. The hotel gave us room № 312.
3. She lives at house № 14 on Park Street.
4. This is issue № 9 of our monthly magazine.
5. Our team is ranked № 1 in the league.
6. Read chapter № 4 before class tomorrow.
7. Ticket № 0075 won the prize.
8. The decree № 118 was signed last week.
9. Platform № 3 is for the Moscow train.
10. Document № 56 is attached to this email.

Writing Rules

• Put a space between № and the figure: № 5.
• Do not add a period after the symbol.
• Do not write “the № of people.” The symbol is only for numbering a specific item, not for saying “the number of.”
• Do not put № before a word. It belongs before a digit.

Numero Sign vs Number Sign vs No.

These three are easy to mix up. Here is how they differ.

Feature	Numero Sign №	Number Sign #	Abbreviation No.
Looks like	N plus raised o	A hash or pound sign	Letters N and o with a dot
Unicode	U+2116	U+0023	Normal letters
On a US keyboard	No	Yes (Shift + 3)	Yes
Typical meaning	Number	Number, tag, or pound	Number
Common in	Russia, Bulgaria	United States	UK, Canada, global English
Example	№ 5	#5	No. 5

Key Differences in Plain Words

• № is a ligature, a joined letter shape.
• # is also called a hash, pound sign, or octothorpe.
• No. is a plain abbreviation made of two letters.

Number Signs Around the World

Different languages use different short forms for “number.”

Language	Common Short Form
English	No. or #
Russian	№
Bulgarian	№
French	n°
Spanish	n.º or N.º
Portuguese	n.º
Italian	n. or n°
German	Nr.
Polish	nr

Why Use the Numero Sign?

You do not have to use it, but there are good reasons.

• Saves space: One character instead of three.
• Looks professional: It has a classic, formal feel.
• Avoids confusion: In some regions, # looks like a hashtag.
• Matches local style: Required in many Russian and Bulgarian documents.
• Works well in headings: Titles like “№ 5” look clean.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Typing N and o separately. It looks fine, but it is not the true symbol and may break in searches.
2. Using the degree sign instead. N° is not the same as №.
3. Using it in the wrong region. In US English, “No.” or “#” is more natural.
4. Skipping the space. Write № 5, not №5, in formal text.
5. Using a font without support. The symbol may turn into a box.
6. Using № for counting words. It labels items, not totals.

SEO and Web Tips for the Numero Sign Symbol

If you publish content online, the numero sign has a few special notes.

• Search behavior: Many users search with “No.” or “#” rather than №. Use both in your content so you cover every search.
• URLs: Avoid placing № in a web address. Use a plain word like “number” or “no” instead.
• Titles and meta tags: The symbol works in titles, but test how it looks in search results.
• File names: Use “no” or “num” to prevent upload errors.
• Encoding: Always set your page to UTF-8.
• Accessibility: Screen readers usually read № as “numero” or “number.” If you want certainty, write “Number 5” in important text.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Numero Sign Symbol

What is the numero sign symbol?

It is №, a joined capital N and small o that stands for the word “number.”

What does numero sign symbol mean?

It means “number.” For example, № 7 means number 7.

How do I type the numero sign symboln on a keyboard?

In Word, type 2116 and press Alt + X. On a Russian keyboard layout, press Shift + 3.

What is the Alt code for the numero sign symbol?

Hold Alt and type 8470 on the numeric keypad. It works in some Windows apps only.

What is the Unicode for the numero sign symbol?

The Unicode is U+2116. The HTML code is № or №.

What is the ASCII code for the numero sign symbol?

There is none. Standard ASCII does not include it.

How do I type the numero sign symbol on a Mac?

Press Control + Command + Space to open the Character Viewer and search “numero.”

Is the numero sign symbol an emoji?

No. It is a text symbol, but you can copy and paste it like an emoji.

What is the difference between numero sign symbol and #?

№ is the numero sign used in many countries, while # is the hash or pound sign common in American English.

Is numero sign symbol the same as No.?

They mean the same thing. № is a single character, and No. is two letters with a period.

Which fonts support the numero sign symbol?

Most fonts with Cyrillic support do, including Arial, Times New Roman, Calibri, and Segoe UI.

How do I type the numero sign symbol in Excel?

Use Insert, Symbol, or type =UNICHAR(8470) in a cell.

Why does numero sign symbol show as a box?

Your font does not include it. Switch to Arial, Calibri, or another font with wide character support.

Where is the numero sign symbol most used?

It is very common in Russia, Bulgaria, and other post Soviet countries.

Can I use numero sign symbol in a sentence?

Yes. Put it before a digit, like “Please open page № 12.”

Conclusion

The numero sign symbol (№) is a compact, classic way to write “number.” It appears on addresses, invoices, magazines, and official papers, especially in Russia and Bulgaria. Once you know the shortcuts, using it is easy.

Remember the main points. The Unicode is U+2116, the Word shortcut is 2116 followed by Alt + X, and there is no ASCII code. If you want the quickest route, copy it from this page or switch to a Russian keyboard layout and press Shift + 3. Use № when you want a neat, formal look, and use “No.” or “#” when your readers expect plain English. Bookmark this guide so the symbol is always one click away.