The fastest way to add a check mark

Open your document in Microsoft Word and place your cursor where you want the check mark. Go to the Insert tab at the top, then click Symbol (on the right side of the ribbon). A dropdown menu appears — click More Symbols at the bottom. In the window that opens, change the font to Wingdings using the dropdown at the top left. Scroll down until you see a check mark (it looks like a ✓), click it, then click Insert. Close the window and the check mark stays in your document.

This method works the same way in Word for Windows and Word for Mac. The check mark appears in the font you selected — usually Wingdings — so if you change the document font later, the check mark may look different. You can resize it by selecting it and dragging the corner handle, or change its color by right-clicking and choosing Font Color.

Key Takeaways

  • The Insert > Symbol > Wingdings path is the standard way to add a check mark and takes about 30 seconds once you know where to look.
  • Check marks from the Symbol menu stay as characters, so you can copy, paste, and format them like any other text.
  • If you use check marks often, you can assign a keyboard shortcut to skip the menu steps entirely.
  • Checkbox form fields let readers click to mark boxes themselves, which is useful for templates and shared documents.

Using the keyboard shortcut for faster insertion

If you insert check marks regularly, creating a keyboard shortcut saves time. After you insert a check mark using the Symbol menu, select it in your document. Go to Insert > Symbol > More Symbols again. At the bottom of the window, click Shortcut Key. A new window opens asking you to press the key combination you want — try something like Ctrl+Shift+C (make sure it is not already assigned to something else). Click Assign, then Close.

Now whenever you press that key combination, Word inserts the check mark without opening any menu. The shortcut stays in that document only unless you save it to your default template, which makes it available in all new documents. To do that, save the document as a template (File > Save As > Word Template) and set it as your default template in Word settings.

Inserting checkboxes that readers can click

If you are creating a form or checklist that other people will fill out, use a checkbox field instead of a static check mark. These are interactive — readers can click the box to mark it checked or unchecked. Go to Developer tab (if you do not see it, go to File > Options > Customize Ribbon and check the Developer box). Click Checkbox Content Control in the ribbon. A clickable box appears in your document.

You can customize how the checkbox looks by right-clicking it and selecting Properties. Change the checked and unchecked symbols, adjust the size, or lock the control so readers cannot delete it. This approach works well for templates, surveys, and any document where you want readers to interact with the boxes rather than just see them.

Copying and pasting check marks from other sources

If you already have a check mark in another document or website, you can copy it directly into Word. Select the check mark, press Ctrl+C (or Cmd+C on Mac), then click in your Word document and press Ctrl+V. This is faster than using the Symbol menu if you only need one or two marks and already have a source nearby.

The pasted check mark inherits the formatting of the text around it — font, size, and color. If it looks wrong, select it and adjust the font back to Wingdings or change the size to match your text. This method also works with check marks from character maps, emoji pickers, or even copied from web pages, though the appearance may vary depending on the source.

Troubleshooting check marks that look wrong

If your check mark appears as a box, a question mark, or looks misaligned, the font is usually the problem. Select the check mark and look at the font dropdown in the toolbar — if it says something other than Wingdings, change it back to Wingdings. If the mark is too small or too large compared to your text, select it and adjust the font size using the size dropdown next to the font name.

On older versions of Word or in some regional settings, Wingdings may not contain the check mark you expect. Try the font Segoe UI Symbol instead, which has a wider range of symbols and works across Windows and Mac. If the check mark still does not appear correctly, delete it and insert a new one using the Symbol menu, making sure Wingdings is selected before you click Insert.

Using check marks in tables and lists

Check marks work the same way in tables and bulleted lists as they do in regular text. Click in the cell or list item where you want the mark, then use Insert > Symbol > Wingdings as usual. In a table, you can align the check mark to the left, center, or right by selecting it and using the alignment buttons in the Home tab.

For a checklist format, type your list items first, then go back and insert a check mark at the start of each completed item. Alternatively, create a two-column table with checkboxes in the left column and task descriptions in the right column — this gives you a clean, organized look that works well for to-do lists and project tracking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use an emoji check mark instead of the Symbol menu?

Yes. On Windows, press Windows key + period to open the emoji picker, search for "check mark", and click the one you want. On Mac, press Ctrl+Cmd+Space. Emoji check marks look different from Wingdings symbols — they are usually rounder and more colorful — so choose based on the style you prefer for your document.

Why does my check mark disappear when I change the font?

Check marks from Wingdings only display correctly when the text is set to Wingdings font. If you select all your text and change the font to something else, the check mark may vanish or turn into a different character. Select just the check mark and keep it in Wingdings while the rest of your text uses a different font.

How do I make a check mark bigger or smaller?

Select the check mark and use the font size dropdown in the Home tab, or highlight it and press Ctrl+] to increase size or Ctrl+[ to decrease size. You can also right-click the check mark and choose Font to open a detailed formatting window where you can set an exact size in points.

Can I change the color of a check mark?

Yes. Select the check mark, then click the arrow next to the Font Color button in the Home tab (it looks like an "A" with a colored bar underneath). Choose your color from the palette. The check mark changes to that color while keeping its shape and size.

What is the difference between a check mark and a checkbox?

A check mark is a static character that stays the same — readers see it but cannot interact with it. A checkbox is a form field that readers can click to toggle between checked and unchecked states. Use check marks for lists and documents that are read-only, and checkboxes for forms and templates where readers need to mark items themselves.