The fastest way to add a check mark

Open 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 small dropdown menu appears — click More Symbols at the bottom. In the dialog box that opens, change the font to Wingdings using the dropdown menu. Scroll down until you see a check mark (it looks like a small ✓), click it, then click Insert and close the dialog.

That method works in Word 2016, 2019, 2021, and Microsoft 365 on both Windows and Mac. The steps are identical across all versions.

Key Takeaways

  • The Symbol menu in the Insert tab is the most reliable way to add a check mark in any version of Word.
  • Wingdings font contains multiple check mark styles — solid, hollow, and boxed — so you can choose the one that fits your document.
  • On Windows, you can also type a check mark directly using Alt+0252 on the numeric keypad, though this does not work on Mac.
  • If you use check marks often, you can assign a keyboard shortcut to your favorite symbol so you do not have to open the menu each time.

Using the Symbol menu on Windows

Click Insert in the ribbon at the top of Word. On the far right, you will see a button labeled Symbol with a Greek letter on it. Click the small arrow next to it to open a dropdown menu showing recently used symbols. If you have never inserted a check mark before, the dropdown will be empty or show other symbols.

Click More Symbols at the bottom of that dropdown. A dialog box opens with two tabs: Symbols and Special Characters. Stay on the Symbols tab. At the top left, there is a dropdown that says Font — click it and scroll down to find Wingdings. Once you select Wingdings, the symbol grid changes to show Wingdings characters. Look for the check mark (usually in the upper rows) and click it once to select it. The preview at the bottom shows what it will look like. Click the Insert button, then close the dialog by clicking Close.

Using the Symbol menu on Mac

The process on Mac is nearly identical. Click Insert in the menu bar at the top of the screen, then select Symbol from the dropdown. The Symbol dialog opens directly (Mac does not show a smaller dropdown first). Change the font dropdown to Wingdings, find the check mark in the grid, click it, and click Insert.

If you do not see a Symbol option in the Insert menu, you may be using an older version of Word for Mac. In that case, click Insert, then look for Special Characters instead. The process is the same from there.

The Alt code method for Windows only

If you use check marks frequently, the Alt code method is faster than opening the Symbol menu each time. On Windows, hold down the Alt key and type 0252 on the numeric keypad (the numbers on the right side of your keyboard, not the row at the top). When you release Alt, a check mark appears. This only works on Windows, and only if you use the numeric keypad — the number row at the top of the keyboard will not work.

This method inserts the same Wingdings check mark that the Symbol menu does. If your keyboard does not have a numeric keypad (common on laptops), use the Symbol menu instead.

Choosing between different check mark styles

When you open the Wingdings font in the Symbol menu, you will see several check mark options. The most common is a straightforward solid check mark (✓). Below it you may see a hollow check mark (☐ with a check inside), a boxed check mark, or a heavy check mark. Which one you choose depends on what your document needs.

For a to-do list or straightforward checklist, the solid check mark works well. For a formal document or form, a boxed check mark looks more official. If you are creating a ballot or survey, a hollow check mark inside a box is clearer. Scroll through the options in the Symbol dialog to see what Wingdings offers, and pick the style that matches your document's tone.

Creating a keyboard shortcut for your favorite check mark

If you insert the same check mark style many times, you can assign it a keyboard shortcut so you never have to open the Symbol menu again. Open the Symbol dialog as usual, select your preferred check mark, and look for a button labeled Shortcut Key (on Windows) or Keyboard Shortcut (on Mac). Click it.

A small dialog appears asking you to press the key combination you want to use. Choose something you will remember and that does not conflict with Word's built-in shortcuts — for example, Ctrl+Shift+C or Ctrl+Alt+V. Type your chosen combination, click Assign, then close both dialogs. From now on, pressing that key combination will insert your check mark when ready.

Troubleshooting check marks that look wrong

If your check mark appears as a box, a question mark, or a garbled character, the font has changed. This usually happens when you copy and paste text from another source, or when you open a document on a computer that does not have Wingdings installed. To fix it, select the check mark, then change the font back to Wingdings using the font dropdown in the ribbon.

If the check mark still looks wrong after you change the font, delete it and insert a new one using the Symbol menu. If you are sharing the document with others, keep in mind that Wingdings is a standard font on Windows and Mac, so the check mark should display correctly on their computers too.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I copy and paste a check mark from the internet?

Yes, you can copy a check mark character from a web page and paste it into Word. However, it may not display correctly if the source uses a different font. Using the Symbol menu ensures the check mark is formatted properly from the start.

What if I want a check mark in a different color?

Insert the check mark normally, then select it and use the font color button in the ribbon (it looks like an "A" with a colored bar underneath). Click the dropdown arrow next to it and choose your color. The check mark will change to that color.

Is there a check mark symbol that does not require Wingdings?

Yes. Some fonts like Calibri and Arial include basic check mark characters. However, Wingdings offers more styles and is more reliable across different computers. If you need a check mark that works everywhere, Wingdings is the safest choice.

Can I insert a check mark in a checkbox form field?

If you are creating a form with checkboxes, Word has a dedicated checkbox control under the Developer tab. This is different from inserting a check mark symbol. Enable the Developer tab in Word options, then use the checkbox control to create interactive forms that readers can actually click to check off.