Download Article
A simple guide to typing the "<3" symbol on your Android, iPhone, iPad, or computer
Download Article

Do you love the text message you received and want to reply with a heart? Instead of sending a colorful emoji, try using symbols on your keyboard! The <3 symbol, which is just a "less than" symbol next to a 3, is a way to designate in text that you love something. This How.com.vn article teaches you how to text a heart using symbols in a variety of ways.

Things You Should Know

  • If you're using an Android or iPhone, press the symbol button on your keyboard (something like "?123" or "123"). Enter "<" and "3" to make "<3", which is the heart symbol.
  • If you're using a computer, press and hold "Shift" and press "<". Finally, press "3".
  • If you don't like the text symbols, you can use other methods to add heart icons or emojis.
Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Phone or Tablet

Download Article
  1. How.com.vn English: Step 1 Create or reply to a text message on your Android, iPhone, or iPad.
    Open the app you normally text in, such as Messages or WhatsApp, then compose your message or reply.
  2. How.com.vn English: Step 2 Go to the symbol keypad to add symbols.
    If you have an iPhone or iPad, tap the “123” button. On an Android and other phones, you'll see a button with either “symb,” “?123,” “*#(“ or “@!?” on it.
    • Going to this mode lets you input symbols instead of letters and numbers.
    Advertisement
  3. How.com.vn English: Step 3 Insert the open angle bracket.
    Select the sign “<” to do this.
  4. How.com.vn English: Step 4 Type a 3.
    Select the number three “3” from the keypad. This will form a heart shape that will look like this <3.
    • You now have successfully created a heart in your message.
  5. How.com.vn English: Step 5 Send your message.
    Now the recipient of the heart knows how you feel!
  6. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Computer

Download Article
  1. How.com.vn English: Step 1 Click the mouse where you want to insert a heart.
    You can type a symbol that looks like a heart in any program that allows typing, including your web browser, Microsoft Word, email apps, and Notepad. You can also add hearts to direct messages on websites like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
    • This will work on any computer that has a keyboard, including Windows, Mac, and Linux. You can even do this with your iPad, iPhone, and Android if you aren't texting someone!
  2. How.com.vn English: Step 2 Press and hold the ⇧ Shift key.
    There are usually two of these keys, one near each bottom corner of your keyboard.
  3. How.com.vn English: Step 3 Press and release <.
    It's the same key that has the comma (,). When you release your finger from both keys, a < will appear. This is the bottom of the heart.
    • You can also release the Shift key.
  4. How.com.vn English: Step 4 Press the 3 key.
    You have now created a heart-shaped symbol.
    • Sending a "<3" in Facebook Messenger will trigger a floating heart animation for phones and tablets.
  5. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How do I make the heart symbol in texts?
    How.com.vn English: Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Go to the comma key. Press Shift + comma key to activate the "
  • Question
    How do I type a heart on an Apple computer?
    How.com.vn English: Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Pressing command+option+T should open up the Mac OS X Character Palette. Here you can find hearts and any other symbols you might need.
  • Question
    I've written love before, and in the bar below I could insert the red heart. It pops up. Where can I find how to make that come back?
    How.com.vn English: Christopher Frieß
    Christopher Frieß
    Community Answer
    Some websites and apps provide emoji shortcodes that you can write like this:[colon]shortcode name. The names always depend on the website/app. On WhatsApp Desktop, for example, the system is clever and adjusts to your usage. You can write ":heart" for the heart emoji and similar emojis to appear. On the phone, just use the emoji button on your keyboard (generally next to the spacebar or in "More") to insert emojis.
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      Show More Tips


      Show More Tips
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      About This Article

      How.com.vn English: Darlene Antonelli, MA
      Co-authored by:
      How.com.vn Technology Writer
      This article was co-authored by How.com.vn staff writer, Darlene Antonelli, MA. Darlene Antonelli is a Technology Writer and Editor for How.com.vn. Darlene has experience teaching college courses, writing technology-related articles, and working hands-on in the technology field. She earned an MA in Writing from Rowan University in 2012 and wrote her thesis on online communities and the personalities curated in such communities. This article has been viewed 295,019 times.
      How helpful is this?
      Co-authors: 7
      Updated: September 27, 2023
      Views: 295,019
      Categories: Graphics
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 295,019 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      ⚠️ Disclaimer:

      Content from Wiki How English language website. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike License; additional terms may apply.
      Wiki How does not encourage the violation of any laws, and cannot be responsible for any violations of such laws, should you link to this domain, or use, reproduce, or republish the information contained herein.

      Notices:
      • - A few of these subjects are frequently censored by educational, governmental, corporate, parental and other filtering schemes.
      • - Some articles may contain names, images, artworks or descriptions of events that some cultures restrict access to
      • - Please note: Wiki How does not give you opinion about the law, or advice about medical. If you need specific advice (for example, medical, legal, financial or risk management), please seek a professional who is licensed or knowledgeable in that area.
      • - Readers should not judge the importance of topics based on their coverage on Wiki How, nor think a topic is important just because it is the subject of a Wiki article.

      Advertisement