How to Text a Heart <3 Using Symbols Instead of Emoji

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Easily type a "<3" on Android, iPhone, iPad, or computer

Co-authored by Darlene Antonelli, MA Reviewed by John Keegan

Last Updated: January 9, 2025 Tested

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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 wikiHow article teaches you how to text a heart using symbols in a variety of ways.

Write a Heart for Text Using Symbols

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

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Open the app you normally text in, such as Messages or WhatsApp, then compose your message or reply.
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Go to the symbol keypad to add symbols. If you have an iPhone or iPad, tap the “123” button. On Android and other phones, you'll see a button with either “symb,” “?123,” “*#(“, "!#1", or “@!?” on it.
- Switching the keyboard lets you input symbols instead of letters and numbers.
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Select the sign “<” to do this.
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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.
Now the recipient of the heart knows how you feel!

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Computer

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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 with a keyboard, including Windows, Mac, and Linux. You can even do this with your iPad, iPhone, and Android if you aren't texting someone!
There are usually two of these keys, one near each bottom corner of your keyboard.
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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.
- On some laptops, you don't have to press Shift and can press the "<" button immediately.
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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.

Community Q&A

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Question

How do I make the heart symbol in texts?

Community Answer

Go to the comma key. Press Shift + comma key to activate the "

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How do I type a heart on an Apple computer?

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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.

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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?

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.

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You can also use emoji to add hearts to your text.

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There are other ways, like using the Character Map on Mac and Windows, to insert hearts into your messages.

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You can also react to a text on many platforms like Facebook Messenger, Instagram DMs, iPhone Messages, and Google Chats. Hold the message until emojis appear near the message, then tap one to select it. Use this method to add a little heart emoji to a message without having to send a new message.

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