Touch Typing Lessons
Lesson 7: Symbols
You've typed letters, numbers, and punctuation. Now: the weird stuff. $, &, #, *, ^, and the rest. These symbols power code, math, and the occasional emoticon. Let's finish what we started.
Each finger is responsible for specific symbols. Many of the symbol keys require use of the shift key. Hold the shift key with the little finger of the opposite hand. This will make it easier for you to keep your hands in position and to return to the home keys after typing.
Tip: These exercises use the shift key frequently. If your pinky gets tired, take a short break between exercises and stretch your fingers.
How this lesson works: Each section has two exercises. Technique Training builds muscle memory through focused patterns. Practice applies what you've learned to real writing. Complete them in order for best results.
Index Finger Symbols
7.1 Dollar and Ampersand: $ &
The first two number row symbols we will learn are typed with your index fingers: $ &
Type $ with your left index finger while holding the right shift key.
Type & with your right index finger while holding the left shift key.
You'll type $ for currency and variables in code, and & for "and" in company names and HTML.
Middle Finger Symbols
7.2 Hash and Asterisk: # *
Let's learn the symbols for the middle finger: # *
Type # with your left middle finger while holding the right shift key.
Type * with your right middle finger while holding the left shift key.
The # is used for hashtags, code comments, and markdown headings. The * marks bold text, multiplication, and wildcards.
Parentheses
7.3 Parentheses: ( )
Parentheses always come in pairs, so we'll learn both together. Both keys are on the right side of the number row: ( )
Type ( with your right ring finger while holding the left shift key.
Type ) with your right pinky while holding the left shift key.
Parentheses group ideas in writing, wrap function arguments in code, and clarify order of operations in math.
Exclamation and At Sign
7.4 Exclamation and At Sign: ! @
Now for two symbols on the left side of the number row: ! @
The ! yells. The @ points. Together, they are your inbox at 3am.
Type ! with your left pinky while holding the right shift key.
Type @ with your left ring finger while holding the right shift key.
The ! ends exclamations and means "not" in code. The @ is essential for email addresses and social media mentions.
Take a quick break if you need one. Eight symbols down. Center symbols up next.
Center Symbols
7.5 Percent and Caret: % ^
Almost done with the number row! The next two symbols are in the center of the row. You will stretch your index fingers to reach them: % ^
Type % with your left index finger while holding the right shift key.
Type ^ with your right index finger while holding the left shift key.
The % is for percentages and formatting strings. The ^ means "to the power of" in math and some programming languages, but it's also great for making cute faces ^_^
Minus and Equals
7.6 Minus and Equals: - =
Two more number row keys, both typed with your right pinky: - =
You may have met the hyphen in punctuation practice. Now you'll use it alongside the equals sign for math, code, and comparisons.
Underscore and Plus
7.7 Underscore and Plus: _ +
Now the shifted versions of those same keys: _ +
Type _ with your right pinky while holding the left shift key.
Type + with your right pinky while holding the left shift key.
The _ separates words in file_names and variable_names. The + is addition and string concatenation.
Well done! You've mastered every symbol on the number row. Just a few more characters to go.
Additional Symbols
Just a handful of symbols left, and we haven't finished with the lamp. Let's wrap this up.
7.8 Square Brackets: [ ]
![US QWERTY keyboard diagram with [, ] highlighted showing both hand positions](/static/images/keyboards/us_qwerty__md__h-both__fc__hc-BracketLeft-BracketRight.6ba065fdebb9.svg)
The square brackets are typed with your right pinky: [ ]
Square brackets are used for arrays, JSON data, and markdown links.
7.9 Braces: { }
The braces (curly brackets) are the shifted versions of the square brackets, also typed with your right pinky while holding the left shift: { }
Braces define code blocks in every C-style language including JavaScript, Java, and Python dictionaries.
7.10 Angle Brackets: < >
The angle brackets are the shifted versions of comma and period, typed with your right middle and ring fingers while holding the left shift: < >
Angle brackets are essential for HTML tags and comparison operators in code.
7.11 Backtick and Backslash: ` \
The backtick is tucked one step to the left of the 1 key. Reach with your left pinky. The backslash location varies by keyboard (see above) but is typed with your right pinky: ` \
The backtick creates template strings in JavaScript and inline code in markdown. The backslash is used for file paths and escape characters.
7.12 Tilde and Pipe: ~ |
The tilde and pipe are the shifted versions of backtick and backslash. Type them while holding the shift key with the opposite hand: ~ |
The tilde represents home directories in Unix systems. The pipe chains commands together in the terminal.
7.13 All Symbols: Victory Lap
You've learned every symbol on the keyboard. This final exercise uses all of them. Type it well. You've earned this.
You started at the home row. You rode the waves with the surf spirit, dove beneath where clams cackle and axolotls drift, reviewed books with strong opinions, solved a museum mystery, raided a locker, and survived a garage sale. Somewhere along the way, you learned to type. Every letter, every number, every symbol. The keyboard is yours now.
What's next? Try the typing speed test to measure your speed, or visit practice mode to keep building. You've got this.