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

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

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

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  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/85\/Does-iMessage-Notify-when-You-Save-a-Photo-Step-9-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Does-iMessage-Notify-when-You-Save-a-Photo-Step-9-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/85\/Does-iMessage-Notify-when-You-Save-a-Photo-Step-9-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Does-iMessage-Notify-when-You-Save-a-Photo-Step-9-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Open the app you normally text in, such as Messages or WhatsApp, then compose your message or reply.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/5f\/Text-a-Heart-Using-Symbols-Step-2-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Text-a-Heart-Using-Symbols-Step-2-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/5f\/Text-a-Heart-Using-Symbols-Step-2-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Text-a-Heart-Using-Symbols-Step-2-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    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.
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  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/2f\/Text-a-Heart-Using-Symbols-Step-3-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Text-a-Heart-Using-Symbols-Step-3-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/2f\/Text-a-Heart-Using-Symbols-Step-3-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Text-a-Heart-Using-Symbols-Step-3-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Select the sign “<” to do this.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/31\/Text-a-Heart-Using-Symbols-Step-4-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Text-a-Heart-Using-Symbols-Step-4-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/31\/Text-a-Heart-Using-Symbols-Step-4-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Text-a-Heart-Using-Symbols-Step-4-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    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. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/aa\/Text-a-Heart-Using-Symbols-Step-5-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Text-a-Heart-Using-Symbols-Step-5-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/aa\/Text-a-Heart-Using-Symbols-Step-5-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Text-a-Heart-Using-Symbols-Step-5-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Now the recipient of the heart knows how you feel!
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Computer

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  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/07\/Text-a-Heart-Using-Symbols-Step-6-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Text-a-Heart-Using-Symbols-Step-6-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/07\/Text-a-Heart-Using-Symbols-Step-6-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Text-a-Heart-Using-Symbols-Step-6-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    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. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/47\/Text-a-Heart-Using-Symbols-Step-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Text-a-Heart-Using-Symbols-Step-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/47\/Text-a-Heart-Using-Symbols-Step-7.jpg\/v4-728px-Text-a-Heart-Using-Symbols-Step-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    There are usually two of these keys, one near each bottom corner of your keyboard.
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e1\/Text-a-Heart-Using-Symbols-Step-8.jpg\/v4-460px-Text-a-Heart-Using-Symbols-Step-8.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e1\/Text-a-Heart-Using-Symbols-Step-8.jpg\/v4-728px-Text-a-Heart-Using-Symbols-Step-8.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    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. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f2\/Text-a-Heart-Using-Symbols-Step-9.jpg\/v4-460px-Text-a-Heart-Using-Symbols-Step-9.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f2\/Text-a-Heart-Using-Symbols-Step-9.jpg\/v4-728px-Text-a-Heart-Using-Symbols-Step-9.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You have now created a heart-shaped symbol.
    • Sending a "<3" in Facebook Messenger will trigger a floating heart animation for phones and tablets.
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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 "
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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    Yes No
    Not Helpful 40 Helpful 20
  • Question
    How do I type a heart on an Apple computer?
    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.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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  • 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?
    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.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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    Not Helpful 2 Helpful 3
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