You are trying to enter your email but cannot find it dog icon (@) on a laptop keyboard? This problem is familiar to many - especially those who recently switched from a desktop PC to a laptop or use a non-standard layout. The @ symbol (at, dog, dog) is necessary for email, social networks and programming, but its location depends on the laptop model, operating system and even regional settings.

In this article we will look at all possible ways @ input - from standard keyboard shortcuts to alternative methods for Windows 10/11, macOS And Linux. You'll learn why @ sometimes "hides" behind other characters, how to change the layout for convenience, and what to do if a key is broken. And for those who work with several languages, we have prepared unique layout table with @ location in different languages - such information is not even in the official Microsoft documentation.

1. Standard location @ on a laptop keyboard

On most laptops, the @ symbol is entered using a key combination that depends on the current layout. Here are the basic rules:

  • 🇷🇺 Russian layout: press Shift + 2 (number 2 in the top row). This is the most common method for laptops ASUS, Lenovo, HP And Acer.
  • 🇺🇸 English layout (USA): combination Shift + ' (key with apostrophe, next to Enter). On some models (for example, Dell XPS) may be required Shift + @ (if @ is placed on a separate key).
  • 🇬🇧 British layout (UK): here @ is on the key Shift + ', but the apostrophe is shifted further to the left than in the USA layout. Often causes confusion among users.

If you have compact keyboard (for example, on MacBook Air or Microsoft Surface), the @ symbol can be hidden under function keys. In this case, try holding Fn along with the main combination.

📊 Which layout do you use most often?
  • Russian
  • English (USA)
  • British (UK)
  • Another

Important: on some laptops (especially budget models from Lenovo IdeaPad or HP Pavilion) key Shift may not work correctly due to drivers. If @ is not entered, try pressing Shift on the other side of the keyboard or update the drivers via Device Manager.

2. Why @ is not printed: common problems

If you press the correct combination but a quote ("), number 2, or other character appears instead of @, the problem may be one of the following:

  • ⚡ Wrong layout: Check the input language in the taskbar (next to the clock). For example, with the Russian layout Shift + ' will give a quote, not an @.
  • ⚡ Sticky keys: if Shift or Fn physically pinched (for example, due to dust), @ will not be entered. Try moving the keys or cleaning the keyboard.
  • ⚡ Keyboard driver: After updating Windows, settings sometimes get lost. Reinstall the driver in Device Manager → Keyboards.
  • ⚡ Software conflicts: utilities like AutoHotkey or KeyTweak can reassign keys. Start the system in Safe Mode and check the @ input.
How to check for sticky keys?

Open notepad and press all the modifier keys one by one (Shift, Ctrl, Alt, Fn). If characters continue to be entered after pressing (for example, letters become capitalized without holding down Shift), the key is stuck.

Special case - laptops with touchbar (For example, MacBook Pro or ASUS ZenBook). Here @ can be entered via the virtual keyboard on the screen. To call it:

  1. On Windows: press Win + Ctrl + O.
  2. On macOS: go to System Preferences -> Keyboard -> Show Keyboard Viewers.

3. Alternative ways to enter @ without a keyboard

If the keyboard is broken or the @ is missing (as on some netbooks or tablets with docking station), use these methods:

Method Instructions Suitable for
On-screen keyboard Win: Start → Special features → On-screen keyboard
Mac: System Preferences → Accessibility → Keyboard		 All OS
Copying from clipboard Copy @ from this article (Ctrl + C) and paste (Ctrl + V) Any devices
Alt code Hold Alt, dial 64 on the number pad (NumPad), release Alt Windows only
Text replacements On macOS: System Preferences → Keyboard → Text, add replacement (e.g. "at" → "@") macOS, iOS

For Linux (For example, Ubuntu or Fedora) you can use the command in the terminal:

echo -e "\x40"

This command will print @ to the console, where you can copy it.

💡

If you often work with email, create a text template in Notepad++ or Sublime Text with the @ symbol ready. This way you won't have to remember key combinations.

4. How to change the layout for convenient input @

If you constantly have to switch between languages to type @, you can remap the keys or add an alternative layout:

  • 🔄 Add USA layout (even if you don't know English): On Windows, go to Settings → Time and language → Language → Add layout and select English (USA). Now @ will be available via Shift + '.
  • 🔄 Use Microsoft Keyboard Layout Creator: This utility allows you to create your own layout, where @ will be on a convenient key (for example, Alt Gr + 2).
  • 🔄 Reassign keys through the registry: For advanced users. Open regedit, go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Keyboard Layout and change the settings Scancode Map.

On macOS You can create your own layout via Ukelele (free utility). For example, many users move @ to Option + 2, so as not to conflict with Russian quotation marks.

Download Microsoft Keyboard Layout Creator|Create a new layout based on the current one|Move @ to a convenient key (for example, Alt Gr + Q)|Save and install the layout|Restart your computer-->

⚠️ Attention: Changing the registry or system layout files may cause the keyboard to not work. Before experimenting, create a system restore point (Control Panel → Recovery → Set up system recovery).

5. Peculiarities of @ input on different laptop models

Manufacturers sometimes change the standard arrangement of symbols. Here's what owners of popular brands need to know:

  • 💻 Lenovo ThinkPad: On some models (eg X1 Carbon) @ is entered via Fn + Q in English layout. This is due to the compact keyboard.
  • 💻 MacBook (all models): @ is on the key Option + 2 in Russian layout and Shift + 2 in English. On MacBook with Touch Bar you can add @ to the quick access toolbar.
  • 💻 HP Spectre/Envy: sometimes required Fn + Shift + ' due to a conflict with the media keys.
  • 💻 ASUS ROG: On gaming laptops @ may be hidden under Alt Gr + 2 (due to additional macro keys).

If you have hybrid laptop (For example, Microsoft Surface or Samsung Galaxy Book), check your keyboard settings in tablet mode - sometimes @ is only available through the on-screen keyboard.

💡

On laptops with 12th generation Intel chipsets and newer (for example, Dell XPS 13 Plus) a BIOS update may be required for modifier keys to work correctly.

6. @ in programming and special applications

In some development environments (for example, Visual Studio Code or PyCharm) The @ symbol is used for annotations, decorators, or email addresses. If @ is not entered:

  • 👨‍💻 Check it out input mode: in VS Code click Ctrl + K M and select the file language (for example, Python or JavaScript).
  • 👨‍💻 Disable plugins, which can block characters (for example, ESLint or Prettier).
  • 👨‍💻 Use HTML code: in web development @ can be inserted like @.

B 1C:Enterprise or AutoCAD @ may conflict with hotkeys. To enter it into an input field, try:

  1. Click Ctrl + Shift + 2 (for Russian layout).
  2. Paste from clipboard (Ctrl + V).
  3. Use virtual keyboard Windows.

7. Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Even experienced users sometimes have trouble typing @. Here are common mistakes and their solutions:

Error Reason Solution
Instead of @, " (quote) is printed Incorrect layout (Russian instead of English) Switch language (Alt + Shift or Win + Space)
@ is entered only with a delay Sticky keys Shift or Fn Clean your keyboard with compressed air or reboot your laptop
@ doesn't work in a specific application (e.g. Photoshop) Hotkey conflict Reassign combinations in the program settings
There is nothing printed on the @ key Worn characters or non-standard layout Use the on-screen keyboard to identify a key

⚠️ Attention: if you use external keyboard (For example, Logitech MX Keys), check its layout separately from the built-in one. Some keyboards have a switch Win/Macwhich changes the location of @.

Another trap - autocorrect in text editors. For example, in Microsoft Word or Google Docs @ can be automatically replaced with another character if the feature is enabled AutoCorrect. To disable it:

  1. B Word: File -> Options -> Spelling -> AutoCorrect Options.
  2. B Google Docs: Tools → Settings → AutoCorrect.

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

🔹 Why is @ entered using Shift + 2 on my laptop, but at work - via Shift + '?

It depends regional layout. At home you most likely have Russian or American (USA), and at work - British (UK). Check the current layout in the taskbar and, if necessary, add the desired one via Windows Settings → Time and Language.

🔹 Is it possible to make @ entered without Shift?

Yes, but this will require reassign keys using utilities:

  • For Windows: AutoHotkey (script: 2::Send @).
  • For macOS: Karabiner-Elements.
  • For Linux: xmodmap or setxkbmap.

Please note that after this the key 2 will always enter @, which can be inconvenient.

🔹 What to do if @ does not work only in the browser?

The problem may be browser extensions (For example, adblocks or password managers). Try:

  1. Open browser in incognito mode (extensions disabled).
  2. Disable extensions one by one to find the culprit.
  3. Reset your browser settings to default.

Also check if the mode is enabled Vim keys (for example, in Firefox or Vivaldi).

🔹 Where is @ located on the keyboard of a laptop with Azure AD (enterprise)?

On corporate laptops (for example, running Windows 10/11 Enterprise) layout may be limited by security policies. In this case:

  • Use Alt code (Alt + 64).
  • Contact your IT department for permission to add an alternative layout.
  • Try entering @ via virtual keyboard Windows.

Often in corporate laptops the ability to change layouts without administrator rights is disabled.

🔹 Why is @ entered differently on the new MacBook than on the old one?

Apple has changed the character input logic starting with macOS Catalina. Now:

  • B Russian layout @ is entered via Option + 2.
  • B English layout - through Shift + 2.
  • On MacBook with Touch Bar you can add @ to your quick access toolbar via System Preferences → Keyboard → Touch Bar Settings.

If you have MacBook with M1/M2 chip, update macOS to the latest version - older versions had bugs with displaying characters.