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

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

Co-authored by Darlene Antonelli, MA

Last Updated: November 26, 2022 Tested

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

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
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.
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3
Insert the open angle bracket. Select the sign “<” to do this.
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
Send your message. Now the recipient of the heart knows how you feel!

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Computer

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
Press and hold the ⇧ Shift key. There are usually two of these keys, one near each bottom corner of your keyboard.
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
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

Question

How do I make the heart symbol in texts?

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?

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.