To type an underscore
_ in any email field, press Shift + - (hyphen) on desktop or mobile keyboards. On touchscreens, switch to the symbol keyboard and tap _.Why would you need an underscore in an email address?
The underscore (_) is a valid character in most email systems, though it looks different from a hyphen or dash. As of 2026, major providers like Gmail, Outlook, and Yahoo still accept underscores in email addresses. Some newer platforms and domain registrars block them due to older technical standards. RFC 5322 allows underscores in the local part of an address, but ICANN bans them entirely in domain names.
How exactly do you type an underscore in an email address?
On desktop computers:
- Click into any email field (To, Recipient, Username, etc.).
- Windows users: Hold Shift and press the - key (usually next to 0).
- macOS users: Same trick—Shift + - on a US keyboard layout.
- You should see the underscore appear:
user_name@example.com
Stuck with a laptop that lacks a dedicated hyphen key?
- Try the numeric keypad: enable Num Lock, then Shift + 0.
- Or fire up the on-screen keyboard (Win + Ctrl + O on Windows) and click
_.
What if your phone keyboard doesn’t show the underscore?
On iPhone, iPad, or Android:
- Open any app or website with an email field.
- Tap the field to bring up the keyboard.
- Switch to the ?123 or symbols page.
- Tap the
_key—it’s usually on the first symbols screen.
Any shortcuts for typing an underscore on smartphones?
| Device | Shortcut or Path |
|---|---|
| iPhone / iPad | Long-press the hyphen key on the main keyboard |
| Android (Gboard) | Swipe from 1 to @ and release on _ |
| Samsung Keyboard | Tap ?123 → #+= → _ |
I tried Shift + - and nothing happened—what now?
- Check your keyboard layout: French AZERTY or German QWERTZ layouts often need Shift + : or AltGr + -. Test in Notepad first to see what you get.
- Copy-paste trick: Open a blank text file, type
_, copy it, then paste into the email field with Ctrl+V (Windows) or Cmd+V (macOS). - Windows Character Map: Hit Win + . to open the emoji & symbol picker, search “underscore,” and drop it right in.
How can I avoid underscore problems in the future?
- Test before you submit: Many sign-up forms only reject underscores after you hit “Send.” Try a temporary email like temp-mail.org to verify the format works.
- Play it safe: If you’re unsure, stick to letters, numbers, and periods (
.). They’re accepted everywhere. - Clean up your contacts: Switching providers? Export your address book and remove any addresses that contain underscores to dodge bounce-backs.
- Use disposable aliases: Services such as Guerrilla Mail or AnonAddy let you spin up temporary addresses without underscores.
