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Shift 8 on Keyboard: A Practical Guide to the Asterisk

Learn how shift 8 on keyboard types the asterisk (*) across common layouts and operating systems. This expert guide covers US and international keys, practical usage, and cross‑platform tips.

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Shortcuts Lib Team
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Shift+8 Guide - Shortcuts Lib
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Quick AnswerDefinition

On a standard US keyboard, Shift+8 types an asterisk (*) as a single keystroke. The result can vary with layout and regional settings, so some non-US keyboards map the 8 key with Shift to a different glyph or use dead keys. This quick guide explains what shift 8 on keyboard does, how it behaves on Windows, macOS, and Linux, and practical typing tips.

What Shift+8 Does on the Keyboard

On a standard US keyboard, Shift+8 types an asterisk () as a single keystroke. The phrase shift 8 on keyboard appears several times in this article to anchor the concept for keyboard enthusiasts. The exact symbol can vary with layout and regional settings, so some non-US keyboards map the 8 key with Shift to a different glyph or use a dead key behavior that changes the output in text fields, editors, and shells. In practice, most text editors and programming environments treat the result as '' when English language input is active. The following examples demonstrate the core idea across common languages and shells.

Python
# Demonstrate the asterisk character produced by Shift+8 char = '*' print(char, ord(char)) # Output: * 42
Bash
# Print a literal asterisk to stdout printf '*'
JavaScript
// Verify the star character code in JavaScript const star = '*'; console.log(`Star code: ${star.charCodeAt(0)}`); // 42

How Layouts Change the Result of Shift+8

The symbol produced by Shift+8 is layout-dependent. On US, UK, and many Western keyboards, pressing Shift+8 yields an asterisk. Other layouts may map that physical key to a different symbol, or use dead keys that transform following characters. To illustrate the concept without relying on a specific physical keyboard, you can reason with a simple mapping model:

Python
# Hypothetical mapping used for demonstration; actual output depends on layout layout_to_symbol = { "us": "*", "gb": "*", "de": "*", "fr": "*" } def symbol_for_layout(layout): return layout_to_symbol.get(layout, "*") for layout in ["us","gb","de","fr","tr"]: print(layout, "->", symbol_for_layout(layout))

In real-world workflows, you should verify the behavior in your text editor and IDE, because some locales use dead keys or input methods that require additional keystrokes to produce the final symbol. If you expect a registered star and see something else, switching to a standard US or ANSI layout for composition tasks can reduce surprises.

Cross-Platform Behavior: Windows, macOS, Linux

Across Windows, macOS, and Linux, Shift+8 is commonly treated as the star character, but input method editors (IMEs), regional keyboards, and application-level settings can influence the result. To confirm on your machine, you can print the character code in a tiny test file:

Python
char = '*' print(char, ord(char)) # * 42
Bash
# Linux/macOS shell example printf '%s\n' '*'
PowerShell
# Windows PowerShell $star = '*' Write-Output "$star code ->" + [int][char]$star # * -> 42

If you rely on star for shell globs or programming, always test in the exact environment where the symbol will appear, since GUI input methods may bypass your terminal's locale.

Steps

Estimated time: 90-120 minutes

  1. 1

    Identify the target environment

    Open a text field and a terminal/CLI in your primary operating system. Confirm you’re using a layout you commonly rely on (e.g., US ANSI).

    Tip: Keep a note of your current locale settings to reproduce the result later.
  2. 2

    Type Shift+8 in several apps

    In a text editor, a browser address bar, and a terminal, press Shift+8 and observe the glyph. If any app shows something other than '*', document the locale or IME in use.

    Tip: If you see a different glyph, switch to a familiar US layout for consistency.
  3. 3

    Verify the character code

    Use a tiny script to print the code point of the output. This helps you confirm it is the expected asterisk (code point 42).

    Tip: Code points are layout-agnostic, making them a reliable check across environments.
  4. 4

    Test escaping and quotes

    Test how the asterisk behaves in Markdown, shell globs, and regex. Ensure you escape or quote as needed to preserve literal stars.

    Tip: Globbing and formatting are common sources of misinterpretation.
  5. 5

    Document findings

    Record the observed behavior and share the results with teammates or in documentation. Include OS, layout, and app-specific notes.

    Tip: A concise matrix helps prevent confusion in collaborative projects.
Pro Tip: Always test Shift+8 in the exact tool where you expect to use it (IDE, editor, terminal). Small differences can cause bugs if you assume a universal symbol.
Warning: Be mindful of Markdown and shell globbing; unescaped asterisks can trigger formatting or file expansion.
Note: If you frequently switch layouts, consider configuring a dedicated shortcut to switch keyboards quickly.

Prerequisites

Required

  • Windows 10 or newer
    Required
  • macOS 11 (Big Sur) or newer
    Required
  • A keyboard with a standard 102/105-key layout
    Required
  • Basic knowledge of keyboard shortcuts
    Required
  • Ability to test across apps (text editors, terminals, IDEs)
    Required

Keyboard Shortcuts

ActionShortcut
Type an asterisk via keyboardUS/ANSI layouts; other layouts may differ⇧+8
Copy asterisk to clipboardFrom a selected asterisk in textCtrl+C
Paste asterisk from clipboardInto editor or terminalCtrl+V

Questions & Answers

What does Shift+8 produce on non-US layouts?

The symbol can vary by locale and keyboard design. While Shift+8 often yields an asterisk, some layouts map the key to a different glyph or use dead keys that modify the output in certain applications. Always test in the target environment.

On most non-US layouts, Shift+8 still yields a star character, but it can be different in specific IMEs. Test it in your apps to be sure.

Is Shift+8 always an asterisk in programming?

In most programming contexts, Shift+8 resolves to an asterisk, provided the active layout maps that key to '*'. However, some languages or editors with custom input methods may alter the output. Verify in your editor and terminal.

Usually yes, but check your editor’s input method if you’re on an unusual layout.

How can I type an asterisk if Shift+8 isn’t producing one?

If your layout doesn’t map Shift+8 to '*', you can use a layout switch, an Alt code (Windows), Unicode escape, or an explicit key sequence supported by your editor. Quoting or escaping may also help in different contexts.

Switch layouts or use an explicit method like Alt codes or Unicode to insert '*'.

What are common pitfalls when using the asterisk in Markdown or shells?

Common pitfalls include Markdown interpreting * as emphasis and shells expanding * as globs. Always escape with a backslash in Markdown or quote in the shell to ensure a literal asterisk appears.

Watch out for Markdown formatting and shell globbing when you type *.

Can I rely on Shift+8 in all apps?

Not necessarily. Application-level input methods, locale settings, and OS-level preferences can influence the outcome. Always test in each app you use regularly to confirm consistent behavior.

No—test in each app to be sure.

Main Points

  • Shift+8 usually yields '*' on US layouts
  • Layout and IME can alter the produced symbol
  • Verify symbol via simple code to ensure consistency
  • Escape or quote asterisks in Markdown and shells
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