U+2018
| OS | Layout | Shortcut |
|---|---|---|
| Windows(you) | Us | AltGr + ' |
| Windows | Uk | — |
| Windows | German | — |
| macOS | Us | — |
| macOS | Uk | Option + ' |
| macOS | German | — |
| Application | How to insert Left Single Quotation Mark |
|---|---|
| Windows (any app) | Hold Alt and type 0145 on the numeric keypad |
| Microsoft Word | Type 2018, then press Alt+X |
| Excel / Google Sheets | Use the formula =UNICHAR(8216) |
| Google Docs | Insert → Special characters, then search "left single quotation mark" |
| HTML | ‘ or ‘ |
| CSS (content property) | content: "\2018" |
| JavaScript | "\u2018" |
The left single quotation mark (curly opening quote) is the typographically correct character for opening quoted speech or marking the start of a quotation within a quotation.
Used in professional typography instead of the straight apostrophe ('). Word processors insert it automatically via smart quotes. Example: 'quoted text'.