# AltGr key

> modifier key on many non-US computer keyboards primarily used to type special characters that are not widely used in the territory where sold

**Wikidata**: [Q433164](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q433164)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AltGr_key)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/altgr-key

## Summary
The AltGr key is a modifier key found on many non-US computer keyboards, primarily used to type special characters that are not widely used in the territory where the keyboard is sold. It functions by altering the semantics of other keys when pressed in combination, allowing users to access alternate graphics and symbols beyond the standard alphanumeric set.

## Key Facts
- **Classification**: The AltGr key is a specific instance of a **modifier key**, which is a class of computer key that changes the meaning or function of other keys.
- **Primary Function**: It is used to type special characters that are uncommon in the region where the keyboard is distributed.
- **Aliases**: Known by various names globally, including **Alt Graph**, **Alternate graphic**, **Alt Car**, **Touche Alt Car**, **AltGr-Taste**, and **右Alt** (Right Alt).
- **Visual Identifiers**: The key is associated with a specific icon (`Alt-gr-icon.png`) and image (`AltGr1.jpg`) available on Wikimedia Commons.
- **Digital Identifiers**: It possesses a Freebase ID (`/m/0319l_`) and a WikiKids ID (`Alt_Gr`).
- **Wikipedia Presence**: The entity has a Wikipedia sitelink count of **25** across languages including English, German, French, Spanish, Japanese, and Chinese.

## FAQs
### Q: What is the specific purpose of the AltGr key?
A: The AltGr key acts as a modifier to produce special characters or symbols that are not printed on the primary key caps or are not widely used in the specific territory where the computer is sold.

### Q: How does the AltGr key relate to a standard modifier key?
A: AltGr is a subclass of the "modifier key." Like other modifiers (such as Shift or Ctrl), it does not typically produce a character on its own but changes the output of other keys pressed simultaneously.

### Q: What are the different names for the AltGr key?
A: It is known by several names and aliases, including "Alt Graph," "Alternate graphic," "Alt Car" (used in French-Canadian layouts), "AltGr-Taste" (German), and "右Alt" (Right Alt in Japanese/Chinese).

## Why It Matters
The AltGr key solves a critical localization challenge in hardware design: the need for diverse character sets without increasing the physical size or complexity of the keyboard. By serving as a "third level" shift (distinct from the unshifted and Shift-shifted states), it allows standard keyboard layouts to support languages and currency symbols specific to non-US regions efficiently. This functionality is essential for international computing, ensuring that users can input necessary diacritics and symbols without relying on external software tools or cumbersome ASCII codes.

## Notable For
- **Regional Specialization**: Unlike the standard Alt key, AltGr is specifically notable for its prevalence on non-US keyboards to accommodate local typography.
- **Diverse Nomenclature**: It is distinguished by having unique localized names, such as "Touche AltGr" and "Alt Car," reflecting its integration into various language ecosystems.
- **Modifier Subclass**: It is explicitly classified as a distinct type of modifier key, separate from the generic "Alt" key, though sometimes physically mapped to the right-hand Alt key position.

## Body

### Definition and Classification
The AltGr key is a **modifier key** on computer keyboards. As a subclass of the broader "computer key" category, its fundamental role is to change the semantics of other keys when pressed in combination. While standard modifier keys like Shift, Control, and Alt are ubiquitous, the AltGr key is specifically defined as a modifier primarily used on **non-US computer keyboards**. Its core technical function is to enable the typing of **special characters** that are not widely used in the territory where the device is sold, effectively expanding the character set available to the user beyond the standard alphanumeric keys.

### Nomenclature and Aliases
The key is recognized by a wide variety of names and aliases across different languages and keyboard layouts. These include:
*   **Alt Graph** or **Alternate graphic**
*   **Alt Car** or **Touche Alt Car** (common in French-speaking regions)
*   **AltGr-Taste** or **Alt-Gr-Taste** (German)
*   **オルタネートグラフィックキー** (Alternate Graphic Key in Japanese)
*   **右Alt** or **右Altキー** (Right Alt in Chinese/Japanese)

This variety in nomenclature highlights the key's adaptation into various regional naming conventions while retaining its core function as a modifier for alternate graphics.

### Digital Presence and Structure
In knowledge base structures, the AltGr key is well-documented with specific identifiers:
*   **Wikidata & Wikipedia**: It has a sitelink count of **25**, covering a wide range of languages including Arabic, Catalan, German, English, Spanish, French, Hebrew, and Ukrainian. Its Wikidata description explicitly reiterates its function as a modifier for special characters on non-US keyboards.
*   **Visuals**: The entity is linked to specific media files, including an icon (`Alt-gr-icon.png`) and a photograph (`AltGr1.jpg`) hosted on Wikimedia Commons under the category "AltGr key."
*   **Linked IDs**: The entity is associated with a Freebase ID (`/m/0319l_`) and a WikiKids ID (`Alt_Gr`).

### Relationship to Other Modifiers
The AltGr key exists within the ecosystem of modifier keys, which includes:
*   **Shift Key**: Used for capitalization and symbols.
*   **Control Key**: Used for system commands.
*   **Alt Key**: Used for special characters and menu shortcuts.
*   **Dead Keys**: A related concept where a key produces a diacritic mark upon subsequent keystroke.

The AltGr key is distinct in this group as it specifically targets the input of "Alternate graphic" characters rather than system commands (Control) or simple case shifting (Shift).