Create Male and Female Icons in MS Word [Easy Guide]

Creating male and female icons in Microsoft Word is easier than many people expect. Whether you use the built-in Icons library, manually draw the symbols with Shapes, or insert Unicode gender symbols, Word provides all the tools needed to create clean and professional graphics.

By learning how to insert, resize, color, align, group, and format these icons, you can improve the appearance of forms, presentations, reports, educational materials, and many other documents. Once you create your first set of icons, you can save and reuse them whenever needed, making future projects faster and more consistent.

Let’s learn the things in detail!

Create Male and Female Icons in MS Word

Microsoft Word provides several ways to create male and female icons. The easiest method is using the built-in Icons library available in newer versions of Word. 

If your version does not include this feature, you can create the same icons manually using Shapes and Lines. You can also use Unicode symbols if you only need the standard gender signs in text.

Follow the detailed steps below.

Step 1: Open Microsoft Word and Create a New Document

The first step is opening Microsoft Word on your computer.

Click the Start button and search for Microsoft Word. Open the application and select Blank Document. If Word is already running, click File, choose New, and then select Blank Document.

Working on a blank page gives you enough space to create and adjust your icons. If you plan to use the icons inside another document, you can also open that file instead.

Before continuing, it is a good idea to zoom in slightly using the Zoom Slider in the bottom right corner. A larger view makes drawing and editing shapes much easier, especially for beginners.

Step 2: Decide Which Method You Want to Use

Microsoft Word offers more than one way to create gender icons.

If you use Microsoft Word 2019, Word 2021, or Microsoft 365, the easiest option is inserting ready-made icons.

If you are using an older version such as Word 2016 or earlier, you can create the same design manually with Shapes.

If you simply need the gender symbols inside text, you can insert Unicode characters.

Choosing the right method first saves time and prevents unnecessary editing later.

Step 3: Insert a Ready-Made Male Icon

If your version of Word includes the Icons feature, click the Insert tab.

Select Icons from the ribbon. A large library containing thousands of vector icons will appear.

Use the search box and type Male, Man, Person, or Gender.

Word displays matching icons. Click the one you like and select Insert.

The icon immediately appears on your document.

Because these are vector graphics, they remain sharp even when enlarged. You can resize them without losing quality.

Step 4: Insert a Ready-Made Female Icon

Repeat the same process for the female icon.

• Open the Icons library again from the Insert tab.
• Search for Female, Woman, Girl, or Gender.
• Choose the design that best matches your document.
• Click Insert.

Now both icons appear on the page. You can drag them anywhere by clicking and holding the mouse button.

Using matching icon styles gives your document a cleaner and more professional appearance.

Step 5: Resize the Icons

The inserted icons may appear too large or too small.

Click an icon once to select it.

Small sizing handles appear around the edges.

Click and drag one of the corner handles inward to make the icon smaller or outward to enlarge it.

Avoid dragging the side handles because they may stretch the design and make it look distorted.

Keeping the proportions unchanged helps maintain a professional look.

Step 6: Change the Icon Colors

Word allows you to customize icon colors easily.

• Select the icon.
• Open the Graphics Format tab.
• Click Graphics Fill.
• Choose any color you prefer.

Many users select Blue for male icons and Pink for female icons, but you can use any color that matches your project or company branding.

You can also experiment with gray, black, green, purple, or custom colors for a modern appearance.

Step 7: Create Male Icons Using Shapes

If your version of Word does not include built-in icons, you can draw the symbols manually.

• Open the Insert tab.
• Choose Shapes.
• Insert a Circle by selecting the Oval shape.
• Hold the Shift key while dragging the mouse. Holding Shift creates a perfect circle.
• Next, insert a Straight Line.

Place the line at a 45-degree angle extending from the upper right side of the circle.

Finally, insert another short line and connect it near the end of the first line to create an arrow.

The finished drawing represents the traditional male symbol.

Although it requires a few extra steps, the result looks very similar to professionally designed icons.

Step 8: Create Female Icons Using Shapes

Creating the female symbol is equally simple.

• Insert another perfect circle.
• Below the circle, insert a short vertical line.
• Add a shorter horizontal line crossing the bottom of the vertical line.
• These three shapes together form the classic female symbol.
• Take your time aligning each line carefully so the symbol looks balanced.

If necessary, zoom in further while adjusting the shapes.

Step 9: Align the Shapes Properly

Proper alignment makes your icons look polished.

Select all the shapes that belong to one icon.

Open the Shape Format tab.

Click Align.

Use the alignment options to center everything correctly.

If the lines appear slightly off, move them with the arrow keys on your keyboard for precise positioning.

Small adjustments often make a noticeable difference in the final appearance.

Step 10: Group the Shapes Together

Once your manual icon looks correct, group all its parts together.

1. Hold the Ctrl key while clicking each shape.
2. Right-click one of the selected shapes.
3. Choose Group, then Group again.
4. Now the icon behaves as a single object.

You can move, resize, rotate, or copy it without the individual pieces separating.

Grouping is especially useful when creating multiple icons in the same document.

Step 11: Add Outline and Fill Effects

To make your icons more attractive, apply formatting.

1. Select the icon.
2. Open Shape Format.
3. Use Shape Fill to change the inside color.
4. Use Shape Outline to change the border color.

You can also increase the outline thickness to make the symbol more visible in presentations or printed documents.

Simple formatting often makes even manually created icons look professionally designed.

Step 12: Insert Gender Symbols Using Unicode Characters

Sometimes you only need the standard gender symbols within text.

Place the cursor where you want the symbol.

Open Insert and click Symbol.

Choose More Symbols.

Search for the Male Sign (♂) and Female Sign (♀).

Click Insert.

These symbols behave like normal text, meaning you can change their font, size, color, and bold formatting.

This method is perfect for questionnaires, forms, lists, and tables.

Step 13: Copy and Reuse the Icons

After creating one pair of icons, you do not need to recreate them every time.

1. Click an icon.
2. Press Ctrl + C to copy it.
3. Press Ctrl + V to paste it wherever needed.

You can also save the document as a personal template so the icons are always available for future projects.

This saves considerable time if you frequently prepare forms, presentations, or educational documents.

Step 14: Save Your Document

Once everything looks correct, save your work.

1. Click File.
2. Select Save As.
3. Choose a location on your computer.
4. Enter a meaningful file name.
5. Click Save.

Saving regularly prevents accidental loss of work and allows you to continue editing later.

FAQs

Can I create male and female icons without downloading images?

Yes. Microsoft Word provides Shapes, Symbols, and, in newer versions, Icons, allowing you to create these graphics without downloading anything.

Which version of Word includes built-in Icons?

The Icons feature is available in Microsoft 365, Word 2019, Word 2021, and later versions.

Can I change the color of the icons?

Yes. Both inserted icons and manually created shapes can be customized using Graphics Fill, Shape Fill, and Shape Outline options.

Can I resize the icons without reducing quality?

Yes. Built-in Word icons are vector graphics, so they remain sharp even after resizing.

Can I use these icons in PowerPoint?

Yes. You can copy the icons from Word and paste them directly into Microsoft PowerPoint, where they retain their formatting.

Can I save the icons for future use?

Yes. Group the shapes, copy them into another document, or save them in a personal template for quick access later.