If you’ve ever wanted to type words like résumé, fiancé or café correctly but didn’t know how to add the accents, you’re in the right place.
Here are the quickest methods for Windows, Mac and mobile devices.
Accent Shortcuts at a Glance
| Character | Windows Alt code | Mac shortcut | Mobile |
|---|---|---|---|
| á | Alt + 0225 | Option + E, then A | Hold A |
| é | Alt + 0233 | Option + E, then E | Hold E |
| è | Alt + 0232 | Option + `, then E | Hold E |
| ê | Alt + 0234 | Option + I, then E | Hold E |
| ü | Alt + 0252 | Option + U, then U | Hold U |
| ñ | Alt + 0241 | Option + N, then N | Hold N |
| ç | Alt + 0231 | Option + C | Hold C |
On Windows, enter the numbers on the dedicated numeric keypad with Num Lock turned on. On a Mac, press the Option-key combination, release the keys, and then type the letter.
How to Type Accents on Windows
Use Windows Alt Codes
For occasional accents, Alt codes provide a quick method:
- Turn on Num Lock.
- Hold down the Alt key.
- Type the complete four-digit code on the numeric keypad.
- Release Alt.
For example:
- Alt + 0233 → é
- Alt + 0232 → è
- Alt + 0234 → ê
- Alt + 0252 → ü
- Alt + 0241 → ñ
- Alt + 0231 → ç
For uppercase letters:
- Alt + 0201 → É
- Alt + 0200 → È
- Alt + 0202 → Ê
- Alt + 0220 → Ü
- Alt + 0209 → Ñ
- Alt + 0199 → Ç
The initial zero matters. Shorter legacy codes can produce different results depending on the application, keyboard configuration or active code page.
Alt codes normally require the separate numeric keypad on the right side of a full-size keyboard. The number row above the letters will not work.
What If Your Keyboard Has No Number Pad?
If you have a laptop or compact keyboard, try one of these alternatives:
- Use the Windows Character Map.
- Open the symbols panel with Windows key + period.
- Copy and paste the character.
- Add the US International keyboard layout.
With the US International layout active, punctuation keys become “dead keys” that modify the letter typed next:
- Apostrophe, then E → é
- Backtick, then E → è
- Caret, then E → ê
- Quotation mark, then U → ü
- Tilde, then N → ñ
If you want the punctuation mark by itself, press the punctuation key and then the Space bar.
How to Type Accents on a Mac
Mac uses Option-key combinations. For most accents, you first select the accent mark and then type the letter.
Acute Accent: á, é, í, ó, ú
Press Option + E, release the keys, and then type the vowel:
- Option + E, then A → á
- Option + E, then E → é
- Option + E, then I → í
- Option + E, then O → ó
- Option + E, then U → ú
Grave Accent: à, è, ì, ò, ù
Press Option + `, release, and then type the vowel:
- Option + `, then A → à
- Option + `, then E → è
- Option + `, then O → ò
The backtick key is normally located below Esc.
Circumflex: â, ê, î, ô, û
Press Option + I, release, and then type the vowel:
- Option + I, then A → â
- Option + I, then E → ê
- Option + I, then O → ô
Umlaut or Diaeresis: ä, ë, ï, ö, ü
Press Option + U, release, and then type the vowel:
- Option + U, then A → ä
- Option + U, then O → ö
- Option + U, then U → ü
Tilde: ã, ñ, õ
Press Option + N, release, and then type the letter:
- Option + N, then A → ã
- Option + N, then N → ñ
- Option + N, then O → õ
For ç, press Option + C. This character does not require a second keystroke.
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How to Type Uppercase Accented Letters
Use the same accent combination, but hold Shift while typing the final letter:
- Option + E, then Shift + E → É
- Option + U, then Shift + U → Ü
- Option + N, then Shift + N → Ñ
For uppercase Ç, press Option + Shift + C.
These combinations assume that your Mac is using the standard ABC or U.S. input source. Other keyboard layouts may use different shortcuts. For a larger reference, see the complete Mac Option-key shortcut guide.
Use the Mac Accent Menu
If you do not want to memorize shortcuts, press and hold the base letter. A menu may appear with its accented versions.
For example, hold E to see choices such as é, è, ê and ë. Click the character or press the number displayed beneath it.
The accent menu is not available in every application. When it does not appear, use an Option-key shortcut or open Character Viewer with Control + Command + Space.
How to Type Accents on iPhone and Android
On most mobile keyboards:
- Tap and hold the base letter.
- Wait for the accented versions to appear.
- Slide your finger to the character you want.
- Release your finger.
For example, hold E to choose é, è, ê or ë. Hold N for ñ, U for ü or C for ç.
The available characters can vary by keyboard app and active language. If the character you need does not appear, try adding the appropriate language keyboard in your device settings.
Copy and Paste Common Accented Characters
For a one-time need, copy the character directly:
á à â ä é è ê ë í ì î ï ó ò ô ö ú ù û ü ñ ç
Á À Â Ä É È Ê Ë Í Ì Î Ï Ó Ò Ô Ö Ú Ù Û Ü Ñ Ç
You can also use the Accent Character Finder to find and copy characters by language.
Why Isn’t the Shortcut Working?
The Windows Alt code does nothing
Make sure Num Lock is on and use the dedicated numeric keypad. Keep Alt pressed until you have entered the entire four-digit code.
The Windows Alt code produces the wrong character
Check that you included the initial zero. Four-digit codes such as Alt + 0233 are more dependable than legacy three-digit versions.
My laptop does not have a numeric keypad
Use the US International keyboard, Character Map, symbols panel or copy-and-paste method instead. A separate keypad is not required for these methods.
The Mac types only the accent mark
Press the Option-key combination, release it, and then type the letter. Also check that you are using the ABC or U.S. keyboard layout.
Holding a letter does not display accents
Some desktop applications do not support the press-and-hold menu. On mobile, the available choices depend on your keyboard app and active language. Use a keyboard shortcut or character picker when the menu is unavailable.
Which Method Should You Use?
- Occasional use: Copy and paste or use a character picker.
- Windows with a numeric keypad: Use four-digit Alt codes.
- Windows without a numeric keypad: Use the US International layout.
- Mac: Use Option-key shortcuts or press and hold.
- iPhone or Android: Press and hold the base letter.
Once you find the method that fits your device, typing accent marks becomes much easier.
