Looking for a quick reference for typing accent marks on Windows? This printable Alt codes chart gives you instant access to the most commonly used accented characters. Print it out and keep it by your computer for easy reference whenever you need to type é, á, ñ, ü, or any other accented character.
Perfect for students, professionals, writers—anyone who frequently types in multiple languages on Windows.
How to Use This Chart
Using Alt codes is simple:
- Hold down the Alt key
- Type the numeric code using your number pad (on the right side of your keyboard)
- Release the Alt key
- The accented character appears!
Important: Alt codes only work with the numeric keypad, not the numbers at the top of your keyboard. Laptop users may need to enable the Fn key to access the embedded number pad.
Essential Accented Vowels
These are the most frequently used accented characters across all languages:
| Character | Alt Code | Character | Alt Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| á | Alt + 160 | Á | Alt + 0193 |
| é | Alt + 130 | É | Alt + 144 |
| í | Alt + 161 | Í | Alt + 0205 |
| ó | Alt + 162 | Ó | Alt + 0211 |
| ú | Alt + 163 | Ú | Alt + 0218 |
Spanish Characters
Essential characters for typing in Spanish:
| Character | Alt Code | Description |
|---|---|---|
| ñ | Alt + 164 | n with tilde |
| Ñ | Alt + 165 | N with tilde |
| ü | Alt + 129 | u with umlaut |
| Ü | Alt + 154 | U with umlaut |
| ¿ | Alt + 168 | inverted question mark |
| ¡ | Alt + 173 | inverted exclamation |
French Accents
Common French accented characters:
Grave Accents (`)
| Character | Alt Code | Character | Alt Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| à | Alt + 133 | À | Alt + 0192 |
| è | Alt + 138 | È | Alt + 0200 |
| ù | Alt + 151 | Ù | Alt + 0217 |
Circumflex (^)
| Character | Alt Code | Character | Alt Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| â | Alt + 131 | Â | Alt + 0194 |
| ê | Alt + 136 | Ê | Alt + 0202 |
| î | Alt + 140 | Î | Alt + 0206 |
| ô | Alt + 147 | Ô | Alt + 0212 |
| û | Alt + 150 | Û | Alt + 0219 |
Other French Characters
| Character | Alt Code | Description |
|---|---|---|
| ç | Alt + 135 | c with cedilla |
| Ç | Alt + 128 | C with cedilla |
| ë | Alt + 137 | e with umlaut |
| ï | Alt + 139 | i with umlaut |
| æ | Alt + 145 | ae ligature |
| œ | Alt + 0156 | oe ligature |
German Characters
Essential German umlauts and eszett:
| Character | Alt Code | Description |
|---|---|---|
| ä | Alt + 132 | a with umlaut |
| ö | Alt + 148 | o with umlaut |
| ü | Alt + 129 | u with umlaut |
| Ä | Alt + 142 | A with umlaut |
| Ö | Alt + 153 | O with umlaut |
| Ü | Alt + 154 | U with umlaut |
| ß | Alt + 225 | sharp s (eszett) |
Portuguese & Italian Accents
Portuguese Tildes
| Character | Alt Code | Character | Alt Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| ã | Alt + 0227 | Ã | Alt + 0195 |
| õ | Alt + 0245 | Õ | Alt + 0213 |
Additional Vowels
| Character | Alt Code | Character | Alt Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| à | Alt + 133 | À | Alt + 0192 |
| ì | Alt + 141 | Ì | Alt + 0204 |
| ò | Alt + 149 | Ò | Alt + 0210 |
Common Symbols & Punctuation
Useful symbols you might need:
| Character | Alt Code | Description |
|---|---|---|
| © | Alt + 0169 | copyright symbol |
| ® | Alt + 0174 | registered trademark |
| ™ | Alt + 0153 | trademark symbol |
| € | Alt + 0128 | euro sign |
| £ | Alt + 0163 | pound sterling |
| ° | Alt + 0176 | degree symbol |
| ± | Alt + 0177 | plus-minus sign |
| ÷ | Alt + 0247 | division sign |
| × | Alt + 0215 | multiplication sign |
| – | Alt + 0150 | en dash |
| — | Alt + 0151 | em dash |
| « | Alt + 0171 | left guillemet |
| » | Alt + 0187 | right guillemet |
| • | Alt + 0149 | bullet point |
Quick Tips for Success
Number Pad Required:
Alt codes only work with the numeric keypad on the right side of your keyboard. The numbers above the letter keys won’t work.
Laptop Users:
If your laptop doesn’t have a dedicated number pad, look for numbers printed on certain letter keys (usually J, K, L, U, I, O). Press Fn + Alt, then type the code using these keys.
Three vs. Four Digits:
Some codes use three digits (like Alt + 130), others use four (like Alt + 0193). Both work – just type exactly what’s shown.
NumLock Must Be On:
Make sure NumLock is enabled on your keyboard for Alt codes to work.
Alternative Method:
If Alt codes aren’t working, try the US International Keyboard layout instead. See our complete guide for setup instructions.
Printing This Chart
To print this reference chart:
- Press Ctrl + P (Windows) or Cmd + P (Mac)
- Adjust print settings:
- Choose landscape orientation for better formatting
- Remove headers and footers for a cleaner look
- Consider printing in color for easier reading
- Click Print
Pro tip: Laminate your printed chart or slip it into a clear sheet protector to keep it clean and durable.
When Alt Codes Don’t Work
If Alt codes aren’t working for you:
Check NumLock:
Press the NumLock key to enable your number pad.
Try Four-Digit Codes:
If three-digit codes fail, try the four-digit versions (add a leading zero).
Verify Number Pad:
Make sure you’re using the number pad, not the top row numbers.
Enable Fn Key:
Laptop users need to hold Fn + Alt together.
Consider Alternatives:
If Alt codes consistently fail, switch to the US International Keyboard or enable the specific language keyboard you need.
For detailed troubleshooting and alternative methods, see our complete Alt Codes guide.
Beyond Alt Codes
While Alt codes work great on Windows, other platforms have their own methods:
Mac Users:
Use Option key combinations. See our Mac keyboard shortcuts guide.
iPhone/iPad:
Press and hold letters to access accents. See our iOS guide.
Android:
Press and hold letters for accent options. See our Android guide.
Chromebook:
Enable US International keyboard. See our Chromebook guide.
For more detailed instructions and additional methods, see our complete Windows Alt Codes guide, Special Characters on Windows guide, or our ASCII Codes reference.
Language-Specific Guides
Need more detailed information for a specific language?
- Spanish Accents Complete Guide
- French Accents Complete Guide
- German Accents Complete Guide
- Portuguese Accents Complete Guide
- Italian Accents Complete Guide
Save This Chart
Bookmark this page for instant access whenever you need to look up an Alt code. Having this reference readily available saves time and ensures you’re always typing accents correctly.
Share with colleagues who frequently type in multiple languages. Everyone with a Windows computer can benefit from this quick reference.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Alt codes in any Windows program?
Yes! Alt codes work in Microsoft Word, Google Chrome, email clients, social media, and virtually any Windows application.
Do Alt codes work on Mac?
No, Alt codes are Windows-specific. Mac users should use Option key combinations instead.
Why doesn’t my laptop have a number pad?
Many laptops omit the number pad to save space. Look for an embedded number pad (numbers on letter keys) and use the Fn key to activate it.
Are there Alt codes for all special characters?
Most common accented characters and symbols have Alt codes. For rare characters, you may need to use Character Map or copy-paste.
Will this work on Windows 11?
Yes! Alt codes work on all Windows versions, including Windows 11.
Conclusion
Keep this Alt codes quick reference chart handy for fast, accurate typing of accented characters on Windows. Whether you’re writing in Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, Italian, or just need an occasional accented character, this chart has you covered.
Print it, bookmark it, and never struggle with accent marks again!
Need more detailed instructions? Check out our complete Windows Alt Codes guide for comprehensive tutorials, troubleshooting tips, and alternative methods.