The quickest keyboard methods are:
| Device | Lowercase ç | Uppercase Ç |
|---|---|---|
| Windows | Alt + 0231 | Alt + 0199 |
| Mac | Option + C | Option + Shift + C |
| iPhone or Android | Press and hold C | Tap Shift, then press and hold C |
On Windows, Alt codes require a numeric keypad. If your keyboard does not have one, use one of the alternatives below.
How to Type ç on Windows
Use the Windows Alt code
To type a lowercase ç:
- Turn on Num Lock.
- Hold down the left Alt key.
- Type 0231 on the numeric keypad.
- Release Alt.
To type an uppercase Ç, use Alt + 0199.
Be sure to include the initial zero. The numbers across the top of the keyboard do not work for this method—you need the separate numeric keypad.
If your keyboard has no numeric keypad
The simplest solution is to copy ç or Ç from this page. You can also use the free Accent Character Finder to find and copy other accented letters.
Windows also includes Character Map:
- Open the Start menu.
- Search for Character Map.
- Find and select ç or Ç.
- Choose Select, then Copy.
- Paste the character into your document.
In Microsoft Word and Outlook
Many desktop versions of Word and Outlook provide an additional shortcut:
- Press Ctrl + comma, release the keys, and then press C for ç.
- Press Ctrl + comma, release the keys, and then press Shift + C for Ç.
This shortcut is specific to supported Microsoft applications. It is not a general Windows shortcut.
How to Type ç on Mac
With the standard ABC or U.S. keyboard input source:
- Press Option + C for ç.
- Press Option + Shift + C for Ç.
Unlike many Mac accent shortcuts, this is a direct combination. You do not need to press a second letter afterward.
Use the press-and-hold menu
You can also press and hold the C key until a character menu appears. Select ç with your mouse, arrow keys or the number shown beneath it.
For uppercase Ç, turn on Shift or Caps Lock before holding the C key.
Apple notes that the accent menu is not available in every application. If holding the key does nothing, use the Option-key shortcut or Character Viewer instead.
Use Character Viewer
For a visual method:
- Press Control + Command + Space.
- Search for cedilla.
- Select ç or Ç to insert it.
Character Viewer is particularly useful if your current keyboard layout does not recognize the Option + C shortcut.
How to Type ç on iPhone and iPad
- Press and hold the C key on the onscreen keyboard.
- When the character options appear, slide your finger to ç.
- Release your finger.
For uppercase Ç, tap Shift before pressing and holding C.
How to Type ç on Android
On Gboard and many other Android keyboards:
- Press and hold C.
- Slide to ç.
- Release your finger.
If ç does not appear, your available characters may depend on your keyboard app or enabled languages. Try adding a French or Portuguese keyboard, switching to Gboard, or copying the character from this page.
What Is the Mark Under ç?
The small hook beneath the letter is called a cedilla. The character is therefore called c with cedilla or c-cedilla.
In French, the cedilla tells you to pronounce c like s before a, o or u. You can see it in words such as:
- français
- garçon
- leçon
- ça
The cedilla serves a similar purpose in Portuguese words such as:
- coração
- açúcar
- criança
- serviço
You can learn about the other characters used in these languages in the complete guides to French accent marks and Portuguese accents.
Other languages also use ç, sometimes with a different sound. In Turkish, for example, ç represents a sound similar to ch in the English word chair.
Be careful not to confuse ç with ć or č. They are separate characters with different diacritical marks.
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Why Isn’t the Shortcut Working?
The Alt code produces the wrong character
Confirm that you typed 0231 or 0199, including the leading zero. Use the numeric keypad rather than the number row and make sure Num Lock is on.
Your laptop has no number pad
Use copy and paste, Character Map or the Accent Character Finder. In Word and Outlook, try Ctrl + comma, followed by C.
Option + C does not work on your Mac
Check that you are using the ABC, U.S. or another compatible input source. Some applications also assign Option + C to their own commands. The press-and-hold menu or Character Viewer provides a reliable alternative.
Holding C does not show ç
The available choices depend on your device, application, keyboard app and enabled languages. Add a keyboard for a language that uses ç, or copy the character directly.
More Accent-Typing Help
Need a different character? Use the Accent Character Finder to find and copy accented letters from several languages.