The fastest way depends on your device and keyboard layout

On Windows, hold Alt and type a number code on the numeric keypad — for example, Alt+0233 produces é. On Mac, hold Option and press the letter, then press the letter again (Option+e, then e makes é). On iPhone and iPad, press and hold a letter to see accent options, then slide to the one you want. On Android, long-press the letter the same way. Chromebooks use Ctrl+Shift+U, then type the Unicode code and press Space or Enter.

Each method works within the program you're already using — email, documents, messaging apps, social media. You don't need to install anything or switch programs. The codes and key combinations stay the same whether you're typing in a web browser, a word processor, or a text field on a website.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows Alt codes require the numeric keypad and a four-digit number, while Mac uses Option plus the letter twice.
  • Mobile devices let you long-press any letter to see and select accent options without memorizing codes.
  • Chromebooks use Ctrl+Shift+U followed by a Unicode number, which works across all programs on the device.
  • Once you learn the method for your device, the same steps work in email, documents, web forms, and messaging apps.

Windows: Alt codes on the numeric keypad

Windows uses Alt codes — you hold Alt and type a number on the numeric keypad (the number pad on the right side of most keyboards). Each accent mark and letter combination has its own code. Common ones include Alt+0233 for é, Alt+0224 for à, Alt+0241 for ñ, and Alt+0252 for ü.

The numeric keypad is essential — the number row at the top of the keyboard will not work. If your laptop doesn't have a numeric keypad, you can enable Num Lock and use the number keys built into the letter keys (usually marked with numbers in the corner), or you can use the on-screen keyboard. Open Settings, search for "on-screen keyboard," and a floating keyboard will appear on your screen with a numeric pad you can click.

A full list of Alt codes is available through a web search for "Windows Alt codes," but the most common accents are: à (Alt+0224), á (Alt+0225), â (Alt+0226), ä (Alt+0228), é (Alt+0233), è (Alt+0232), ê (Alt+0234), ë (Alt+0235), í (Alt+0237), ì (Alt+0236), î (Alt+0238), ï (Alt+0239), ó (Alt+0243), ò (Alt+0242), ô (Alt+0244), ö (Alt+0246), ú (Alt+0250), ù (Alt+0249), û (Alt+0251), ü (Alt+0252), and ñ (Alt+0241).

Mac: Option key plus the letter

On Mac, hold Option (also called Alt) and press the letter you want to accent, then press the letter again. For example, to type é, hold Option and press e, then press e again. To type à, hold Option and press ` (the backtick, usually in the top left), then press a.

Different accent marks use different Option combinations. Option+u makes the umlaut accent (ü, ö, ä), Option+i makes the acute accent (é, á, ó), Option+` makes the grave accent (è, à, ò), Option+n makes the tilde (ñ), and Option+e makes the acute accent as well. Once you press the Option combination, your Mac shows a small accent menu, and you press the letter you want to accent.

If you use accents often, you can also add a language or keyboard layout to your Mac. Go to System Preferences, select Keyboard, then Input Sources, and add a layout like "French" or "Spanish." Then you can switch between layouts using the flag icon in the menu bar, and the keyboard will type accented letters directly when you press certain keys.

iPhone and iPad: Long-press any letter

On iPhone and iPad, press and hold any letter on the keyboard. A menu pops up showing that letter with different accent options. Slide your finger to the accent you want and release. For example, long-press e and you'll see é, è, ê, ë, and ē — slide to the one you want and lift your finger.

This works in any app that uses the standard keyboard: email, Messages, Notes, web browsers, social media apps, and text fields on websites. You don't need to memorize codes or use modifier keys. The accents available depend on the letter — some letters have more options than others, and less common accents may not appear.

Android: Long-press the letter

Android works the same way as iPhone and iPad. Long-press the letter on your keyboard and a menu appears with accent options. Slide to the one you want and release. The exact accents shown depend on your keyboard app — most Android keyboards (Google Keyboard, Samsung Keyboard, etc.) show common accents for each letter.

If your keyboard app doesn't show the accent you need, you can install a different keyboard from the Google Play Store. Search for "accent keyboard" or "multilingual keyboard" to find options that support more languages and accent marks. Once installed, go to Settings, select Languages and Input, and choose the new keyboard as your default.

Chromebook: Ctrl+Shift+U and Unicode codes

On Chromebook, hold Ctrl+Shift+U, type the four-digit Unicode code for the character, then press Space or Enter. For example, Ctrl+Shift+U, then 00e9, then Space produces é. This method works across all Chromebook programs and websites.

Common Unicode codes for accented letters are: à (00e0), á (00e1), â (00e2), ä (00e4), é (00e9), è (00e8), ê (00ea), ë (00eb), í (00ed), ì (00ec), î (00ee), ï (00ef), ó (00f3), ò (00f2), ô (00f4), ö (00f6), ú (00fa), ù (00f9), û (00fb), ü (00fc), and ñ (00f1). You can also add a language keyboard layout to your Chromebook through Settings, which lets you type accented letters directly without codes.

Copy and paste from a reference list

If you only need accents occasionally and don't want to memorize codes, you can keep a simple text file or bookmark with the accented letters you use most. Copy the letter you need and paste it into your document or message. This works on any device and in any program.

You can also search for "accent mark generator" or "diacritical mark tool" online and find web pages where you can type or click to build the text you need, then copy the result. This is slower than using keyboard shortcuts, but it requires no memorization and works when you're on an unfamiliar device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why doesn't Alt+number work on my Windows laptop?

Your laptop likely doesn't have a dedicated numeric keypad. Try enabling Num Lock and using the number keys built into the letter keys (usually marked with small numbers), or open the on-screen keyboard from Settings and click the numbers there. Some laptops require you to hold Fn while typing the numbers.

Can I type accents in web forms and social media?

Yes. The same keyboard shortcuts work in email, web forms, text fields on websites, and social media apps. The accent mark is just a character, so any program that accepts text will accept it. Some older systems may have trouble displaying certain accents, but modern browsers and apps handle them correctly.

What if I need accents I don't see in the long-press menu on my phone?

Install a different keyboard app from your phone's app store. Many third-party keyboards support more languages and show more accent options. Once installed, go to Settings, select Keyboard or Languages and Input, and switch to the new keyboard as your default.

Is there a way to type accents without memorizing codes?

On Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Android, you can use long-press or Option key methods that don't require memorization. On Windows and Chromebook, you can add a language keyboard layout (French, Spanish, German, etc.) so accented letters are typed directly without codes. You can also copy and paste from a reference list or online tool.