The fastest way depends on what device and program you're using

An accented e — like é, è, ê, or ë — can be typed directly on most devices without switching keyboards or hunting through menus. The method changes depending on whether you're on Windows, Mac, or a phone, and whether you're in a word processor, email, or web form. The good news is that once you know your device's method, it takes one or two keystrokes.

The most reliable approach across all devices is to use your program's character insertion menu — every major word processor and many browsers have one. But if you type accented letters often, learning your device's keyboard shortcut will be faster.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, hold Alt and type a four-digit code on the numeric keypad (Alt+0233 for é), then release Alt.
  • On Mac, hold Option and press e, then press e again (or a different letter for other accents like è or ê).
  • On iPhone or Android, press and hold the e key until a menu appears, then tap the accented version you want.
  • In Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or most web browsers, use Insert > Special Characters or Insert > Symbol to find and click the letter you need.
  • If you type accented letters regularly, you can add a second keyboard layout to your device's language settings.

Windows: Using Alt codes

On Windows, the numeric keypad (the number pad on the right side of most keyboards) lets you type accented letters using Alt codes. These are four-digit numbers that represent specific characters.

Hold down the Alt key, type the code on the numeric keypad, then release Alt. The letter appears where your cursor is. For é, the code is Alt+0233. For è, use Alt+0232. For ê, use Alt+0234. For ë, use Alt+0235.

This only works with the numeric keypad — the number row at the top of the keyboard will not work. If your laptop does not have a numeric keypad, you can enable Num Lock on a built-in keypad (usually by holding Fn and pressing Num Lock), or use the character insertion method instead.

Mac: Using the Option key

On Mac, hold the Option key (also called Alt) and press e, then release both keys. A small accent mark appears. Now press the letter you want the accent on — usually e again for é. This two-step process works for all common accents.

For other accented e's: Option+e then e gives é. Option+` (backtick, the key left of 1) then e gives è. Option+i then e gives ê. Option+u then e gives ë. Once you release after the first keystroke, you have a moment to press the second letter, so there is no rush.

If you are in a program that does not recognize this input method, or if nothing appears after you press Option+e, try the character insertion menu instead.

iPhone and Android: The hold-and-tap method

On both iPhone and Android, press and hold the e key on your keyboard. A small menu pops up showing e and all its accented versions (é, è, ê, ë, and sometimes others). Tap the one you want, and it inserts into your text.

This works in any app — email, text messages, web browsers, notes, social media. The menu stays open as long as you hold the key, so you can take your time tapping the right letter. If you release without tapping, nothing happens and you can try again.

Word, Docs, and browsers: The Insert menu

In Microsoft Word, open the Insert menu at the top, then click Symbol (or Special Characters on Mac). A window opens showing hundreds of characters. Type "e acute" or "e grave" in the search box, or scroll down to find the accented e you want. Click it, then click Insert.

In Google Docs, go to Insert > Special Characters. The same window opens. Search for "latin small letter e with acute" or just scroll through the Latin Extended section until you find your letter.

In most web browsers, you can right-click in a text field and look for an Insert or Special Characters option — this varies by browser. If that does not work, the Alt code method (Windows) or Option method (Mac) will work in almost any web form.

Adding a second keyboard layout for frequent use

If you type accented letters regularly — because you write in French, Spanish, Portuguese, or another language — adding a second keyboard layout to your device is faster than any one-off method. Your device will let you switch between English and another language's keyboard with a single keystroke or button tap.

On Windows, go to Settings > Time & Language > Language & Region, click your language, then click Options. Under Keyboards, click Add a Keyboard and choose the layout you want (French AZERTY, Spanish, etc.). You can then switch layouts using Windows+Space or by clicking the language indicator in the taskbar.

On Mac, go to System Settings > Keyboard > Input Sources, click the + button, choose your language, then select the keyboard layout. You can switch using Control+Space or by clicking the flag icon in the menu bar.

On iPhone, go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards, tap Add New Keyboard, and choose your language. On Android, open Settings > System > Languages & Input > Virtual Keyboard, select your keyboard app, and add the language there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Alt+0233 not work on my Windows laptop?

Your laptop likely does not have a dedicated numeric keypad. Try enabling Num Lock (usually Fn+Num Lock) to activate the hidden number pad on your main keyboard, or use the Insert > Symbol menu in your program instead. The character insertion menu works everywhere.

Can I copy and paste an accented e instead of typing it?

Yes. You can type or search for an accented e online, copy it, and paste it wherever you need it. This is slower than learning the keyboard shortcut, but it works in any program and requires no setup.

Do I need to do anything different in email or web forms?

No. The Alt code, Option key, hold-and-tap, and Insert menu methods all work in email, web forms, and text fields. The only exception is some very old or poorly designed forms — if a method does not work, try a different one.

What if I need multiple accented letters, not just e?

The same methods work for all accented letters. Alt codes and Option key combos exist for à, á, â, ä, ñ, ü, and dozens of others. If you need them often, adding a second keyboard layout is the most practical solution.