How to Type French Accents: All Shortcuts for Mac, Windows, iPhone & Android

How to Type French Accents on Any Device

You are writing in French, you reach for the é, and... your keyboard has no idea what you want. So you copy-paste it from Google. Every. Single. Time.

There is a better way. This guide shows you how to type every French accent quickly on Mac, Windows, iPhone, Android, and inside common apps like Word and Google Docs. Bookmark this page — you will refer to it many times.

The 5 French Accents You Need

Before the shortcuts, here is what you are typing:

| Accent | Examples | Name |

|--------|----------|------|

| ´ (aigu) | é | Accent aigu |

| grave | à, è, ù | Accent grave |

| ˆ (circonflexe) | â, ê, î, ô, û | Accent circonflexe |

| ¨ (tréma) | ë, ï, ü | Tréma |

| ¸ (cédille) | ç | Cédille |

Plus the ligature œ (in œuf, cœur, sœur).

On Mac (Easiest)

Mac has the simplest method: just hold the letter key.

Method 1: Hold the Key (Best for Beginners)

1. Press and hold any letter (e, a, c, etc.)

2. A small popup appears with accented versions

3. Click the one you want, OR press the number under it (1, 2, 3...)

Examples:

• Hold e → choose é, è, ê, or ë
• Hold a → choose à, á, â, ä
• Hold c → choose ç
• Hold o → choose œ

This works in EVERY Mac app: Safari, Word, Google Docs, Slack, Messages, Notes — everything.

Method 2: Option Key Shortcuts (Faster for Power Users)

| Accent | Shortcut | Then Press |

|--------|----------|-----------|

| é | Option + E | E |

| è | Option + ` (backtick) | E |

| ê | Option + I | E |

| ë | Option + U | E |

| à | Option + ` | A |

| â | Option + I | A |

| ç | Option + C | (releases ç directly) |

| û | Option + I | U |

| ï | Option + U | I |

| ô | Option + I | O |

| œ | Option + Q | (releases œ directly) |

For capital accents (É, È, Ê), use the same shortcut but capitalize the second letter (Shift + E instead of E).

Method 3: Switch to French Keyboard Layout

If you write a lot of French, install a French keyboard:

1. System Settings → Keyboard → Input Sources → +

2. Select French - PC (recommended) or French

3. Press Control + Space to switch between layouts

Now your keyboard types French accents natively — but the letter positions change. AZERTY (French standard) puts A, Z, Q, M in different spots than QWERTY.

On Windows

Windows is a bit trickier. You have three options.

Method 1: Alt Codes (Classic, Reliable)

Hold Alt and type the number on the numeric keypad (not the top row).

| Accent | Alt Code |

|--------|---------|

| é | Alt + 0233 |

| É | Alt + 0201 |

| è | Alt + 0232 |

| È | Alt + 0200 |

| ê | Alt + 0234 |

| à | Alt + 0224 |

| â | Alt + 0226 |

| ç | Alt + 0231 |

| Ç | Alt + 0199 |

| ô | Alt + 0244 |

| û | Alt + 0251 |

| ù | Alt + 0249 |

| ï | Alt + 0239 |

| ë | Alt + 0235 |

| œ | Alt + 0156 |

| Π| Alt + 0140 |

Important: You must use the numeric keypad (the number block on the right side of full keyboards). On laptops without one, this method does not work — use Method 2 instead.

Method 2: US International Keyboard (Best for Laptops)

This is the easiest method for Windows users who write French often.

Install it:

1. Settings → Time & Language → Language → Add a language

2. Add English (United States), then add Keyboard → US International

3. Switch with Windows + Space

Then type accents like this:

| Accent | Shortcut |

|--------|---------|

| é | Type ' then e |

| è | Type ` then e |

| ê | Type ^ then e |

| à | Type ` then a |

| â | Type ^ then a |

| ç | Type ' then c |

| ô | Type ^ then o |

| ë | Type " then e |

Watch out: With this layout, typing ' o gives ó. To type a regular apostrophe, press ' then space.

Method 3: French Keyboard Layout (For French Writing)

If you write mostly in French, install the French (AZERTY) keyboard. Accents are direct keys, but letter positions change significantly (A↔Q, W↔Z, M moves).

In Microsoft Word Specifically

Word has its own built-in shortcuts:

| Accent | Shortcut |

|--------|---------|

| é | Ctrl + ' then E |

| è | Ctrl + ` then E |

| ê | Ctrl + Shift + ^ then E |

| ç | Ctrl + , then C |

| ô | Ctrl + Shift + ^ then O |

These work even with a standard US keyboard, no layout change needed.

On iPhone and iPad

Apple's iOS keyboard is brilliant for accents.

Method 1: Hold the Letter (Universal)

Press and hold any letter, and the accented versions appear above. Slide your finger to the one you want.

• Hold e → é, è, ê, ë, ē, ę
• Hold a → à, á, â, ä, ã, å
• Hold c → ç, ć, č
• Hold n → ñ, ń
• Hold o → ô, œ, ø, ō, õ, ö, ó, ò

Method 2: Add a French Keyboard

For heavy French writing:

1. Settings → General → Keyboard → Keyboards → Add New Keyboard

2. Select French (France)

3. Switch with the globe icon at the bottom-left of the keyboard

This activates autocorrect in French and shows accent suggestions automatically.

On Android

Method 1: Hold the Letter

Same as iPhone — press and hold any letter to see accent options. Slide to select.

Method 2: Gboard French Keyboard

Google's Gboard is excellent for French.

1. Open Gboard settings

2. Languages → Add Keyboard

3. Select French (France)

This gives you:

• French autocorrect
• Smart accent suggestions
• French swipe typing

Switch between keyboards by tapping the globe icon or swiping the space bar.

On Linux

Linux users have multiple options:

Compose Key Method

Set up a Compose key (often Right Alt). Then:

• Compose + ' + e → é
• Compose + ` + e → è
• Compose + ^ + e → ê
• Compose + , + c → ç

Direct Key Method

Use xmodmap or the GNOME keyboard settings to set up dead keys, similar to the US International layout on Windows.

In Google Docs and Browser Apps

Google Docs has built-in accent shortcuts that work on any OS:

| Accent | Shortcut |

|--------|---------|

| é | Insert → Special characters, search "e acute" |

| Many others | Insert → Special characters → search the name |

But honestly, on Google Docs your OS-level shortcuts (Option/Alt + key) work too. The Mac and Windows International methods are faster.

Quick Reference Card

Save this for daily use:

Mac (Universal)

• Hold the letter → choose accent from popup

Windows (Best Method)

• Install US International keyboard
• Type ' + letter for acute (é)
• Type ` + letter for grave (è)
• Type ^ + letter for circumflex (ê)

iPhone / Android (Universal)

• Hold the letter → choose accent

Microsoft Word (Any OS)

• Ctrl + ' then letter for acute
• Ctrl + ` then letter for grave
• Ctrl + Shift + ^ then letter for circumflex

The Lazy Method: Copy-Paste These Characters

If you only need accents occasionally, just bookmark and copy:

Lowercase: é è ê ë à â ä ç î ï ô ö ù û ü œ

Uppercase: É È Ê Ë À Â Ä Ç Î Ï Ô Ö Ù Û Ü Œ

Drag this above into a sticky note and you have a permanent toolbar.

Why Bother Learning These?

You can absolutely type French without accents and most native speakers will understand you. But:

1. Some words completely change meaning with accents

• a (has) vs à (to)
• ou (or) vs où (where)
• sale (dirty) vs salé (salty)

2. Professional contexts require accents — résumés, emails, business writing

3. DELF / TEF exams penalize missing accents in the writing section

4. It looks lazy and uneducated when you write to French people

Learn the method that fits your main device. After two weeks, accents become muscle memory and you stop thinking about them.

Practice with French Vocabulary

The fastest way to make accents automatic is to practice typing real French words every day:

• Type out tomorrow's grocery list in French
• Send one French message per day to a friend or yourself
• Use our free flashcards at French Keys to drill words containing accents (café, voilà, déjà, leçon, naïf)
• Write captions in French for your photos
• Use our "Learn French by Coloring" book on Amazon — the color keys and French number words give you familiar accent practice (Zéro, Dix-sept, Vingt-quatre)

For more help with French pronunciation and grammar, book a free 30-minute assessment with Magali at French Keys to start learning French the right way — with accents and all.

À bientôt!