.appUmlauts on the keyboard: ü, ä, ö, ß
On Windows, ü is Alt + 0252, ä is Alt + 0228, ö is Alt + 0246 and ß is Alt + 0223 - type the digits on the numeric keypad. On a Mac, press Option + U and then the letter: Option + U, then U, gives ü. ß is Option + S.
- üu with umlaut
- äa with umlaut
- öo with umlaut
- ßsharp s (eszett)
Ways to type it on Windows and Mac
| System | Method | Keys |
|---|---|---|
| Windows | Alt code | ü Alt + 0252, ä Alt + 0228, ö Alt + 0246, ß Alt + 0223 on the numeric keypad |
| Windows, US-International layout | Accent key, then the letter | " then the letter: ü ä ö |
| Word for Windows | Keyboard shortcut | Ctrl + Shift + : then the letter: ü ä ö |
| Windows 11 | Symbols panel | Win + period, then the Symbols tab |
| Mac | Accent key, then the letter | Option + U, then the letter: ü ä ö · Option + S: ß |
| Mac | Accent menu | Press and hold the letter, then press the number under the variant |
Press the shortcut on your keyboard - the keys light up on the drawing and the row with the character is highlighted in the table.
Umlauts on a laptop: Win + period opens the symbols panel
Shortcuts for related characters
| Character | Name | Windows | Mac | Copy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ü | u with umlaut | Alt + 0252 (numeric keypad) | Option + U, then U | |
| Ü | capital U with umlaut | Alt + 0220 (numeric keypad) | Option + U, then Shift + U | |
| ä | a with umlaut | Alt + 0228 (numeric keypad) | Option + U, then A | |
| Ä | capital A with umlaut | Alt + 0196 (numeric keypad) | Option + U, then Shift + A | |
| ö | o with umlaut | Alt + 0246 (numeric keypad) | Option + U, then O | |
| Ö | capital O with umlaut | Alt + 0214 (numeric keypad) | Option + U, then Shift + O | |
| ß | sharp s (eszett) | Alt + 0223 (numeric keypad) | Option + S |
Mac shortcuts in the table are for the U.S. layout.
Type German often? Add a German layout
In Windows 11: Settings → Time & language → Language & region → the three dots next to your language → Language options → Add a keyboard → German. Switch between layouts with Win + Space. On the German layout, Z and Y swap places and punctuation sits elsewhere.
If you only need ü, ä and ö now and then, the US-International layout is easier: " and then u gives ü, and the rest of the keyboard stays where it was.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I type ü on a keyboard?
- On Windows, Alt + 0252 on the numeric keypad (with Num Lock on), or " and then u on the US-International layout. On a Mac, Option + U and then U, or press and hold u.
- How do I type ß?
- Alt + 0223 on Windows; Option + S on a Mac. If you can’t type ß, write ss.
- What can I use instead of an umlaut?
- In German you write the letter followed by e: ue for ü, ae for ä, oe for ö.
Shortcuts without looking
Touch typists press Shift and Alt with the same finger every time, without glancing at the keys. Check your speed in the free test or start the course from the first lesson.