The fastest way depends on what device you're using
Adding an accent mark takes different steps on Windows, Mac, iPhone, and Android — and the easiest method on one device won't work on another. On a Mac, you hold down a letter key until a menu appears. On Windows, you use a numeric code. On phones, you long-press the letter. None of these methods is harder than the others; they're just different.
The method you choose also depends on how often you need accents. If you type them once a month, the long-press method works fine. If you're writing in French or Spanish regularly, setting up a dedicated keyboard layout saves time and frustration.
Key Takeaways
- On Mac, hold down a letter key to see accent options pop up as a menu you can click or number.
- On Windows, hold Alt and type a numeric code on the number pad, then release Alt to insert the character.
- On iPhone and Android, long-press any letter to see accent variants, then slide your finger to the one you want.
- If you type accented text regularly, adding a second keyboard layout (French AZERTY, Spanish, etc.) is faster than using codes or menus each time.
- Copy-paste from a reference document works as a backup on any device when you can't remember the code or menu option.
How to add accents on a Mac
On macOS, hold down any letter key and a small menu appears showing accent variants. For example, hold down the e key and you'll see é, è, ê, ë, and others. Click the number below the accent you want, or click the accent itself. Release the key if you're not seeing the menu — sometimes it takes a moment to appear.
If the menu doesn't show up, your Mac may have a setting turned off. Go to System Preferences (or System Settings on newer Macs), click Keyboard, and make sure "Press and hold key to show accents" is enabled. On very new Macs running Sonoma or later, this setting moved to Keyboard > Key Repeat.
If you type accents constantly, adding a second keyboard layout is faster than using the menu each time. Go to System Settings > Keyboard > Input Sources, click the plus sign, and add French, Spanish, German, or another language. You can then switch between layouts using the flag icon in the menu bar or by pressing Control + Space.
How to add accents on Windows
Windows uses numeric codes called Alt codes. Hold down the Alt key on the left side of your keyboard, type a number on the numeric keypad (the numbers on the right side of your keyboard), then release Alt. The accented character appears. For example, Alt + 0233 produces é.
Common Alt codes include: Alt + 0225 for á, Alt + 0233 for é, Alt + 0237 for í, Alt + 0243 for ó, and Alt + 0250 for ú. For uppercase accents, use Alt + 0193 for Á, Alt + 0201 for É, and so on. If you're typing in a language other than English regularly, write down the codes you use most and keep them in a note on your desktop.
If Alt codes don't work, you may be using a laptop without a separate numeric keypad. Try holding Alt and using the number row at the top of your keyboard instead, or enable Num Lock (usually Fn + Num Lock on laptops) to set up the hidden numeric keypad built into the letter keys. If that still doesn't work, the easiest backup is to add a second keyboard layout: go to Settings > Time & Language > Language & Region, click your language, select Options, and add a layout like Spanish (Spain) or French (France).
How to add accents on iPhone and Android
On both iPhone and Android, long-press (press and hold) any letter and a menu of accent options pops up. Slide your finger to the accented version you want and release. For example, long-press e and you'll see é, è, ê, ë, and ẽ. This works in any app — email, text messages, notes, web browsers.
If the menu doesn't appear, make sure you're pressing and holding long enough — usually one to two seconds. On Android, the menu may appear above the letter instead of below it, depending on your keyboard app. If you're using a third-party keyboard like Gboard or SwiftKey, the menu style may look different, but the long-press method works the same way.
On iPhone, you can also add a second keyboard layout for faster typing. Go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards, tap Add New Keyboard, and select a language like French or Spanish. Then when you're typing, press and hold the globe icon (or space bar, depending on your iOS version) to switch layouts when ready.
When to use a second keyboard layout instead of codes or menus
If you type accented text only occasionally — a few times a month — the menu or long-press method is fine. But if you're writing emails in French, taking notes in Spanish, or working on a document with many accents, adding a second keyboard layout saves time. You switch layouts once and type normally; no codes, no menus, no pauses.
Setting up a layout takes five minutes and works on every device. On Mac, go to System Settings > Keyboard > Input Sources and add the language. On Windows, go to Settings > Time & Language > Language & Region, select your language, and add a layout. On iPhone, go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards and add the language. On Android, open your keyboard settings (usually in the app itself, not in system settings) and add a layout.
Once you've added a layout, you can switch between English and your second language by clicking a flag or icon in the menu bar (Mac and Windows) or pressing and holding the space bar (iPhone and Android). Your muscle memory will pick up the new key positions within a few days of regular use.
Copy-paste as a backup when you're stuck
If you can't remember the Alt code, the menu won't appear, or you're on an unfamiliar device, copy and paste works on any device. Create a straightforward text file on your computer or phone with the accented letters you use most — é, à, ñ, ü, and so on — and keep it open in another window or tab. When you need an accent, copy the letter from your reference file and paste it where you're typing.
This method is slower than the others, but it's reliable and requires no setup. You can also search online for "French accents" or "Spanish accents" and copy directly from a reference page if you don't have your own file handy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why don't Alt codes work on my Windows laptop?
Laptops usually don't have a separate numeric keypad. Try holding Alt and typing on the number row at the top of your keyboard instead. If that doesn't work, enable Num Lock (usually Fn + Num Lock) to set up the hidden numeric keypad in your letter keys, then try the Alt code again. If neither works, add a second keyboard layout in Settings > Time & Language > Language & Region.
Can I use accent marks in passwords?
Yes, but check the website or app first. Some older systems don't accept special characters in passwords. If a site rejects your accented password, try removing the accent or using a different character. Most modern sites accept accents without problems.
How do I type an accent on a character that doesn't have one in the menu?
If you long-press a letter and the accent you want doesn't appear, you'll need to use an Alt code (Windows), a keyboard layout (any device), or copy-paste. For example, if you need an accented w, most keyboards don't offer that option in the menu, so adding a second layout or using copy-paste is your best bet.
Do I have to use the same keyboard layout for the whole document?
No. You can switch layouts as you type. On Mac, press Control + Space. On Windows, press Alt + Shift or Windows + Space (depending on your settings). On iPhone and Android, press and hold the space bar or globe icon. Switch to French to type a French word, then switch back to English. Your document will contain both languages without any problem.
What's the difference between a keyboard layout and a keyboard app?
A keyboard layout is a setting in your operating system that changes which keys produce which letters — French AZERTY, for example, puts a where q normally is. A keyboard app (like Gboard or SwiftKey on Android) is a separate program that replaces your default keyboard entirely. Both can help with accents, but layouts are built into your device and don't require installation.