What an umlaut is and why you might need one

An umlaut is a pair of dots that sits above a letter — you see it in words like "naïve," "Müller," or the German word "Übermensch." The dots change how you pronounce the letter underneath. In English, umlauts appear mostly in borrowed words from German, French, or other languages, or in proper names. You might need to type one if you are writing about a person with an umlaut in their name, quoting text that uses them, or working in a field where they are standard.

Your keyboard does not have a dedicated umlaut key, so you have to create one using a combination of keys or a menu. The method depends on whether you use Windows, Mac, or a Chromebook, and which program you are typing in. The fastest route is usually a keyboard shortcut that your operating system recognizes everywhere.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, hold Alt and type a four-digit code on the numeric keypad to produce an umlaut — for example, Alt+0220 makes Ü.
  • On Mac, hold Option and press the U key, then type the letter you want the umlaut on — for example, Option+U then O makes ö.
  • On Chromebook, hold Ctrl+Shift+U, type the Unicode code point, then press Space or Enter to insert the character.
  • If you type umlauts often, you can add a second keyboard layout to your operating system so you can switch between English and German (or another language) with one keystroke.
  • Most word processors also have an Insert menu where you can search for and insert special characters without memorizing codes.

Adding an umlaut on Windows using Alt codes

Windows recognizes four-digit codes that you type on the numeric keypad (the number pad on the right side of most keyboards). Each code produces a different accented letter. The codes for the most common umlauts are: Alt+0196 for Ä, Alt+0228 for ä, Alt+0214 for Ö, Alt+0246 for ö, Alt+0220 for Ü, and Alt+0252 for ü.

To type one, hold down the Alt key, type the four digits on the numeric keypad, then release Alt. The character appears where your cursor is. This works in most programs — email, word processors, web browsers, text editors. If you are on a laptop without a dedicated numeric keypad, you may need to enable Num Lock first, or use the Fn key in combination with the number row at the top of your keyboard.

If you do not know the code for the letter you need, write it down or take a screenshot before you start typing. Codes are consistent across Windows, so once you memorize the ones you use most, the process becomes automatic.

Adding an umlaut on Mac using Option key combinations

On Mac, hold the Option key (also called Alt on some keyboards) and press U, then release both keys. Your cursor will show a small accent mark waiting for input. Type the letter you want the umlaut on — A, E, I, O, U, or Y — and the umlaut appears above it. For example, Option+U then A produces ä.

This method works in any program where you can type text: email, word processors, web browsers, notes apps, and messaging. The two-step process (Option+U first, then the letter) takes a moment to get used to, but it is faster than hunting through menus once you practice it a few times.

If you want to type the same umlaut repeatedly, you can also add a German keyboard layout to your Mac. Go to System Preferences, select Keyboard, click Input Sources, and add German. Then you can switch between English and German layouts using the flag icon in the menu bar, and type umlauts directly without the Option key.

Adding an umlaut on Chromebook

Chromebook uses Unicode input. Hold Ctrl+Shift+U, type the Unicode code point for the character you want, then press Space or Enter. For example, Ctrl+Shift+U then 00FC then Space produces ü. The codes are: 00C4 for Ä, 00E4 for ä, 00D6 for Ö, 00F6 for ö, 00DC for Ü, and 00FC for ü.

This method works in most Chromebook apps and web pages. If you find yourself typing umlauts often, the faster approach is to add a German keyboard layout. Open Settings, go to Languages and Input, and add German. You can then switch layouts using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Space, and type umlauts as if you were using a German keyboard.

Using the Insert menu in word processors

If you do not want to memorize codes or key combinations, most word processors let you insert special characters through a menu. In Microsoft Word, click Insert, then Special Character (or Symbol on older versions). A window opens showing hundreds of characters. Search for "umlaut" or scroll to find the letter you need, click it, then click Insert. The character appears in your document.

Google Docs works similarly: click Insert, then Special Characters, then search or browse for the umlaut you want. LibreOffice Writer uses Insert, then Special Character. This method is slower than a keyboard shortcut, but it requires no memorization and works the same way on any computer. If you use the same umlaut repeatedly in a document, you can also copy and paste it from one place to another.

Adding a second keyboard layout for frequent typing

If you type umlauts regularly — because you work with German text, write about German topics, or have a name with an umlaut — adding a second keyboard layout is faster than any code or menu. Your operating system can switch between English and German (or another language) with a single keystroke, so you type umlauts directly without thinking about codes.

On Windows, go to Settings, select Time and Language, click Language, then add German. On Mac, go to System Preferences, select Keyboard, click Input Sources, then add German. On Chromebook, go to Settings, select Languages and Input, then add German. Once added, you can switch layouts using a keyboard shortcut or a menu icon in your taskbar or menu bar. When German is active, the keys on your keyboard produce German characters, including umlauts.

This approach takes a few minutes to set up but saves time if you type umlauts more than once a week. You can switch back to English when ready whenever you need to, so there is no downside to having both layouts available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I copy and paste an umlaut instead of typing it?

Yes. If you find an umlaut in a document or web page, you can select it, copy it (Ctrl+C on Windows or Cmd+C on Mac), then paste it (Ctrl+V or Cmd+V) wherever you need it. This works in any program. It is slower than a keyboard shortcut if you need many umlauts, but it requires no memorization.

Why do some websites show a question mark or strange character instead of an umlaut?

The website or email program is not set to read the character encoding that the umlaut was saved in. This is rare on modern websites, but it can happen with older systems or emails sent from certain programs. Refreshing the page or changing the character encoding in your browser settings usually fixes it. If you are sending text with umlauts to someone else, save it as UTF-8 to avoid this problem.

Do I need to type an umlaut in English words like "naïve"?

No. English does not require umlauts. You can write "naive" without the dots and it is correct English. The dots are optional in English and are used mainly to show the word's origin or to clarify pronunciation in specialized writing. Use them if the style guide you are following requires them, but they are not necessary for English text to be correct.

What if my numeric keypad does not work for Alt codes?

Make sure Num Lock is on — there is usually a light on the Num Lock key that shows whether it is active. If you are on a laptop, you may need to hold Fn while typing the numbers, or use a different method like the Insert menu or a second keyboard layout. Try the Mac or Chromebook method instead if you are on those systems.