The fastest way to add an umlaut depends on your device

An umlaut is the pair of dots that appears above certain letters — ä, ö, ü, and Ä, Ö, Ü in German, and similar marks in other languages. The method to type one changes depending on whether you use Windows, Mac, or a mobile device, and whether you need it once or regularly.

If you need an umlaut right now, the quickest route on most devices is to hold down the letter key until a menu appears with accented options. On Windows, you can also use a numeric code. On Mac, you hold a modifier key while typing. Mobile devices usually show accent options when you press and hold a letter.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, hold Alt and type a four-digit number code on the numeric keypad to produce an umlaut — for example, Alt+0228 makes ä.
  • On Mac, hold Option and press the letter u, then type the letter you want to accent — Option+u, then a makes ä.
  • On iPhone or Android, press and hold the letter until a menu of accented versions appears, then tap the one with an umlaut.
  • If you type umlauts often, you can add a German keyboard layout to your device so the umlaut keys appear in their standard position.

Windows: Using Alt codes

The most reliable method on Windows is the Alt code — a keyboard shortcut that produces a specific character. You hold Alt and type a number on the numeric keypad (the numbers on the right side of your keyboard, not the row across the top).

Here are the codes for common umlauts:

  • Alt+0228 = ä (lowercase a with umlaut)
  • Alt+0246 = ö (lowercase o with umlaut)
  • Alt+0252 = ü (lowercase u with umlaut)
  • Alt+0196 = Ä (uppercase A with umlaut)
  • Alt+0214 = Ö (uppercase O with umlaut)
  • Alt+0220 = Ü (uppercase U with umlaut)

To use an Alt code: hold down Alt, type the four-digit number on the numeric keypad only, then release Alt. The character appears where your cursor is. If nothing happens, make sure Num Lock is turned on — there is usually a light on your keyboard that shows whether it is active.

This method works in most programs — email, word processors, web browsers, and text fields. It does not work on laptops without a numeric keypad unless you enable a software numeric keypad, which varies by laptop model.

Mac: Using the Option key

On Mac, hold Option (also labeled Alt) and press u, then type the letter you want to accent. This is called a dead key — the first keystroke does not produce a visible character, but prepares the next one to receive the accent.

The steps are: hold Option, press u, release both keys, then type the letter. For example, Option+u, then a produces ä. Option+u, then o produces ö. Option+u, then u produces ü. Use a capital letter for the uppercase version — Option+u, then A produces Ä.

This works in any Mac application — Mail, Pages, web browsers, text editors, and most third-party programs. It is faster than Alt codes once you remember the pattern, because you only need to remember one key combination instead of memorizing individual numbers.

iPhone and iPad: Press and hold the letter

On iPhone or iPad, open any app where you can type — Notes, Mail, Messages, or a web browser. Tap the letter you want to accent and hold your finger on it for about one second. A menu pops up showing accented versions of that letter.

Swipe your finger to the umlaut version and release. For the letter a, you will see ä among the options. For o, you will see ö. For u, you will see ü. This works for both lowercase and uppercase letters — hold A to see Ä.

If the menu does not appear, make sure you are holding long enough — a quick tap will just type the letter normally. Some apps may not support this feature, but it works in all Apple apps and most third-party keyboards.

Android: Long-press or use a German keyboard

On Android, the method depends on which keyboard app you use. With most built-in keyboards, press and hold the letter until a menu appears with accented options, similar to iPhone. Tap the umlaut version and it types into your message or document.

If your keyboard does not show accent options when you long-press, you can add a German keyboard layout instead. Go to Settings, then Language and Input (or Keyboard, depending on your phone), and add German as a keyboard option. When you switch to the German keyboard, the keys are rearranged so ä, ö, and ü have their own dedicated keys, just like in Germany.

Adding a German keyboard layout to your device

If you type umlauts regularly, adding a German keyboard layout is faster than using codes or menus each time. Your device will have a key dedicated to each umlaut, positioned where German typists expect them.

On Windows: Go to Settings, then Time and Language, then Language. Click Add a Language and choose German. Once added, you can switch between English and German keyboards using the language bar in your taskbar, or by pressing Windows Key + Space.

On Mac: Go to System Preferences, then Keyboard, then Input Sources. Click the + button and add German. You can then switch keyboards using the flag icon in the top menu bar, or by pressing Control+Space.

On iPhone: Go to Settings, then General, then Keyboard, then Keyboards. Tap Add New Keyboard and choose German. When typing, tap and hold the globe icon to switch between keyboards.

On Android: Go to Settings, then Language and Input, then Virtual Keyboard (or Keyboard Settings). Select your keyboard app and add German as a language. A keyboard switcher will appear when you type, letting you switch languages.

Copying and pasting umlauts

If you need an umlaut once and none of the above methods work, you can copy one from another source and paste it into your document. Search online for "umlaut" or "German characters" and copy the character you need, then paste it where you are typing.

This is slower than learning a keyboard method, but it works on any device and in any program that supports copy and paste. It is most useful as a one-time solution when you do not have time to set up a keyboard layout or memorize a code.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Alt+0228 not work on my Windows laptop?

Most laptops do not have a separate numeric keypad. You need to enable Num Lock and use the number keys that are printed on the letter keys (usually on the right side of the keyboard). If your laptop still does not have these, use the Mac Option method or copy and paste instead.

Can I type an umlaut in a web browser search box?

Yes, all the methods above work in search boxes and web forms. Alt codes, Option+u, and press-and-hold all function the same way. The character you type will be treated like any other letter by the search engine or form.

What if I need umlauts in a different language, like French or Spanish?

French uses accents like é and ç, Spanish uses ñ. The same methods work — Alt codes exist for each character, Option+e works for French accents on Mac, and press-and-hold shows options on mobile. You can also add French or Spanish keyboard layouts to your device.

Is there a way to make my keyboard automatically type umlauts?

Yes — adding a German keyboard layout does this. Once you switch to German, the ä, ö, and ü keys are in fixed positions, just like on a German keyboard. You can switch back to English whenever you need to. This is the best solution if you type in German regularly.

Do I need to do anything special to send an umlaut in an email?

No. Once you type an umlaut using any of these methods, it is just a regular character. Email, text messages, and web forms all handle umlauts the same way they handle any other letter. The recipient will see it correctly on any device.