1-minute answer
The German/umlaut letters are ä ö ü — plus ë ï ÿ in other languages. On a Mac press Option + U, release, then the vowel. On Windows use the US-International layout (" then the vowel) or an Alt code (Alt + 0228 = ä). In Word press Ctrl + Shift + :, release, then the vowel. Or tap any key below to copy it.
01 All shortcuts at a glance
| Platform | Shortcut | |
|---|---|---|
| ä <span style="opacity:.6">a-umlaut</span> | Windows Alt+0228 · Mac Option+U then the letter · Word Ctrl+Shift+: then the letter |
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| Ä <span style="opacity:.6">A-umlaut</span> | Windows Alt+0196 · Mac Option+U then the letter · Word Ctrl+Shift+: then the letter |
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| ö <span style="opacity:.6">o-umlaut</span> | Windows Alt+0246 · Mac Option+U then the letter · Word Ctrl+Shift+: then the letter |
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| Ö <span style="opacity:.6">O-umlaut</span> | Windows Alt+0214 · Mac Option+U then the letter · Word Ctrl+Shift+: then the letter |
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| ü <span style="opacity:.6">u-umlaut</span> | Windows Alt+0252 · Mac Option+U then the letter · Word Ctrl+Shift+: then the letter |
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| Ü <span style="opacity:.6">U-umlaut</span> | Windows Alt+0220 · Mac Option+U then the letter · Word Ctrl+Shift+: then the letter |
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| ë <span style="opacity:.6">e-umlaut</span> | Windows Alt+0235 · Mac Option+U then the letter · Word Ctrl+Shift+: then the letter |
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| Ë <span style="opacity:.6">E-umlaut</span> | Windows Alt+0203 · Mac Option+U then the letter · Word Ctrl+Shift+: then the letter |
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| ï <span style="opacity:.6">i-umlaut</span> | Windows Alt+0239 · Mac Option+U then the letter · Word Ctrl+Shift+: then the letter |
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| Ï <span style="opacity:.6">I-umlaut</span> | Windows Alt+0207 · Mac Option+U then the letter · Word Ctrl+Shift+: then the letter |
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| ÿ <span style="opacity:.6">y-umlaut</span> | Windows Alt+0255 · Mac Option+U then the letter · Word Ctrl+Shift+: then the letter |
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| Ÿ <span style="opacity:.6">Y-umlaut</span> | Windows Alt+0376 · Mac Option+U then the letter · Word Ctrl+Shift+: then the letter |
02 Step by step, per platform
A real, followable procedure for every platform — not a thin restatement of the shortcut.
Windows — US-International keyboard
- Add the United States-International keyboard in Settings → Time & language → Language.
- Press the " (double-quote) key — nothing appears yet, it is a "dead key".
- Type the vowel: a e i o u y → ä ë ï ö ü ÿ. (Press space after " to get a literal quote.)
Windows — Alt codes
- Make sure Num Lock is on.
- Hold Alt and type the four-digit code on the numeric keypad: 0228=ä, 0246=ö, 0252=ü.
- Release Alt — the umlaut letter appears. Capitals use 0196=Ä, 0214=Ö, 0220=Ü.
Mac
- Press Option + U together, then release — this arms the umlaut (diaeresis) dead key.
- Type the vowel: a e i o u y → ä ë ï ö ü ÿ.
- For capitals, hold Shift when you type the vowel (Option+U, then Shift+A → Ä).
Microsoft Word
- Press Ctrl + Shift + : (the colon key) together, then release.
- Type the vowel immediately: a e i o u → ä ë ï ö ü.
- Or type the code point (e.g. 00F6) and press Alt + X to fold it into ö.
Google Docs
- Open Insert → Special characters.
- Search umlaut or diaeresis, or the letter name (e.g. "latin small letter o with diaeresis").
- Click the character to insert it.
03 Characters in this set
Latin Small Letter A With Diaeresis
Latin Capital Letter A With Diaeresis
Latin Small Letter O With Diaeresis
Latin Capital Letter O With Diaeresis
Latin Small Letter U With Diaeresis
Latin Capital Letter U With Diaeresis
Latin Small Letter E With Diaeresis
Latin Capital Letter E With Diaeresis
Latin Small Letter I With Diaeresis
Latin Capital Letter I With Diaeresis
Latin Small Letter Y With Diaeresis
Latin Capital Letter Y With Diaeresis
04 Troubleshooting & confusables
| Looks like it | But it's actually | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| Umlaut vs diaeresis | Same two dots, different job | German ä ö ü = umlaut (changes the vowel); French ë ï and English naïve = diaeresis (splits a vowel pair). Identical glyph. |
| ü vs ū | Two dots vs a bar (macron) | ü is the umlaut; ū (U+016B) is a long vowel — different letter. |
| ß next to ä ö ü | Eszett, not an umlaut | German also uses ß (sharp s) — see the German-letters guide; it is not a vowel with dots. |
05 FAQ
What are the umlaut letters?
ä, ö and ü (lower and upper case) are the German umlauts. The same two-dot mark also appears on ë, ï and ÿ in French, Dutch and other languages, where it is called a diaeresis.
What is the fastest way to type ä ö ü on Windows?
Add the US-International keyboard and press the double-quote key then the vowel, or hold Alt and type 0228 (ä), 0246 (ö), 0252 (ü) on the numeric keypad.
How do I type an umlaut on a Mac?
Press Option+U, release, then type the vowel — Option+U then a gives ä. Hold Shift on the vowel for the capital.
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