How to Type Dutch Accents on Any Keyboard
Dutch uses the diaeresis (trema) to show that two vowels are pronounced separately, as in ë and ï, and acute accents for emphasis. Here is how to type each of them on a computer or phone, whether you write Dutch every day or only need the odd name.
Dutch letters: á é í ó ú ë ï ö ü è
Shortcut chart
| Letter | Windows | Mac | Word | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| á | Alt+0225 | Option+E, then A | Ctrl+', then A | hold a |
| é | Alt+0233 | Option+E, then E | Ctrl+', then E | hold e |
| í | Alt+0237 | Option+E, then I | Ctrl+', then I | hold i |
| ó | Alt+0243 | Option+E, then O | Ctrl+', then O | hold o |
| ú | Alt+0250 | Option+E, then U | Ctrl+', then U | hold u |
| ë | Alt+0235 | Option+U, then E | Ctrl+Shift+:, then E | hold e |
| ï | Alt+0239 | Option+U, then I | Ctrl+Shift+:, then I | hold i |
| ö | Alt+0246 | Option+U, then O | Ctrl+Shift+:, then O | hold o |
| ü | Alt+0252 | Option+U, then U | Ctrl+Shift+:, then U | hold u |
| è | Alt+0232 | Option+`, then E | Ctrl+`, then E | hold e |
Option 1: add the Dutch keyboard
If you write Dutch often, add its keyboard layout. On Windows, open Settings → Time & language → Language & region, add Dutch or add its keyboard under your current language, and switch with Win+Space. On a Mac, open System Settings → Keyboard → Text Input → Edit and add the Dutch layout. On iPhone and Android, add the Dutch keyboard in keyboard settings and switch with the globe key.
A native layout moves some punctuation keys, so print or note where they sit before you switch.
Option 2: use shortcuts on your current keyboard
Keep your usual layout and use the codes in the chart. On Windows the US-International layout covers many Western European accents with dead keys. On a Mac, Option+E, Option+`, Option+I, Option+U and Option+N cover the acute, grave, circumflex, umlaut and tilde, and Unicode Hex Input covers everything else.
Option 3: copy and paste
For occasional use, copy letters from the Dutch letters page. Click a letter to copy it, or click several to build a word in the text box first.