How to Type Estonian Accents on Any Keyboard
Estonian uses õ, ä, ö and ü as separate vowels, and š and ž in loanwords. Here is how to type each of them on a computer or phone, whether you write Estonian every day or only need the odd name.
Estonian letters: ä ö õ ü š ž
Shortcut chart
| Letter | Windows | Mac | Word | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ä | Alt+0228 | Option+U, then A | Ctrl+Shift+:, then A | hold a |
| ö | Alt+0246 | Option+U, then O | Ctrl+Shift+:, then O | hold o |
| õ | Alt+0245 | Option+N, then O | Ctrl+Shift+~, then O | hold o |
| ü | Alt+0252 | Option+U, then U | Ctrl+Shift+:, then U | hold u |
| š | Alt+0154 | Option+0161 (Hex Input) | 0161 Alt+X | hold s |
| ž | Alt+0158 | Option+017E (Hex Input) | 017E Alt+X | hold z |
Option 1: add the Estonian keyboard
If you write Estonian often, add its keyboard layout. On Windows, open Settings → Time & language → Language & region, add Estonian 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 Estonian layout. On iPhone and Android, add the Estonian 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 Estonian letters page. Click a letter to copy it, or click several to build a word in the text box first.