How to Type ł (L with stroke) on Microsoft Word

Published May 24, 2026, 2 min read

Typing ł (l with stroke) on Microsoft Word takes a few seconds once you know the trick. The short answer is 0142 then Alt+X. Read on for step-by-step instructions, the uppercase Ł and what to do when a method does not work.

ł on Microsoft Word: 0142 then Alt+X

Ł on Microsoft Word: 0141 then Alt+X

Or copy it:

Method 1: Alt+X Unicode trick

Type 0142 where you want the letter.
Press Alt+X. Word turns the code into ł.

Press Alt+X again to turn it back into the code. On a Mac, Word uses the macOS methods instead.

Method 2: Insert Symbol

Go to Insert → Symbol → More Symbols.
Set "from" to Unicode (hex) and type 0142 in Character code.
Click Insert. You can also assign a shortcut key here.

How to type the capital Ł

The uppercase form works the same way with Shift added where a letter is typed.

Alt+X Unicode trick

Type 0141 where you want the letter.
Press Alt+X. Word turns the code into Ł.

Press Alt+X again to turn it back into the code. On a Mac, Word uses the macOS methods instead.

Insert Symbol

Go to Insert → Symbol → More Symbols.
Set "from" to Unicode (hex) and type 0141 in Character code.
Click Insert. You can also assign a shortcut key here.

About the letter ł

ł is Unicode U+0142, named LATIN SMALL LETTER L WITH STROKE. It is used in Polish. A line through the letter itself. Examples are ø (Danish, Norwegian), ł (Polish), đ (Vietnamese, Croatian) and ħ (Maltese). See the ł character page for every code and shortcut.

Troubleshooting

Ctrl accent shortcuts are in Word for Windows. Word for Mac uses the macOS Option shortcuts.
If Alt+X converts the wrong text, select just the code first, then press Alt+X.
Change the font if the letter shows as an empty box; Calibri, Arial and Times New Roman cover common accents.

Frequently asked questions

What is the shortcut for ł on Microsoft Word?

0142 then Alt+X.

Can I just copy and paste ł?

Yes. Click the copy button above, then paste with Ctrl+V on Windows and Chromebook, Cmd+V on a Mac, or touch and hold and choose Paste on a phone.

What is the Unicode code for ł?

U+0142. In HTML it is ł.

Related guides

All accent shortcuts for Microsoft Word