How to Type š (S with caron) on LaTeX

Published July 22, 2026, 2 min read

Need š on LaTeX for a name, an address or a word in another language? You do not have to copy it from a website every time. The fastest method is \v{s}, and there are a few backups below for when that one is not available.

š on LaTeX: \v{s}

Š on LaTeX: \v{S}

Or copy it:

Method 1: LaTeX command

Write \v{s} in text mode. Load \usepackage[T1]{fontenc} for correct hyphenation and copy-paste from the PDF.

Method 2: Type the character directly

Since 2018 pdfLaTeX reads UTF-8 by default, so you can paste š into your source. On Overleaf, set the compiler in Menu → Compiler.

Method 3: In math mode

For a variable with this accent, use $\check{s}$ . Math accents are for symbols, so use the text command for words.

How to type the capital Š

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

LaTeX command

Write \v{S} in text mode. Load \usepackage[T1]{fontenc} for correct hyphenation and copy-paste from the PDF.

Type the character directly

Since 2018 pdfLaTeX reads UTF-8 by default, so you can paste Š into your source. On Overleaf, set the compiler in Menu → Compiler.

About the letter š

š is Unicode U+0161, named LATIN SMALL LETTER S WITH CARON. It is used in Czech, Slovak, Finnish, Croatian, Slovenian, Latvian, Lithuanian and Estonian. A small v above a letter, called háček in Czech and kvačica in Croatian. It softens consonants (č, š, ž, ř) and marks the third tone in Pinyin (ǎ, ǐ). See the š character page for every code and shortcut.

Troubleshooting

Accents on i and j need the dotless forms \i and \j in old LaTeX; modern LaTeX handles this automatically.
If the letter is missing in the PDF, the font lacks it. Switch to XeLaTeX or LuaLaTeX with a broader font.
Wrap commands in braces when the next character is a letter: \'{e}x, not \'ex.

Frequently asked questions

What is the shortcut for š on LaTeX?

\v{s}.

Can I just copy and paste š?

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 š?

U+0161. In HTML it is &scaron;.

Related guides

All accent shortcuts for LaTeX