How to Type ų (U with ogonek) on LaTeX

Published May 2, 2026, 2 min read

Typing ų (u with ogonek) on LaTeX takes a few seconds once you know the trick. The short answer is \k{u}. Read on for step-by-step instructions, the uppercase Ų and what to do when a method does not work.

ų on LaTeX: \k{u}

Ų on LaTeX: \k{U}

Or copy it:

Method 1: LaTeX command

Write \k{u} 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 ų into your source. On Overleaf, set the compiler in Menu → Compiler.

How to type the capital Ų

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

LaTeX command

Write \k{U} 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 Ų into your source. On Overleaf, set the compiler in Menu → Compiler.

About the letter ų

ų is Unicode U+0173, named LATIN SMALL LETTER U WITH OGONEK. It is used in Lithuanian. A small tail at the bottom right of a vowel, meaning “little tail” in Polish. It marks nasal vowels in Polish (ą, ę) and appears in Lithuanian (į, ų). See the ų 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 ų on LaTeX?

\k{u}.

Can I just copy and paste ų?

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 ų?

U+0173. In HTML it is ų.

Related guides

All accent shortcuts for LaTeX