How to Type ŵ (W with circumflex) on Android

Published May 1, 2026, 2 min read

Need ŵ on Android 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 Add Welsh keyboard, and there are a few backups below for when that one is not available.

ŵ on Android: Add Welsh keyboard

Ŵ on Android: Add Welsh keyboard

Or copy it:

Method 1: Long-press the letter

ŵ is not on the long-press menu of the plain English keyboard. Add the Welsh keyboard, then touch and hold w or use the key it adds.

Method 2: Add the Welsh keyboard

Open Settings → System → Languages & input → On-screen keyboard → Gboard → Languages.
Tap Add keyboard and pick Welsh.
Switch keyboards with the globe key or by holding the space bar.

Method 3: Personal dictionary shortcut

In Gboard go to Settings → Dictionary → Personal dictionary, pick your language, tap +, paste ŵ as the word and add a shortcut such as wci. Typing the shortcut then suggests ŵ.

How to type the capital Ŵ

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

Long-press the letter

Ŵ is not on the long-press menu of the plain English keyboard. Add the Welsh keyboard, then touch and hold w or use the key it adds.

Add the Welsh keyboard

Open Settings → System → Languages & input → On-screen keyboard → Gboard → Languages.
Tap Add keyboard and pick Welsh.
Switch keyboards with the globe key or by holding the space bar.

About the letter ŵ

ŵ is Unicode U+0175, named LATIN SMALL LETTER W WITH CIRCUMFLEX. It is used in Welsh. A small caret (^) above a vowel. In French it often marks a vanished s (forêt from forest), in Portuguese a closed vowel, in Welsh a long vowel, and in Vietnamese a distinct vowel (â, ê, ô). See the ŵ character page for every code and shortcut.

Troubleshooting

Samsung Keyboard and Gboard show slightly different long-press menus. If a letter is missing, add the language.
Turn off "Long press for symbols" in Gboard settings if holding a key shows numbers instead of accents.
Personal dictionary shortcuts appear as suggestions; tap the suggestion to insert the letter.

Frequently asked questions

What is the shortcut for ŵ on Android?

Add Welsh keyboard.

Can I just copy and paste ŵ?

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 ŵ?

U+0175. In HTML it is ŵ.

Related guides

All accent shortcuts for Android