How to Type Welsh Accents on Any Keyboard
Welsh uses the circumflex (to bach) on vowels including ŵ and ŷ, and occasionally the acute, grave and diaeresis. Here is how to type each of them on a computer or phone, whether you write Welsh every day or only need the odd name.
Welsh letters: â ê î ô û ŵ ŷ á é í ó ú à è ë ï
Shortcut chart
| Letter | Windows | Mac | Word | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| â | Alt+0226 | Option+I, then A | Ctrl+Shift+^, then A | hold a |
| ê | Alt+0234 | Option+I, then E | Ctrl+Shift+^, then E | hold e |
| î | Alt+0238 | Option+I, then I | Ctrl+Shift+^, then I | hold i |
| ô | Alt+0244 | Option+I, then O | Ctrl+Shift+^, then O | hold o |
| û | Alt+0251 | Option+I, then U | Ctrl+Shift+^, then U | hold u |
| ŵ | Win+. symbols | Option+0175 (Hex Input) | 0175 Alt+X | add Welsh keyboard |
| ŷ | Win+. symbols | Option+0177 (Hex Input) | 0177 Alt+X | add Welsh keyboard |
| á | Alt+0225 | Option+E, then A | Ctrl+', then A | hold a |
| é | Alt+0233 | Option+E, then E | Ctrl+', then E | hold e |
| í | Alt+0237 | Option+E, then I | Ctrl+', then I | hold i |
| ó | Alt+0243 | Option+E, then O | Ctrl+', then O | hold o |
| ú | Alt+0250 | Option+E, then U | Ctrl+', then U | hold u |
| à | Alt+0224 | Option+`, then A | Ctrl+`, then A | hold a |
| è | Alt+0232 | Option+`, then E | Ctrl+`, then E | hold e |
| ë | Alt+0235 | Option+U, then E | Ctrl+Shift+:, then E | hold e |
| ï | Alt+0239 | Option+U, then I | Ctrl+Shift+:, then I | hold i |
Option 1: add the Welsh keyboard
If you write Welsh often, add its keyboard layout. On Windows, open Settings → Time & language → Language & region, add Welsh 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 Welsh layout. On iPhone and Android, add the Welsh 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 Welsh letters page. Click a letter to copy it, or click several to build a word in the text box first.