How to Type ý (Y with acute) on LaTeX

Q: What is the Unicode code for ý?

U+00FD. In HTML it is &yacute;.

Published August 11, 2026, 2 min read

ý is y with acute, a letter used in Czech, Slovak, Icelandic and Vietnamese. On LaTeX, the quickest way to get it is \'{y}. This guide covers every method that works, including the capital Ý and fixes for common problems.

ý on LaTeX: \'{y}

Ý on LaTeX: \'{Y}

Or copy it:

Method 1: LaTeX command

Write \'{y} 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 ý into your source. On Overleaf, set the compiler in Menu → Compiler.

Method 3: In math mode

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

How to type the capital Ý

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

LaTeX command

Write \'{Y} 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 Ý into your source. On Overleaf, set the compiler in Menu → Compiler.

About the letter ý

ý is Unicode U+00FD, named LATIN SMALL LETTER Y WITH ACUTE. It is used in Czech, Slovak, Icelandic, Vietnamese and Faroese. A short line slanting up to the right. It marks stress in Spanish (canción), a closed vowel in French (été), vowel length in Czech, Hungarian and Irish, and a rising tone in Vietnamese and Pinyin. See the ý 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 ý on LaTeX?

\'{y}.

Can I just copy and paste ý?

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 ý?

U+00FD. In HTML it is ý.

Related guides

All accent shortcuts for LaTeX