How to Type ŷ (Y with circumflex) on Microsoft Word

Published April 29, 2026, 2 min read

The letter ŷ does not have its own key on an English keyboard, but Microsoft Word still makes it easy to type. Use 0177 then Alt+X, or pick one of the other methods in this guide. ŷ appears in Welsh.

ŷ on Microsoft Word: 0177 then Alt+X

Ŷ on Microsoft Word: 0176 then Alt+X

Or copy it:

Method 1: Alt+X Unicode trick

Type 0177 where you want the letter.
Press Alt+X. Word turns the code into ŷ.

Press Alt+X again to turn it back into the code. On a Mac, Word uses the macOS methods instead.

Method 2: Insert Symbol

Go to Insert → Symbol → More Symbols.
Set "from" to Unicode (hex) and type 0177 in Character code.
Click Insert. You can also assign a shortcut key here.

How to type the capital Ŷ

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

Alt+X Unicode trick

Type 0176 where you want the letter.
Press Alt+X. Word turns the code into Ŷ.

Press Alt+X again to turn it back into the code. On a Mac, Word uses the macOS methods instead.

Insert Symbol

Go to Insert → Symbol → More Symbols.
Set "from" to Unicode (hex) and type 0176 in Character code.
Click Insert. You can also assign a shortcut key here.

About the letter ŷ

ŷ is Unicode U+0177, named LATIN SMALL LETTER Y 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 ŷ character page for every code and shortcut.

Troubleshooting

Ctrl accent shortcuts are in Word for Windows. Word for Mac uses the macOS Option shortcuts.
If Alt+X converts the wrong text, select just the code first, then press Alt+X.
Change the font if the letter shows as an empty box; Calibri, Arial and Times New Roman cover common accents.

Frequently asked questions

What is the shortcut for ŷ on Microsoft Word?

0177 then Alt+X.

Can I just copy and paste ŷ?

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 ŷ?

U+0177. In HTML it is ŷ.

Related guides

All accent shortcuts for Microsoft Word