How to Type ÿ (Y with umlaut) on Windows

Published July 25, 2026, 3 min read

Typing ÿ (y with umlaut) on Windows takes a few seconds once you know the trick. The short answer is Alt+0255. Read on for step-by-step instructions, the uppercase Ÿ and what to do when a method does not work.

ÿ on Windows: Alt+0255

Ÿ on Windows: Alt+0159

Or copy it:

Method 1: Alt code (fastest with a number pad)

Make sure Num Lock is on.
Hold down the left Alt key.
Type 0255 on the number pad, not the top row of numbers.
Release Alt and ÿ appears.

The older code Alt+152 also works in many programs. Codes that start with 0 are more reliable because they map to the Windows-1252 character set.

Method 2: US-International keyboard

Add the United States-International layout in Settings → Time & language → Language & region → your language → Language options → Add a keyboard. Switch layouts with Win+Space.

Dead key: press Shift+' ("), then Y.

On this layout, the apostrophe and quote keys wait for the next letter. Press Space after them when you want a plain ' or ".

Method 3: Emoji and symbols panel (no number pad needed)

Press Win+. (period) to open the panel.
Select the Symbols tab (Ω).
Choose the Latin symbols group and click ÿ.

Method 4: Character Map

Press Win, type charmap and open Character Map.
Tick Advanced view and type 00FF in the "Go to Unicode" box.
Click Select, then Copy, and paste with Ctrl+V.

How to type the capital Ÿ

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

Alt code (fastest with a number pad)

Make sure Num Lock is on.
Hold down the left Alt key.
Type 0159 on the number pad, not the top row of numbers.
Release Alt and Ÿ appears.

US-International keyboard

Add the United States-International layout in Settings → Time & language → Language & region → your language → Language options → Add a keyboard. Switch layouts with Win+Space.

Dead key: press Shift+' ("), then Shift+Y.

On this layout, the apostrophe and quote keys wait for the next letter. Press Space after them when you want a plain ' or ".

About the letter ÿ

ÿ is Unicode U+00FF, named LATIN SMALL LETTER Y WITH DIAERESIS. It is used in French. Two dots above a letter. As a German umlaut it changes the vowel sound (ä, ö, ü); as a diaeresis in French, Dutch, Spanish or English (naïve, Noël) it shows that a vowel is pronounced separately. See the ÿ character page for every code and shortcut.

Troubleshooting

Alt codes only work with the number pad. On a laptop without one, use Win+. or the US-International layout.
If Alt codes type the wrong symbol, add a 0 before the number (Alt+0233 rather than Alt+130).
Some apps, such as remote desktop sessions, block Alt codes. Copy the letter from this page instead.

Frequently asked questions

What is the shortcut for ÿ on Windows?

Alt+0255.

Can I just copy and paste ÿ?

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 ÿ?

U+00FF. In HTML it is ÿ.

Related guides

All accent shortcuts for Windows