How to Type ÿ (Y with umlaut) on Microsoft Word

Published July 25, 2026, 2 min read

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

ÿ on Microsoft Word: Ctrl+Shift+:, then Y

Ÿ on Microsoft Word: Ctrl+Shift+:, then Shift+Y

Or copy it:

Method 1: Word keyboard shortcut

Press Ctrl+Shift+:, then Y. Press the first combination, release, then type the letter. This works in Word for Windows and in Outlook.

Method 2: Alt+X Unicode trick

Type 00FF where you want the letter.
Press Alt+X. Word turns the code into ÿ.

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

Method 3: Insert Symbol

Go to Insert → Symbol → More Symbols.
Set "from" to Unicode (hex) and type 00FF in Character code.
Click Insert. You can also assign a shortcut key here.

Method 4: Alt code

With Num Lock on, hold Alt and type 0255 on the number pad.

How to type the capital Ÿ

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

Word keyboard shortcut

Press Ctrl+Shift+:, then Shift+Y. Press the first combination, release, then type the letter. This works in Word for Windows and in Outlook.

Alt+X Unicode trick

Type 0178 where you want the letter.
Press Alt+X. Word turns the code into Ÿ.

Press Alt+X again to turn it back into the code. On a Mac, Word uses the macOS methods instead: Option+U, then Shift+Y.

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

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 ÿ on Microsoft Word?

Ctrl+Shift+:, then Y.

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 Microsoft Word