How to Type ż (Z with dot above) on LaTeX

Published June 22, 2026, 2 min read

ż is z with dot above, a letter used in Polish and Maltese. On LaTeX, the quickest way to get it is \.{z}. This guide covers every method that works, including the capital Ż and fixes for common problems.

ż on LaTeX: \.{z}

Ż on LaTeX: \.{Z}

Or copy it:

Method 1: LaTeX command

Write \.{z} 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 ż into your source. On Overleaf, set the compiler in Menu → Compiler.

Method 3: In math mode

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

How to type the capital Ż

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

LaTeX command

Write \.{Z} 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 Ż into your source. On Overleaf, set the compiler in Menu → Compiler.

About the letter ż

ż is Unicode U+017C, named LATIN SMALL LETTER Z WITH DOT ABOVE. It is used in Polish and Maltese. A single dot above a letter, used in Polish (ż), Lithuanian (ė), Maltese (ċ, ġ, ż) and Turkish (İ, the dotted capital I). See the ż 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 ż on LaTeX?

\.{z}.

Can I just copy and paste ż?

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 ż?

U+017C. In HTML it is ż.

Related guides

All accent shortcuts for LaTeX