Keyboard shortcuts
| Letter | Windows (Alt code) | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| á Á | Alt + 0225 / 0193 | Option + E, then A |
| à À | Alt + 0224 / 0192 | Option + `, then A |
| â Â | Alt + 0226 / 0194 | Option + I, then A |
| ä Ä | Alt + 0228 / 0196 | Option + U, then A |
| ã Ã | Alt + 0227 / 0195 | Option + N, then A |
| å Å | Alt + 0229 / 0197 | Option + A |
| ą Ą | — | Press and hold A, or use the Polish layout |
Mac: On a Mac, press and hold the letter to pick an accent, or use the shortcut in the table: hold Option and press the first key, let go, then type the letter. Add Shift to the letter for a capital.
Windows: On Windows, turn on Num Lock, hold Alt and type the four-digit code on the numeric keypad. Letters without an Alt code need that language's keyboard layout (Settings > Time & language > Language & region), or you can copy them from this page.
iPhone and Android: On iPhone and Android, press and hold the base letter, then slide to the accented version.
Which a accent do you need?
Each accent on the a belongs to a different set of languages:
- á: Spanish (está, mamá), Portuguese (já), Czech (máma) and Vietnamese.
- à: French (à, là, voilà), Italian (città, però) and Catalan.
- â: French (pâte, château), Portuguese (câmara) and Romanian (România).
- ä: German (Mädchen, Käse), Swedish (är) and Finnish.
- ã: Portuguese (não, mãe, irmã).
- å: Swedish, Danish and Norwegian (på, år). It is a separate letter, alphabetized near the end.
- ą: Polish (są, będą).
à vs a in French
In French, à (with the accent) means "to" or "at": Je vais à Paris. Without it, a is a form of avoir, "has": Il a un chat. The accent is the only written difference.
Frequently asked questions
How do I type á on a keyboard?
On Windows, hold Alt and type 0225 on the numeric keypad (0193 for Á). On a Mac, press Option + E, then A. On a phone, press and hold a. Or click á on this page and copy it.
How do I type å?
On Windows, Alt + 0229 (0197 for Å). On a Mac, Option + A (Option + Shift + A for Å). On a phone, press and hold a.
What is the a with a circle called?
å is called "a with ring" or "a ring". In Swedish, Danish and Norwegian it is its own letter, not an a with decoration.
Is ä the same as ae?
In German, ä can be written as ae when the letter isn't available (Maedchen for Mädchen). Swedish and Finnish don't use that substitute.