Keyboard shortcuts
| Letter | Windows (Alt code) | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| á Á | Alt + 0225 / 0193 | Option + E, then A |
| č Č | — | Option + V, then C (ABC – Extended) |
| ď Ď | — | Option + V, then D (ABC – Extended) |
| é É | Alt + 0233 / 0201 | Option + E, then E |
| ě Ě | — | Option + V, then E (ABC – Extended) |
| í Í | Alt + 0237 / 0205 | Option + E, then I |
| ň Ň | — | Option + V, then N (ABC – Extended) |
| ó Ó | Alt + 0243 / 0211 | Option + E, then O |
| ř Ř | — | Option + V, then R (ABC – Extended) |
| š Š | Alt + 0154 / 0138 | Option + V, then S (ABC – Extended) |
| ť Ť | — | Option + V, then T (ABC – Extended) |
| ú Ú | Alt + 0250 / 0218 | Option + E, then U |
| ů Ů | — | Use the Czech input source |
| ý Ý | Alt + 0253 / 0221 | Option + E, then Y |
| ž Ž | Alt + 0158 / 0142 | Option + V, then Z (ABC – Extended) |
Mac: On a Mac, the letters with a čárka (á, é, í, ó, ú, ý) work on the normal layout: press Option + E, let go, then type the letter. For the háček letters, add the “ABC – Extended” input source (System Settings > Keyboard > Input Sources): Option + V, then the letter, gives č, ř, š, ž, ě, ň, ď and ť. For ů and everyday typing, add the Czech input source.
Windows: On Windows, Alt codes only exist for á, é, í, ó, ú, ý, š and ž. For č, ř, ě, ň, ď, ť and ů, add the Czech keyboard in Settings > Time & language > Language & region: ě, š, č, ř, ž, ý, á, í and é sit on the number row, and the dead keys next to Backspace add ´ or ˇ to any letter. In Microsoft Word you can also type a Unicode code and press Alt + X: 0159 gives ř, 010D gives č, 016F gives ů.
iPhone and Android: On iPhone and Android, add the Czech keyboard, then press and hold a letter (c, r, e, u, s, z…) to see its accented versions and slide to the one you want.
The háček, the čárka and the kroužek
Czech uses three marks, and each has a clear job.
- The čárka (´) makes a vowel long: á, é, í, ó, ú, ý. Length changes the word: byt (apartment) / být (to be), dal (he gave) / dál (further).
- The háček (ˇ) changes a consonant: č is “ch” as in “church”, š is “sh”, ž is the “s” in “pleasure”, ň is like the Spanish ñ, and ď and ť are soft d and t. In lowercase, ď and ť show the háček as a small apostrophe-like mark.
- The kroužek (°) only appears on ů, which is a long u, pronounced exactly like ú.
ě, ř, and ú vs ů
ě never stands alone as a sound. After d, t and n it softens the consonant (děti, tělo, něco). After b, p, v and f it sounds like “je” (běh, pět, věc), and mě is pronounced “mňe” (město, mě).
ř is the famous Czech sound, a rolled r pronounced at the same time as ž. It is in Dvořák, řeka (river) and tři (three). Czech children are among the last to master it, so don't worry if it takes time.
ú and ů sound the same. Write ú at the start of a word (úterý, ústa) and after a prefix (neúspěch). Write ů everywhere else: dům (house), domů (home), stůl (table).
Frequently asked questions
How do I type ř?
ř has no Windows Alt code. Add the Czech keyboard in Windows settings, where ř is on the number row, or type 0159 and press Alt+X in Microsoft Word. On a Mac, use the ABC – Extended input source and press Option+V, then R. On a phone, press and hold r on the Czech keyboard. You can also click ř on this page and copy it.
How do I type č, š and ž?
On Windows, š and ž have Alt codes (Alt+0154 and Alt+0158), but č needs the Czech keyboard layout. On a Mac with ABC – Extended, press Option+V, then C, S or Z.
What is the difference between ú and ů?
There is no difference in sound: both are a long u. ú is written at the beginning of a word or after a prefix, and ů in the middle or at the end of a word.
What is a háček?
The háček (ˇ, “little hook”) is the mark on č, š, ž, ř, ě, ň, ď and ť. It changes the sound of the letter, for example c to “ch” and s to “sh”. English borrowed the idea through names like Dvořák and Čapek.