Keyboard shortcuts
| Letter | Windows (Alt code) | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| í Í | Alt + 0237 / 0205 | Option + E, then I |
| ì Ì | Alt + 0236 / 0204 | Option + `, then I |
| î Î | Alt + 0238 / 0206 | Option + I, then I |
| ï Ï | Alt + 0239 / 0207 | Option + U, then I |
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 i accent do you need?
Each accent on the i belongs to a different set of languages:
- í: Spanish (sí, día), Portuguese (país), Czech (prosím) and Catalan.
- ì: Italian (così, lunedì).
- î: French (île, dîner) and Romanian (în, "in").
- ï: French (naïf, maïs), Dutch (geïnteresseerd) and Catalan (veïna): the two dots mean the vowel is said separately from the one before it.
sí or si in Spanish?
Sí with an accent means "yes"; si without it means "if". The same accent separates mí (me) from mi (my).
Frequently asked questions
How do I type í on a keyboard?
On Windows, hold Alt and type 0237 on the numeric keypad (0205 for Í). On a Mac, press Option + E, then I. On a phone, press and hold i. Or click í on this page and copy it.
What do the two dots on ï mean?
They show that the i is pronounced as its own vowel, not merged with the vowel before it: French maïs (corn) is "ma-ees", while mais (but) is "meh".
Does French still use î?
Yes, but the 1990 spelling reform made the circumflex on i and u optional in most words (ile and île are both accepted). Many writers still use it.
What's the Alt code for ì?
Alt + 0236 for ì and Alt + 0204 for Ì, typed on the numeric keypad with Num Lock on.