# How to type accents on Windows 11 without a number pad
Type é, ü, ñ and ç on a Windows 11 laptop with no number pad: US-International, language layouts, the symbol panel, and why Alt codes fail here.
Search for how to type **é** on Windows and the first answer is an Alt code. Alt codes need a number pad, and most laptops do not have one. Here is why, and the ways that work on any keyboard.
## Why Alt codes need a number pad
An Alt code works like this: hold Alt, type a number on the number pad, let go of Alt. Alt + 0233 types **é**. Windows reads the number only from the number pad, with Num Lock on. The number row above the letters does not work for this.
Some laptops hide a number pad under the letter keys, behind Fn or Num Lock. Most thin laptops have none. And even with a number pad, the usual leading-zero codes depend on the system code page. On Windows-1252, they cover Western European letters: **é** is 0233, **ñ** is 0241, **ü** is 0252, **ç** is 0231, **ß** is 0223. Windows-1252 has no codes for **ł**, **ş**, **č** or **ő**; other system code pages can differ.
## US-International
*United States-International* is a built-in layout that keeps the US letters in place and adds accents with dead keys. To add it, open Settings → Time & language → Language & region, select the three dots next to English (United States), choose Language options, and under Keyboards select Add a keyboard. Switch layouts with Windows + Space.
A dead key types nothing at first. It waits for the next key and puts its mark on that letter:
| Press | Then type | You get |
| --- | --- | --- |
| ' | a vowel, or c | **á é í ó ú ç** |
| " | a vowel | **ä ë ï ö ü** |
| ` | a vowel | **à è ì ò ù** |
| ^ | a vowel | **â ê î ô û** |
| ~ | n, a or o | **ñ ã õ** |
AltGr (the right Alt key, or Ctrl + Alt) types some letters in one step: AltGr + S is **ß**, AltGr + N is **ñ**, AltGr + Z is **æ**, AltGr + W is **å**, AltGr + L is **ø**, AltGr + / is **¿**.
The catch is the quote keys. ' and " now wait for the next key, so a plain quote needs a space after it, and a quote before a vowel turns into an accent: *N'oublie* comes out as *Nóublie*. [The dead key problem](/blog/us-international-keyboard-dead-keys) explains why this hurts most when you write code.
## Add your language's layout
Language layouts give you access to their letters, sometimes through dead keys or modifier keys. Add a layout in the same place: Settings → Time & language → Language & region, then Add a language, or add only its keyboard under Language options. Switch with Windows + Space.
Many letters have dedicated keys, but other keys can move. The German layout is QWERTZ, the French one is AZERTY, and punctuation moves in almost every layout. If each of your apps uses one language, Windows can remember the layout per app: turn on *Let me use a different input method for each app window* in Settings → Time & language → Typing → Advanced keyboard settings. That does not help when one chat holds both languages. [Typing in two languages on one keyboard](/blog/type-two-languages-on-one-keyboard) goes through the costs of switching.
## The emoji and symbol panel
Press Windows + . (period). The panel opens on emoji; select Symbols to find accented characters, as described in [Microsoft's keyboard guide](https://support.microsoft.com/windows/hardware/input-devices/windows-keyboard-tips-and-tricks). Click one and it goes where your cursor is.
It needs no setup and no number pad. It is also a search and a click for each letter, so it suits a name, not an email.
## Shortcuts inside Word
Microsoft Word has its own dead keys on Ctrl: Ctrl + ', then e, types **é**, and Ctrl + ,, then c, types **ç**. Word also turns a Unicode code into its letter: type *0142* and press Alt + X for **ł**. [Microsoft documents these shortcuts](https://support.microsoft.com/word/keyboard-shortcuts-to-add-language-accent-marks-in-word-and-outlook) for desktop Word on Windows. Do not expect them to work in a browser or chat app.
## Type plain letters, get the accents
Every way above stops you inside a word: a dead key, a code, a panel, or a check of which layout is on. [Typeet](/) works after the word. You keep the US layout, type without the marks, and when you finish a word with a space or punctuation, Typeet writes it with its letters:
- *Ho gia preso il caffe, pero ne berrei un altro.* becomes **Ho già preso il caffè, però ne berrei un altro.**
- *Kannst du auf dem Heimweg Brotchen und Kase mitbringen?* becomes **Kannst du auf dem Heimweg Brötchen und Käse mitbringen?**
Typeet checks each word against word lists for your language and for English, and looks at the words around it, so English words stay as they are. Your quote keys stay plain, because the layout stays US.
It runs on Windows 10 or later and needs no special permission. It works in every app, and everything runs on your computer: nothing you type is stored or sent anywhere. When it gets a word wrong, press Backspace right after the fix to undo it. If you also use a Mac, [typing accents on a Mac](/blog/type-accents-on-a-mac) covers the built-in ways there.
## Questions
### How do I type é on a laptop without a number pad?
Add the United States-International keyboard and press ', then e. You can also pick **é** from the Windows + . panel, or type a supported word without its marks and let Typeet add them.
### Why does my Alt code not work?
Alt codes read only the number pad, with Num Lock on. The number row above the letters does not work, and many laptops have no number pad.
### How do I type a plain apostrophe on US-International?
Press ', then Space. The space is used up, so a closing quote followed by a space needs two spaces.
### Is US-International built into Windows 11?
Yes. It is listed as United States-International under Add a keyboard, with no download.