How to Type French Accents on English Keyboard in Windows 11 Easily

Have you ever tried typing a French word like “café” or “crème brûlée” on your Windows 11 PC, only to get stuck figuring out how to add those beautiful accent marks? Don’t worry — you’re not alone! Whether you’re learning French, writing professional documents, or just texting a friend, typing French accents on an English keyboard doesn’t have to be frustrating.

In this complete guide, we’ll walk you through how to type French accents on English keyboard in Windows 11 easily, covering multiple methods so you can choose the one that works best for you.

Why Typing French Accents Matters

French uses several diacritical marks that completely change the pronunciation and meaning of words. Without them, “ou” (or) and “où” (where) would look the same — confusing, right?

Common French accents include:

Getting these right improves readability and helps you sound natural.

Methods to Type French Accents on Windows 11

There’s more than one way to do this — let’s explore them all.

1. Use Windows 11 Keyboard Shortcuts (Alt Codes)

Alt codes are the fastest way to type French accents once you memorize them.

1. Make sure Num Lock is on.
2. Hold down Alt and type the corresponding numeric code on the numeric keypad.

Pro Tip: These codes only work with the numeric keypad — not the row of numbers above the letters.

2. Add the French Keyboard Layout in Windows 11

If you type in French frequently, this is the best long-term solution.

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
2. Go to Time & language → Language & region.
3. Click Add a language and choose French (France).
4. After installation, press Windows + Spacebar to switch between English and French layouts.

Now your keyboard will type accents natively:

• é = press ’ then e
• ç = press , then c
• à = press ` then a

3. Use the On-Screen Touch Keyboard

Windows 11 has a built-in emoji/character picker that also supports accents.

1. Press Windows + . (period) or Windows + ; (semicolon).
2. Switch to the Symbols or Latin tab.
3. Click the accented character you need.

This is great if you only need occasional accents.

4. Use Character Map App

Character Map is a classic Windows tool for special characters.

1. Press Windows + R, type charmap, and hit Enter.
2. Find the French character you need.
3. Click Select → Copy, then paste into your document.

5. Use Microsoft Word’s Built-in Shortcuts

If you use Word, there are handy shortcuts:

• Ctrl + ' + e → é
• Ctrl + + a` → à
• Ctrl + Shift + ^ + o → ô
• Ctrl + , + c → ç

6. Create Your Own Keyboard Shortcuts

Want full control? Use AutoHotkey or Windows PowerToys to create custom hotkeys for French accents.

Example AutoHotkey script:

::ae::æ
::ee::é

This way, typing “ee” automatically converts to “é.”

Comparing Methods – Which One is Best?

Troubleshooting French Accent Issues

Why Don’t Alt Codes Work?

• Make sure Num Lock is enabled.
• Use the numeric keypad, not the number row.

Why Do My Keys Type Wrong Characters After Switching Layout?

You may still be using the French AZERTY layout — switch back to English using Windows + Spacebar.

Can I Use Sticky Keys or Accessibility Options?

Yes! Windows accessibility tools let you remap keys if needed.

Extra Tip: Copy-Paste Ready Reference Table

Save this table somewhere handy for quick use:

Conclusion

Typing French accents on Windows 11 doesn’t have to be difficult. Whether you memorize Alt codes, install the French keyboard layout, or use on-screen tools, you now have multiple ways to get it done quickly.

Take a few minutes to try each method and see which one feels natural — soon, typing words like “cliché” or “déjà vu” will be second nature!

FAQs

1. How do I quickly switch between English and French keyboard layouts?

Press Windows + Spacebar to cycle through installed layouts.

2. Can I type French accents without a numeric keypad?

Yes — use the on-screen keyboard or change to the French layout.

3. Which method is fastest for everyday French typing?

Installing the French keyboard layout is the fastest for frequent users.

4. Do these methods work in all apps?

Yes — Alt codes, layouts, and Character Map work system-wide.

5. Can I type French accents on a laptop without numpad?

Yes — enable Num Lock and use the Fn + number key combination, or use other methods like the on-screen keyboard.