How to Type ñ (Spanish N) on Windows 10

To type ñ on Windows 10, turn on Num Lock, hold down Alt, type 0241 on the number pad, and let go of Alt. For a capital Ñ, type 0209 instead. If your laptop doesn’t have a number pad, use the touch keyboard, the emoji panel, or the United States-International keyboard below.

Applies to: Windows 10. Microsoft ended Windows 10 support on October 14, 2025, so a PC without Extended Security Updates no longer receives security fixes; that program runs until October 12, 2027.

1. Use an Alt code (number pad)

1. Click where you want the letter and make sure Num Lock is on.
2. Hold down Alt and type 0241 on the number pad. Let go of Alt and ñ appears.
3. For Ñ, hold Alt and type 0209.

The numbers across the top of the keyboard don’t work for this. You need the number pad on the right.

2. Use the touch keyboard

1. Right-click the taskbar and select Show touch keyboard button.
2. Select the keyboard icon near the clock.
3. Press and hold n, then select ñ.

You can also use the on-screen keyboard, but it doesn’t have this press-and-hold menu.

3. Add the United States-International keyboard

This is the best option if you type Spanish often.

1. Go to Start > Settings > Time & Language > Language.
2. Under Preferred languages, select English (United States), then Options.
3. Under Keyboards, select Add a keyboard and choose United States-International.

4. Press Windows + Space to switch to the new keyboard.

Now press Right Alt + N for ñ, or Right Alt + Shift + N for Ñ. You can also type ~ and then n.

On this keyboard, the ‘, “, `, ~, and ^ keys add accents to the next letter. To type the symbol itself, press the key and then Space. Switching layouts back and forth works the same way as when you change the keyboard language.

4. Use the emoji panel

Press Windows + . (period), select the Ω (symbols) tab, and pick ñ from the Latin symbols. The same panel holds the rest of the emoji keyboard.

5. Use the shortcut in Word or Outlook

Microsoft Office has its own shortcut. Press Ctrl + Shift + ~ (the tilde key, usually left of 1), let go, then type n for ñ or Shift + N for Ñ. It works in Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint, but not in other apps.

6. Copy it from Character Map

Search Start for Character Map and open it. Find ñ (it’s in most fonts, near the other accented letters), select it, choose Select, then Copy, and paste it with Ctrl + V. Check Advanced view and search for “n with tilde” to find it faster.

7. Set up AutoCorrect in Word

If you mostly type in Word, you can have it swap in ñ automatically:

1. In Word, select File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options.
2. In Replace, type a short code you won’t use otherwise, such as n~~.
3. In With, paste ñ, then select Add and OK.

Now typing the code and a space turns it into ñ. The same AutoCorrect list is shared by Outlook and other Office apps.

Other Spanish characters

If you’re writing in Spanish, these use the same methods. Alt codes need the number pad with Num Lock on. On the United States-International keyboard, press the first key, let go, then press the letter. The same keyboard handles French too, and this guide on typing é, à and ç on Windows 10 lists every French accent combination.

Character	Alt code (number pad)	United States-International keyboard
ñ / Ñ	0241 / 0209	Right Alt + N, or ~ then N
á / Á	0225 / 0193	‘ then A
é / É	0233 / 0201	‘ then E
í / Í	0237 / 0205	‘ then I
ó / Ó	0243 / 0211	‘ then O
ú / Ú	0250 / 0218	‘ then U
ü / Ü	0252 / 0220	” then U
¿	0191	Right Alt + /
¡	0161	Right Alt + 1

Which method should you use?

• Once in a while: the emoji panel (Windows + period) or copy and paste.
• A desktop keyboard with a number pad: Alt + 0241.
• A laptop without a number pad: the touch keyboard or the emoji panel.
• You type Spanish every day: add the United States-International keyboard, or the Spanish keyboard if you’re used to its layout.
• Mostly in Word or Outlook: Ctrl + Shift + ~ then N, or an AutoCorrect entry.

If the Alt code doesn’t work

• Num Lock is off. Alt codes only work with the number pad, and Num Lock must be on.
• You used the number row. The numbers above the letters don’t work for Alt codes. Use the separate number pad on the right.
• Your laptop has no number pad. Some laptops have a hidden one on the letter keys, turned on with Fn and a key marked NumLk. Otherwise, use the touch keyboard, the emoji panel, or the US-International layout instead.
• You get a different character. Check you typed 0241 for ñ or 0209 for Ñ, with the leading zero, and held Alt the whole time. The shorter codes 164 and 165 also work.

Frequently asked questions

Does this work in Word and Excel?

Yes. These methods work in most apps. Office apps also have their own options, including a few ways to type ñ in Excel.

How do I type other symbols and accents?

The emoji panel and Character Map cover most of them. For more options, read about typing symbols and special characters in Windows 10.

Can I use a Spanish keyboard layout instead?

Yes. Add Spanish as a language, then add the Spanish keyboard. The ñ key is to the right of L. The other keys also move, so this suits Spanish keyboards best.

How do I type ñ on a phone?

On most phone keyboards, press and hold the n key and slide to ñ in the pop-up.

Alt codes and the emoji keyboard are covered in Windows keyboard tips and tricks, and adding a keyboard in Manage the language and keyboard/input layout settings in Windows.

Related: type ñ in Word.