Typing · Spanish accents
Spanish Special Characters
Complete guide to typing ñ, á, é, í, ó, ú, ü, ¿, and ¡ on any device.
Why accents matter
Learn how to type ñ, á, é, í, ó, ú, ü, ¿, and ¡ on Mac, Windows, iPhone, Android, and Chromebook.
Character reference
| Character | Name | Example words / use |
|---|---|---|
| á | a with accent | Used in words like está, más, mamá |
| é | e with accent | Used in words like café, qué, también |
| í | i with accent | Used in words like sí, aquí, así |
| ó | o with accent | Used in words like adiós, sólo, cómo |
| ú | u with accent | Used in words like tú, menú, único |
| ñ | n with tilde | Used in words like español, mañana, año |
| ü | u with umlaut | Used in words like güero, pingüino |
| ¿ | inverted question mark | Opens all Spanish questions |
| ¡ | inverted exclamation mark | Opens all Spanish exclamations |
Guides by device
Mac
Shortcuts and step-by-step typing for this device.
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Windows
Shortcuts and step-by-step typing for this device.
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iPhone
Shortcuts and step-by-step typing for this device.
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Android
Shortcuts and step-by-step typing for this device.
Open Android guide →
Chromebook
Shortcuts and step-by-step typing for this device.
Open Chromebook guide →
FAQ
How do I type ñ?
On most US keyboards use Option+n then n on Mac, or Alt+164 (numeric keypad) on Windows — see your device guide above for the exact sequence.
How do I type accents in Spanish?
Usually you press a dead key for the accent (or hold a vowel on mobile), then type the vowel. Each platform page lists the shortcuts Chapurra students use most.
Why do Spanish words have accents?
Accents mark stress when it breaks the default pattern and distinguish words that look alike (tu/tú, el/él, si/sí).