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Y With Accent (ý, ÿ, ỳ, ŷ, ỹ, ȳ) — How to Type Accented Y on Keyboard

Typing an accented Y (like ý or ÿ) can feel confusing at first because different devices use different methods.

In this guide, you’ll learn:

  • Which accented Y letters exist (so you pick the right one)
  • The fastest method (copy/paste)
  • How to type them on Windows, Mac, Word, Google Docs, Excel/PowerPoint
  • How to type them on iPhone/Android
  • What to do if Alt codes don’t work
Y With Accent (Copy & Paste)
Click any letter to copy. Use search to filter.
Lowercase
Uppercase

1) Which “Y with accent” do you need?

“Y with accent” can mean different letters. Here are the most common ones and what the accent is called:

  • ý = y with acute (common in many languages)
  • ỳ = y with grave
  • ŷ = y with circumflex
  • ÿ = y with diaeresis / umlaut (two dots)
  • ỹ = y with tilde
  • ȳ = y with macron (a flat line on top)

If you’re not sure, look at the mark above the letter in the word you’re trying to type and match it.

2) Copy & Paste (fastest method)

This is the easiest option because it works in every app and on every device.

Copy the accented letter y you need from the above copy tool and paste it wherever you want.

  • Lowercase: ý ÿ ỳ ŷ ỹ ȳ ẏ ỷ ỵ ẙ ƴ ɏ
  • Uppercase: Ý Ÿ Ỳ Ŷ Ỹ Ȳ Ẏ Ỷ Ỵ Ƴ Ɏ

Paste shortcut

  • Windows: Ctrl + V
  • Mac: Command + V

3) Quick Answer (best method for your device)

If you just want the fastest direction:

  • Windows: Use Alt codes (best if you have a numeric keypad)
  • Mac: Use Option + accent, then type y
  • Word (Windows): Use Unicode + Alt + X (super fast)
  • Google Docs: Use Insert → Special characters
  • Phone: Press and hold y on the keyboard

How to Type Y With Accent on Windows (Alt Codes)

Windows can type accented letters using Alt codes. This is a keyboard method that uses the Alt key + numbers.

Before you start:
Alt codes work best when your keyboard has a numeric keypad (the number pad on the right side).

Step-by-step: How to use Alt codes

  1. Open MS Word or the app you want to insert the y letter with accent.
  2. Turn Num Lock ON
  3. Place your cursor where you want the letter
  4. Hold Alt
  5. Type the code using the numpad
  6. Release Alt

Windows Alt Codes for Y With Accent (Most Used)

These are the most common accented Y letters people search for:

Lowercase

  • ý = Alt + 0253
  • ÿ = Alt + 0255
  • ỳ = Alt + 7923
  • ŷ = Alt + 0375
  • ỹ = Alt + 7929
  • ȳ = Alt + 0563

Uppercase

  • Ý = Alt + 0221
  • Ÿ = Alt + 0159
  • Ỳ = Alt + 7922
  • Ŷ = Alt + 0374
  • Ỹ = Alt + 7928
  • Ȳ = Alt + 0562

More Y Variations (Windows Alt Codes)

These are less common, but useful for academic writing and special alphabets:

Lowercase

  • ẏ = Alt + 7823
  • ẙ = Alt + 7833
  • ỷ = Alt + 7927
  • ỵ = Alt + 7925
  • ƴ = Alt + 0436
  • ɏ = Alt + 0591

Uppercase

  • Ẏ = Alt + 7822
  • Ỷ = Alt + 7926
  • Ỵ = Alt + 7924
  • Ƴ = Alt + 0435
  • Ɏ = Alt + 0590

If Alt Codes Are Not Working (Windows)

Alt codes can fail for a few common beginner reasons. Here’s what to check:

1) No numeric keypad (common on laptops)

Most Windows laptops don’t have a true numpad. Try:

  • Turning on the laptop’s Fn + Num Lock (if available)
  • Using the On-Screen Keyboard (Windows) and clicking the numpad
  • Or just use copy/paste (fastest)
  • If you’re in Word, use Unicode + Alt + X (next section)

2) You typed the numbers on the top row

Alt codes usually require the numpad, not the top row numbers.

3) It works in Word but not in other apps

Some codes behave differently by app. If it fails in a browser or another program, use:

  • Copy/paste
  • Character Map
  • Or Google Docs “Special characters”

How to Type Y With Accent on Mac (Option Key Shortcuts)

On Mac, accents often work like this:

Step 1: Press an Option shortcut for the accent
Step 2: Type y (or Shift + Y for uppercase)

Mac shortcuts for common accented Y letters

Lowercase

  • ý: Option + E, then y
  • ỳ: Option + ` (backtick), then y
  • ŷ: Option + I, then y
  • ÿ: Option + U, then y
  • ỹ: Option + N, then y

Uppercase
Use the same shortcut, then type Shift + Y.

Type Y With Accent in Microsoft Word (Windows & Mac)

Word gives you multiple reliable methods. If one feels confusing, try the next one.

Option 1: Insert Symbol (beginner-friendly)

This method is visual: you choose the letter from a list.

  1. Insert → Symbol → More Symbols
  2. Find and click the accented Y letter
  3. Click Insert

Option 2: Unicode shortcut (Windows Word only)

This is a fast Word trick. You type a code, then convert it.

How it works:
Type the code → press Alt + X

Examples:

  • ý: 00FD + Alt + X
  • Ý: 00DD + Alt + X
  • ÿ: 00FF + Alt + X
  • Ÿ: 0178 + Alt + X
  • ŷ: 0177 + Alt + X
  • Ŷ: 0176 + Alt + X
  • ȳ: 0233 + Alt + X
  • Ȳ: 0232 + Alt + X

Type Y With Accent in Excel & PowerPoint

Excel and PowerPoint can use the same methods as your keyboard, but sometimes a method works in one app and not another.

Excel

  • Use Alt codes (Windows) or Option shortcuts (Mac)
  • If anything fails, use copy/paste from the list above

PowerPoint

  • Click inside a text box
  • Use Alt codes (Windows) or Option shortcuts (Mac)
  • Or copy/paste from the list

Type Y With Accent in Google Docs

Google Docs has a built-in tool for special characters, so you don’t need to memorize anything.

Insert special characters (best method)

  1. Insert → Special characters
  2. Search: “y with acute”, “y with diaeresis”, “y with tilde”, etc.
  3. Click the letter to insert it

Type Y With Accent on iPhone & Android

Phones make this easy.

iPhone / iPad

  1. Press and hold y
  2. Choose the accented version (like ý or ÿ)

Android

  1. Press and hold y
  2. Choose the accented version

(Options vary depending on your keyboard, but long-press is the main trick.)

FAQ

What is “Y with accent” called?

It depends on the mark:

  • ý = y with acute
  • ỳ = y with grave
  • ŷ = y with circumflex
  • ÿ = y with diaeresis / umlaut
  • ỹ = y with tilde
  • ȳ = y with macron

Why does Alt + code not work on my Windows laptop?

Most Alt codes need a numeric keypad. If your laptop doesn’t have one, use:

  • Copy/paste
  • On-Screen Keyboard
  • Word Unicode (Alt + X)

Related Accent Letter Guides