How to Type N With Tilde on Any Device (Ñ ñ)

The tilde over an N, Ñ—pronounced eñe—is part of the Latin alphabet. It’s used in words such as jalapeño or piña colada, as well as other Spanish-based words and phrases that have become common in English. It means that the word was previously spelled with two Ns; the tilde (sometimes called “acute accents” to Spanish speakers) is a replacement for the second one.

In this article, we’ll explain how to type n with tilde by adding the character to your keyboard layout, using keyboard shortcuts (it’s very easy!), and how to find the n with a tilde on your mobile device.

How to Type N With Tilde Using Your Keyboard

Typing this symbol with your keyboard is simple. Here’s how:

Use Alt code

Because of the prevalence of the eñe symbol, it’s part of the standard keyboard layout, although you need these Alt codes to access it:

1. Make sure Num Lock is on.
2. Select within a text where you want to add an eñe.
3. Hold down the Alt key and type the following codes:
   • 165 or 0209 for Ñ
   • 164 or 0241 for ñ
     
4. Release the Alt key.

Note: Depending on your keyboard, you may have a tilde symbol assigned to a key. If so, the another way to type an N with a tilde is with this keyboard shortcut for accent marks: CTRL+Shift+~+n.

Windows without a number pad

If you have a Windows computer without a number pad, you can still type n with tilde (and other characters like the copyright symbol) using the built-in Character Map. Here’s how: 

1. Press Win+R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type charmap.
3. Press Enter.
4. Locate the uppercase or lowercase n with tilde and select it.
   
5. Click Select and then Copy to add it to your clipboard.
6. Now, you can paste/type n with a tilde anywhere.

Change your PC’s keyboard layout to US International

Windows PCs support a wide range of keyboard layouts, including US-International, which is helpful for eñe.  

Follow these steps to install the US-International keyboard layout for Windows 11 or Windows 10:

1. Press Win+i to open Settings.
2. Select Time & language.
   
3. Select Language & region (Windows 11) or Language (Windows 10).
   
4. Select the three dots next to English (United States).
5. Choose Language options.
   
6. Select Add a keyboard and choose United States-International.
   
7. To easily type n with a tilde using this new layout, select ENG US on the taskbar (the the lock) and choose English (United States) United States – International.
   
8. To type n with tilde, press and hold the right Alt key (or Alt Gr) and then press n.
   

How to type Ñ on smartphones

If you’re using your smartphone, it’s easy to select this character. Regardless of type, most phones have the same instructions: 

1. Wherever you need to know how to type n with tilde in an email, text, or some other place, hold down the regular n letter.
2. Several characters will appear. Select the one with the tilde over it.
   

If you want it capitalized, make sure your initial N is capitalized first.

Ñ Character on MacOS

Depending on which Mac product you have, you can create ñ by: 

• Hold down the “n” key like the in the mobile directions above. You’ll get a popup menu with the ñ option.
• Pressing Option + n, then pressing n again without holding down Option.
• Or by pressing Option + n, then holding down Shift and pressing n again. Like this: Option + n, Shift + n.

Conclusion

You can always find the ñ symbol online and copy/paste it into your document. Feel free to use this article for reference.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add the ñ key permanently to my keyboard?

Yes, you can set up a Spanish keyboard layout on your computer. This will let you type ñ directly without using shortcuts.

On Windows 11, go to Settings > Time & language > Language & region > Add a language. On a Mac, open the Apple menu and go to System Settings > Keyboard > Text Input.

Is there a way to type ñ in web-based text editors without shortcuts?

Google Docs and other online text editors offer special character menus. In Google Docs, go to Insert > Special characters, and then search for n. Click the right one to insert it into the document.

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Alex Ion

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