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German Keyboard Guide 🇩🇪

German keyboard layout, accents and symbols

See the German layout for Mac or Windows, type German characters online, copy accents in one click, or convert your physical keyboard to German.

Type German now Stickers View layout

✓ Free online keyboard ✓ Mac and Windows layouts ✓ One-click symbol copying

Visual reference

German keyboard layout

Choose your operating system. Mac and Windows may use a different key legends around the keyboard.

German layout for macOS.

Add on Mac

Immediate task completion

Type German online or copy special characters

Use the text box for a sentence, or copy a single symbol directly from the table.

Free German online keyboard

German accents and special symbols

Every symbol has a dedicated one-click copy button.

Symbol	Copy
ä
ö
ü
ß
Ä
Ö
Ü
ẞ
€
„
“

System layout instructions

How to add a German keyboard layout

Select your device to see only the instructions you need.

Add German on Windows 11

Start → Settings → Time & language → Language & region

1
Add German if needed
Under Preferred languages, choose Add a language, search for German, and install it.
2
Open Language options
Select the menu next to German, then choose Language options.
3
Add the layout
Under Keyboards, select Add a keyboard and choose the German layout you need.
4
Switch while typing
Press Windows + Space to move between installed keyboard layouts.

Choose the right solution

How often do you type in German?

Choose between immediate copying, a software layout, or visible German legends on the keyboard.

Occasional use

Copy or type online

Best for a few accents, a short message or a form.

✓ No installation
✓ Works on any device
✓ Free and immediate

Use the online keyboard

Regular typing

Add German in settings

Best when you type German often but do not need labels on the physical keys.

✓ Built into your device
✓ Fast layout switching
✓ No physical change

See setup instructions

Best physical solution

Add visible German legends

Best for learning, converting a keyboard, or keeping two languages visible.

Compare German stickers

Common questions

German keyboard FAQ

How to convert my keyboard to German

The easiest way to convert your current keyboard language to German is by keyboard stickers. Keyshorts makes highest quality German keyboard stickers that will fit your keyboard. Keyshorts offers opaque/covering stickers that convert/hide your current layout with German. Learn more below.

LANGUAGE CONVERSION SOLUTION

German QWERTZ Keyboard Stickers

Best For Quick Language Change
Will Fit Your Keyboard
Unlimited Language & Colors Choice
Extra Durable Adhesive With Safe-For-Keyboard Removal
Made To Order Exactly For You

How to add German letters to my keyboard on a side without losing backlight?

The easiest way to add German to your current keyboard language - without changing it - is by keyboard stickers. Keyshorts makes highest quality German transparent keyboard stickers that will fit your keyboard. German symbols are added in one of key's corners, without clashing with your existing letters. They are also fully backlight compatible. Learn more below.

100% BACKLIGHT-COMPATIBLE

German QWERTZ Transparent Keyboard Stickers

Best For Adding Second Language
100% Backlight Compatible
Will Fit Your Keyboard
Unlimited Language & Colors Choice
Extra Durable Adhesive With Safe-For-Keyboard Removal
Made To Order Exactly For You

What is the history of the German keyboard?

The German keyboard belongs to the QWERTZ family, named for the first six letter keys on its upper row. Compared with English QWERTY, Y and Z exchange positions, reflecting the different typing traditions that developed around German-language typewriters.

German keyboards provide dedicated keys for Ä, Ö and Ü as well as ß. AltGr and dead keys provide access to additional symbols and accented letters. The same general layout tradition is used in Germany and Austria, while Switzerland uses a related but distinctly multilingual Swiss layout.

How to learn German?

Deutsche Welle's free German courses cover everything from beginner dialogues to advanced news-based learning. The Goethe-Institut also provides exercises and learning material, while Easy German is useful for listening to everyday spoken German.

Need German visible on your keys?

Compare opaque conversion stickers with transparent, backlight-compatible German labels.

Shop German stickers

German stickers

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German keyboard layout, accents and symbols

German keyboard layout