Need to type a German address (“Somethingstraße”?) or picking up the language for fun and profit? Find out here how to write the German character sharp s (‘ß’ and ‘ẞ’) using a Windows keyboard.
First, I Take Hot Showers
I take hot showers in winter (to prepare for the heat of summer). I also take cold showers in summer. At some point, one just has to prepare for the wintery chills that surely will arrive soon, after all!
Now, there are possibly ways to approach this showering affair more sensibly. Whether it’s hot outside, though, or in the shower, if you want to write about it in German, you’ll need this character:
How to Write the German Sharp S ( ß ) on a Windows Keyboard
Using the U.S.-International Keyboard
Time needed: 1 minute
To type the German character sharp s (ß) most fluidly on Windows:
- Add the U.S.-International keyboard layout to Windows.
Here’s how: You can add the U.S.-International keyboard in Windows Time & Language settings.
- Press Space while holding down Windows until United-States International is selected as the input method.
Up again: You can press Shift Space while still holding the Windows key to go up the list.
- Press AltGr S to insert the character ß.
Upper case: The U.S.-International keyboard layout does not include a key for the uppercase sharp s; you can use a German-language keyboard layout for that or resort to character map (see below).
Word: In Word for Windows, you can also set up a keyboard shortcut for Eszett separately.
Using the German Keyboard Layout (Includes Uppercase Sharp S)
To add the uppercase sharp s to a document (in addition to easy access to the lowercase ß) with a German-language keyboard layout for Windows:
- Add German keyboard layout to Windows.
Here’s which: Pick the German QWERTZ keyboard layout.
Here’s how: Go to Time & language | Language & region and choose Language options from your Windows language under Language, then click Add a keboard. - Use Windows Space to switch to the German keyboard layout.
- Press - on the U.S.-English keyboard for the lowercase ß.
German keyboard: On a German hardware keyboard, the key has the label ‘ß’.
Uppercase sharp s: Press AltGr Shift - for uppercase ẞ.
Using Character Map
You can also insert the German sharp s using the Windows character map, however cumbersome it might be.
To insert the upper or lower case German sharp s (ß) using Windows Character Map:
- Open Character Map.
Here’s how: Press Windows, for example, start typingcharacter mapand select the Character Map application. - Choose the font you are using in your document under Font :.
- Click in the Search for : field.
- Type
sharp s. - Double-click the uppercase ẞ or lowercase ß to add it to the Characters to copy : field.
Jump directly: Instead of searching, you can also jump to the characters directly: type00DFunder Go to Unicode : for lowercase ß and1E9Efor uppercase ẞ.
Not found: Not all fonts include the lowercase sharp s, and fewer also include the uppercase sharp s; if the desired font lacks the character you need, you can resort to a standard font (such as Arial, Georgia or Consolas) that best matches your typeface. - Click Copy.
- Paste the German sharp s where you want to insert it in text.
How to Write the German Sharp S ( ß ) on a Windows Keyboard: FAQ
I just need the characters once; does copying and pasting work?
Yes.
You can copy the upper- and lowercase German sharp s characters anywhere on this page or using the buttons below and paste them where needed in your documents.
lowercase sharp s ß | |
uppercase sharp s ẞ |
(How to write the German sharp s on the keyboard tested with Windows 11 Version 22H2; updated March 2024)