How to Type in Chinese with Pinyin (Windows, Mac and Phones)

How-To Guides · 2 min read · Published October 25, 2026

Quick answer: add Chinese (Simplified) and use a Pinyin input method: type the sounds in Latin letters, for example nihao, and choose 你好 from the list with Space or a number key. In Microsoft Pinyin, Shift switches between Chinese and English mode. Traditional Chinese users often use Zhuyin (Bopomofo) or Cangjie instead.

Quick reference: every method

Every Alt code below is verified against the real Windows code pages — where none exists we say so, rather than list one that won’t work.

Set it up

• Windows: Settings → Time & language → Language & region → Add a language → Chinese (Simplified, China) for Microsoft Pinyin, or Chinese (Traditional, Taiwan) for Microsoft Bopomofo. Switch with Win+Space.
• Mac: System Settings → Keyboard → Text Input → Edit → + → Chinese, Simplified → Pinyin – Simplified (other choices include Shuangpin, Wubi, Zhuyin and Cangjie).
• Phones: add a Chinese keyboard; iPhone and Gboard offer Pinyin, stroke and handwriting input.

Typing with Pinyin

1. Type the syllables without tones: zhongguo.
2. The candidate list shows 中国 and other matches. Press Space for the first one or the number next to another.
3. Use the arrow keys or - / = (in many IMEs) to page through candidates.
4. Type initials only for common phrases: zg often offers 中国.

Chinese punctuation

In Chinese mode the normal keys give full-width punctuation: , → ，, . → 。, \ → 、, [ ] → 【 】 (Microsoft Pinyin), and Shift+4 → ￥. These marks take a full character width; mixing them with English punctuation looks uneven, so switch with Ctrl+. when you write English inside Chinese text. More marks: CJK punctuation.

Pinyin with tone marks

To write pinyin itself (mā, má, mǎ, mà), not characters:

• Mac: switch to the ABC – Extended keyboard. Option+A then the vowel gives the macron (ā), Option+E acute (á), Option+V caron (ǎ), Option+` grave (à).
• Word: type the code and press Alt+X: ā 0101, á 00E1, ǎ 01CE, à 00E0, ǚ 01DA (how Alt+X works).
• Accent keyboard: click the letters on our accent keyboard and copy.

When you don't know the pronunciation

Use handwriting: phones have handwriting keyboards, and Google Docs' input tools include handwriting for Chinese. Draw the character and pick it from the list. Stroke-based methods (Wubi, Cangjie, U-mode) also don't need the pronunciation.

Yuan sign

The yuan is written 元 in Chinese text, or ¥ in prices; it shares the ¥ sign with the Japanese yen (Alt+0165, Option+Y). For clarity on invoices, write CNY.

See also the overview how to type in other languages and the Japanese guide.

Frequently asked questions