How to Type in Korean (Hangul) on Windows, Mac and Phones
Quick answer: add Korean in your system's language settings, then switch between Hangul and English with the Right Alt key on Windows (the 한/영 key on Korean keyboards) or Ctrl+Space on a Mac. The standard 2-set (Dubeolsik) layout puts consonants under the left hand and vowels under the right; the IME builds the syllable blocks for you, so g k s r m f becomes 한글.
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.
| Char | Name | Windows | Mac | HTML | Word (Alt+X) | Unicode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ₩ | Won Sign | Copy / paste | Copy / paste | ₩ |
20A9 + Alt+X |
U+20A9 |
Set it up
- Windows 10/11: Settings → Time & language → Language & region → Add a language → Korean. Choose the Microsoft IME with Win+Space, then press Right Alt to switch between 가 (Hangul) and A (English).
- Mac: System Settings → Keyboard → Text Input → Edit → + → Korean → 2-Set Korean.
- Phones: add the Korean keyboard. iPhone offers a standard (QWERTY-style) and a 10-key layout; Gboard offers 2-set and Chunjiin (천지인).
The 2-set layout
| Key | Jamo | Key | Jamo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q W E R T | ㅂ ㅈ ㄷ ㄱ ㅅ | Y U I O P | ㅛ ㅕ ㅑ ㅐ ㅔ |
| A S D F G | ㅁ ㄴ ㅇ ㄹ ㅎ | H J K L | ㅗ ㅓ ㅏ ㅣ |
| Z X C V | ㅋ ㅌ ㅊ ㅍ | B N M | ㅠ ㅜ ㅡ |
| Shift + Q W E R T | ㅃ ㅉ ㄸ ㄲ ㅆ | Shift + O P | ㅒ ㅖ |
Type the letters in reading order and the IME stacks them: ㅎ+ㅏ+ㄴ = 한 (g k s), ㄱ+ㅡ+ㄹ = 글 (r m f), ㅎ+ㅏ+ㄴ+ㄱ+ㅜ+ㄱ = 한국 (g k s r n r). If a syllable splits wrongly, keep typing; the IME moves the last consonant to the next block when a vowel follows.
Hanja (Chinese characters)
Type a word in Hangul, then press the Hanja key (on US keyboards, Right Ctrl or F9 in the Microsoft IME) to see Hanja choices, for example 한국 → 韓國.
Symbols in Korean text
- Won ₩: no numpad Alt code; type
20A9then Alt+X in Word, or copy it from the won sign page. More background: won sign. - Backslash shown as ₩: on Korean Windows the backslash is traditionally displayed as ₩ in system fonts. It is still a backslash, so paths like C:₩Users work.
- Symbols menu: in the Microsoft IME, type a consonant such as ㅁ and press the Hanja key for a menu of symbols (arrows, shapes, units).
Troubleshooting
- Right Alt does nothing: make sure the Microsoft IME (not just the Korean keyboard layout) is selected, and check its settings for the Hangul/English key.
- Boxes instead of Hangul: install a Korean font (why boxes appear).
See also the overview how to type in other languages, and the Japanese and Chinese guides.
Frequently asked questions
How do I type Korean on a US keyboard?
Add Korean in the language settings, choose the Microsoft IME, and press the Right Alt key (the Hangul/English key) to switch. The standard 2-set layout puts consonants on the left hand and vowels on the right.
How do I type double consonants like ㄲ and ㅆ?
Hold Shift with the single consonant: Shift + R gives ㄲ and Shift + T gives ㅆ. Shift + E, Q and W give ㄸ, ㅃ and ㅉ.
Why does my backslash show as ₩?
Korean Windows fonts and settings traditionally show the backslash character as the won sign. It is still the same character to the computer, so file paths keep working.
Looking for something else? Browse 1,000+ copy-paste symbols, the full Alt Codes finder, or the emoji picker.