How to Type in Russian (Cyrillic) on Windows, Mac and Phones
Quick answer: add Russian as a keyboard and switch with Win+Space on Windows or Ctrl+Space on a Mac. The standard layout is ЙЦУКЕН. If you don't know it, choose a phonetic layout, where Cyrillic letters sit on similar-sounding Latin keys (а on A, б on B). On phones, hold е for ё and ь for ъ.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ₽ | Ruble Sign | Copy / paste | Copy / paste | ₽ |
20BD + Alt+X |
U+20BD |
| № | Numero Sign | Copy / paste | Copy / paste | № |
2116 + Alt+X |
U+2116 |
Set it up
- Windows 10/11: Settings → Time & language → Language & region → Add a language → Russian. Under its options you can add Russian (ЙЦУКЕН) and Russian - Mnemonic (phonetic).
- Mac: System Settings → Keyboard → Text Input → Edit → + → Russian: Russian – PC (like Windows), Russian, or Russian – Phonetic.
- Phones: add the Russian keyboard; switch with the globe key or by swiping the space bar on some Android keyboards.
The ЙЦУКЕН layout (Windows Russian)
| Row | Letters (left to right) |
|---|---|
| Top (Q to ]) | Й Ц У К Е Н Г Ш Щ З Х Ъ |
| Middle (A to ') | Ф Ы В А П Р О Л Д Ж Э |
| Bottom (Z to .) | Я Ч С М И Т Ь Б Ю |
| ` key | Ё |
Punctuation moves too: on the Russian layout the full stop is the key right of Ю (where / is on US keyboards), Shift + that key is a comma, and Shift+3 gives №. Learn the layout with the on-screen keyboard (Win+Ctrl+O) or stickers.
Phonetic layouts
Phonetic layouts put а on A, б on B, д on D, к on K and so on. Letters without a Latin equivalent (ж, ш, щ, ы, э, ю, я) are placed on remaining keys, which differ between Windows and Mac versions; check with the on-screen keyboard or the Mac Keyboard Viewer. They are ideal for occasional writing, while ЙЦУКЕН is faster for daily use.
ё, ъ and ь
- ё: often replaced by е in everyday text, but correct in names and dictionaries. Windows: ` key; phones: hold е.
- ъ (hard sign) and ь (soft sign): ] and M keys on Windows; on phones, hold ь for ъ.
Symbols used with Russian
- Ruble ₽: Right Alt + 8 on the Windows Russian layout in recent Windows versions; Word: 20BD then Alt+X (ruble sign, rouble topic page).
- Quotes « »: Russian uses guillemets: Alt+0171 and Alt+0187 on Windows.
- Number sign №: Shift+3 on the Russian layout.
Cyrillic letters look like Latin ones (А, Е, О, Р, С) but are different characters; mixing them causes search and login problems (look-alike characters). See also how to type in other languages.
Frequently asked questions
How do I type Russian letters on an English keyboard?
Add the Russian keyboard and switch with Win + Space (Windows) or Ctrl + Space (Mac). If you don't know the ЙЦУКЕН layout, choose a phonetic layout: Russian - Mnemonic on Windows or Russian – Phonetic on a Mac.
Where is the letter ё?
On the standard Windows Russian layout it is on the key left of 1 (the ` key). On phones, touch and hold е.
How do I type the ruble sign ₽?
On recent Windows versions, the Russian layout types ₽ with Right Alt + 8. Everywhere else, use Word's 20BD then Alt + X, or copy it.
Looking for something else? Browse 1,000+ copy-paste symbols, the full Alt Codes finder, or the emoji picker.