Why French Keyboards Use AZERTY: A Practical Guide for Americans
French AZERTY can make familiar keys feel unfamiliar. Learn what changes, how to enter accents, and how to switch layouts without replacing your keyboard.
Key takeaways
- AZERTY puts several letters and punctuation marks in different places than a standard US QWERTY keyboard.
- On many French AZERTY keyboards, you hold Shift to type the number shown on a top-row key.
- You can change your computer's input layout without changing the physical keyboard.
- The French standard updated AZERTY to make accented capitals and other characters easier to type.
- Check your layout before entering passwords, since symbols may not be where you expect.
In this guide
If you are visiting France, borrowing a local computer, or working with French colleagues, an AZERTY keyboard can slow you down at first. Even familiar letters and punctuation may be in different places, and typing accents can take a little practice.
This guide explains how AZERTY developed, how it differs from US QWERTY, and how to enter French characters on computers and phones. You will also learn how to switch layouts and avoid common snags when using a French keyboard.
Why France uses AZERTY
AZERTY takes its name from the first six letters on the top letter row. It is the familiar French counterpart to QWERTY, whose name comes from the first six letters on the US keyboard’s top letter row. The layouts developed during the era of typewriters, when keyboards were designed around the machines and typing conventions of the time.
The exact origins and reasons behind every key placement are not neatly documented. It is safest to think of AZERTY as a layout that became established through French-language typing and local typewriter use, not as a modern system proven to make French typing faster. Its continued use is largely a matter of habit, training, equipment and compatibility.
AZERTY is not one identical layout used by every French speaker. The standard French layout differs from Belgian AZERTY, and French-speaking Canadians often use QWERTY-based layouts instead. If you are using a shared or borrowed keyboard, check the legends printed on the keys and the input language selected in the operating system.
Good to know: The printed labels show the physical keyboard, but your computer’s input layout determines what each key sends. The two can be different, which is why pressing a key marked A can produce Q.
What changes from US QWERTY
A French AZERTY keyboard moves more than the A and Q. The table shows common differences on a standard French PC keyboard. Mac keyboards and regional variants can arrange some symbols differently.
| Feature | Common French AZERTY | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| First letter row | A and Z appear where Q and W are on US QWERTY | Your fingers may type the wrong letters from memory |
| W and Z | W and Z trade places compared with US QWERTY | Check the key labels before touch-typing |
| M | M is on the home row, to the right of L | M is not in its familiar US bottom-row position |
| Number row | Many French PC layouts require Shift for the digits | A key that shows 2 may type a symbol unless you hold Shift |
| Punctuation and symbols | Many marks have different positions or require Shift or AltGr | Passwords, shortcuts and code can be frustrating until you check the map |
| Accented letters | Some are available directly, while others use accent or modifier keys | French text is easier to type than on a basic US layout, but the method varies by key and layout |
AltGr, usually the right Alt key, can produce a third character on some layouts. Shift and AltGr combinations vary, so do not assume the same symbol will be in the same place on French PC, Mac and Belgian keyboards.
Pro tip: Before writing a long document, open a blank note and test the letters, numbers and symbols you use most. A quick check is especially helpful if the key labels and the selected software layout do not match.
Typing accents and special characters
French uses accented letters such as é, è, à, ù and â, as well as ç. On many traditional French AZERTY layouts, é and some other characters have dedicated keys. Other accents may work as dead keys: press the accent key, then the letter it should modify. The accent may not appear until you type the second key.
For example, a dead acute accent followed by e can produce é, while a dead circumflex followed by a can produce â. The exact keys depend on the layout. If nothing appears after the first press, that can be normal for a dead key. Pressing the spacebar after a dead key usually enters the accent by itself, though behavior can differ by layout.
Uppercase accented letters are a common source of confusion on older layouts. A dedicated lowercase é key does not always give you an obvious way to type É. The updated French keyboard standard addresses this gap, but many computers still use a legacy layout. When you need a character once, use the operating system’s character viewer or insert-symbol tool rather than guessing at a code.
French typography also uses punctuation conventions that may surprise US writers. In French text, a space is commonly used before marks such as a colon, semicolon, question mark and exclamation point, though publishing rules can specify a nonbreaking space and details vary. The keyboard layout helps you enter the marks, but it does not apply French spacing rules for you.
If you use French often, learn the accent keys for your particular layout and turn on spell-checking for French. If you are writing occasional names or phrases, an on-screen character picker or a French keyboard on your phone may be quicker. For broader context on language and customs, see our guide to French culture for American travelers.
How to switch layouts on your devices
You usually do not need to buy a new keyboard to type in French. Add a French input source in your device’s settings, then select it when you want to type. The physical keys stay the same, but the software changes what they produce.
Windows
In Windows, open Settings and look under Time & language for Language & region. Add French, then open that language’s options and add the French keyboard layout you want. Menu names can vary slightly by Windows version, so look for the keyboard or input-language settings under the language entry.
Use Windows key + Spacebar to cycle through installed layouts. Check the language indicator in the taskbar before typing. Select French (France) if you want the common French layout used in France, rather than assuming every French-language option is identical.
Mac
On a Mac, open System Settings and look under Keyboard for Text Input or Input Sources. Add a French source, then use the input menu in the menu bar to change layouts. A keyboard viewer can show the characters associated with the selected source, including symbols accessed with modifier keys.
The shortcut for moving between input sources can depend on your settings. If you expect a keyboard shortcut to work and it does not, use the input menu or check the Keyboard settings rather than assuming the layout failed to install.
iPhone, iPad and Android phones
On an iPhone or iPad, add French under Settings, General and Keyboard, then choose French from the keyboard switcher while typing. On Android, add French in your keyboard app’s language settings. The exact steps depend on the keyboard app and device.
On-screen keyboards can change their visible arrangement when you switch languages. With a physical keyboard connected to a tablet or phone, the operating system still interprets that hardware according to the selected input source. Test it in a note before using it for a message or form.
Pro tip: If you need only a few French accents on a US computer, consider a US-International input layout instead of switching to AZERTY. It can preserve familiar letter and number positions while offering accent combinations, but test the punctuation and symbols you use before relying on it.
Using AZERTY while traveling or working
If you are using a French computer, its physical keys may be printed for AZERTY. Leave the French layout selected and use the labels as a guide, or switch to US QWERTY if that is more comfortable and the computer permits it. On a shared computer, remember to restore the original setting when you finish.
If you bring your own US laptop, decide whether you want the convenience of French input or the familiar feel of QWERTY. French input is useful for frequent accents and French-language spell-checking, but your keycaps will still show the US arrangement. You can learn the changed keys, use a keyboard viewer, or keep QWERTY and enter accents through a character tool.
For remote work, set up and test the layout before a meeting, deadline or account login. Symbols in passwords may move when you change layouts, so confirm what you are typing before repeated attempts lock an account. If a symbol looks wrong, switch to a safe text field and test it rather than editing a password blindly.
A few habits make either layout easier:
- Check the active language indicator before you start typing.
- Keep a small note of the handful of punctuation and symbol keys you use most.
- Use spell-checking set to the language of the document, not just the keyboard layout.
- Ask before changing settings on a work-managed or public computer.
- If you will be reading French programs, books or theater materials, accents help distinguish words and names. Our article on Molière’s lasting influence offers one example of French writing you may encounter.
The newer French keyboard standard
France’s standards body, AFNOR, published an updated keyboard standard in 2019. It specifies an updated AZERTY layout intended to make a wider range of French and European characters easier to enter, including accented capital letters. It also improves access to characters and symbols that can be awkward to type on older layouts.
The standard is a specification, not a requirement that every manufacturer or employer must adopt. You may still encounter the traditional AZERTY layout on laptops and office keyboards, and the newer layout may not be enabled in your device’s settings. Check both the key labels and the operating system’s selected layout before assuming a keyboard follows the updated standard.
If you are choosing a keyboard for regular French writing, look for a clear description of the layout and confirm that it matches the software input source you plan to use. The standard can help with character access, but it does not mean the updated layout will feel familiar to a QWERTY typist right away.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Assuming AZERTY is the same in every country. French, Belgian and other regional layouts can differ. Confirm the country or layout name before changing settings.
- Trusting the keycap instead of the active layout. The legend is not a guarantee of what the computer will type if its software is set to another input source.
- Expecting number keys to behave like a US keyboard. On many French PC layouts, digits require Shift. Check the displayed character before entering a long number.
- Changing layouts in the middle of a password. Symbols can move, and repeated failed attempts may create an account problem. Test the layout in a harmless text field first.
- Assuming all French keyboards use the newer standard. The updated standard exists, but legacy layouts remain in use. Check the exact keyboard and software settings.
- Treating accents as decoration. Accents can change a word’s spelling and meaning. Use the appropriate French characters in names and formal writing, and proofread before sending.
The Bottom Line
AZERTY is the familiar French keyboard layout, but it differs from US QWERTY in letter positions, numbers, punctuation and accent entry. The exact arrangement depends on the country, hardware and software layout, so check what is selected before you type.
You can add French input on a computer or phone without replacing your keyboard. Test the characters you need, keep an eye on symbols in passwords, and remember that the updated French standard is not yet the layout on every device.
Frequently asked questions
Why does France use AZERTY instead of QWERTY?
AZERTY became established in France through the country's typewriter and typing practices. Its continued use reflects familiarity and compatibility, rather than a proven claim that it is faster for French.
What is the main difference between AZERTY and QWERTY?
The letter positions differ, including A and Q, Z and W, and the location of M. On many French PC layouts, you also press Shift to type digits on the top row, and punctuation and symbols have different positions.
How do I type accents on a French keyboard?
Some French AZERTY layouts have dedicated accented-letter keys, while others use dead keys that you press before the letter. The exact method depends on the selected layout, so check the keyboard viewer or test a few characters in a note.
Can I use a French AZERTY layout on a US keyboard?
Yes. Add a French input source in your computer's settings and select it when you type. The physical keys remain labeled for QWERTY, so the characters produced may not match the keycaps.
What is the new French AZERTY standard?
AFNOR published an updated French keyboard standard in 2019 that improves access to accented capitals and other characters. It is a specification, not a guarantee that every keyboard or computer uses the updated layout.
