Type and pause: the card with the translation in three tones shows up here.
Spain (ISO) layout
Sold in Spain, and called Spanish in Windows and Spanish – ISO on a Mac. ñ is right of L, the ´ accent key is right of ñ, and Ç has its own key next to Enter.
Latin American layout
The most common one from Mexico to Argentina. Windows calls it Spanish (Latin America) and the Mac Latin American. ñ is in the same place, but the ´ key moves right of P and @ is AltGr Q.
Differences, key by key
| Character | Spain | Latin America |
|---|---|---|
| @ | AltGr 2 | AltGr Q |
| ´ accent key | Right of Ñ | Right of P |
| ¿ and ¡ | Key next to Backspace: ¡ unshifted, ¿ with ⇧ | Same key, swapped: ¿ unshifted, ¡ with ⇧ |
| Ç | Own key, next to Enter | None; copy it or use Alt 0231 |
| Key left of 1 | º ª \ | | ° ¬ |
| # | AltGr 3 | ⇧ 3 |
| ~ | AltGr 4 | AltGr + |
| € | AltGr E or AltGr 5 | Varies by model; otherwise Alt 0128 or Win . |
| Keys right of P | ^ [ and + * | ´ ¨ and + * ~ |
AltGr is the right Alt key. On laptops without it, Ctrl Alt does the same on Windows.
Which one do I have?
- Look at the key left of 1: º ª means Spain; | ° means Latin America.
- Look at the key right of P: ` ^ means Spain; ´ ¨ means Latin America.
- Find @: on 2 it's Spain; on Q it's Latin America.
- Is there a Ç key? Then it's Spain.
- No ñ at all? It's an English keyboard: use the online keyboard or US-International.
How to add and switch layouts
| System | Where | Switch |
|---|---|---|
| Windows 11 | Settings › Time & language › Language & region › ⋯ › Language options › Add a keyboard | Win Space |
| Windows 10 | Settings › Time & Language › Language › Options › Add a keyboard | Win Space |
| Mac | System Settings › Keyboard › Input Sources › Edit › + › Spanish | 🌐 fn or Ctrl Space |
| Chromebook | Settings › Device › Keyboard and inputs › Inputs | Ctrl ⇧ Space |
| Linux (GNOME) | Settings › Keyboard › Input Sources › + › Spanish | Super Space |
When the keys don't match what you type
If pressing ñ types ; or @ isn't where it's printed, the system is set to a different layout from your keycaps. It happens a lot with laptops bought in another country. Pick the layout that matches the physical keys (use the checks above) and remove the others so Win Space or Alt ⇧ doesn't switch them by accident.
If you have an English keyboard and don't want to learn a new layout, US-International keeps every letter in place and adds accents with dead keys. Step by step: Windows, Mac, Chromebook.
Print both layouts
The printed version has both diagrams and the difference table, without menus. Choose “Save as PDF” in the print dialog to get a PDF.
Frequently asked questions
Where is @ on a Spanish keyboard?
On the Spain layout, AltGr + 2. On the Latin American layout, AltGr + Q. AltGr is the right Alt key.
How do I type an accent on a Spanish keyboard?
Press the ´ key (right of Ñ on the Spain layout, right of P on the Latin American one), let go, then type the vowel.
What's the difference between the Spanish and Latin American keyboard?
Both have ñ in the same place. They differ in @ (AltGr 2 vs AltGr Q), where the ´ key is, the order of ¿ and ¡, Ç, and several symbols.