How to type IJ on Windows
The fastest method on a full-size keyboard is the Alt code Alt+306.
- Make sure Num Lock is on.
- Hold down the Alt key.
- Type 306 on the numeric keypad (the number row will not work).
- Release Alt. The capital ij ligature symbol IJ appears.
Note: Alt+306 is a Unicode decimal code, not a classic code-page Alt code. It works in Microsoft Word, WordPad and some other apps, but not in Notepad or most browsers. In those apps, copy the symbol from this page instead.
No numeric keypad?
Press Win+. to open the emoji panel, choose the Symbols tab (Ω) and search for "capital ij ligature". Or open Character Map from the Start menu, find IJ, click Select, then Copy.
How to type IJ on a Mac
There is no direct keyboard shortcut for IJ on a Mac.
For any symbol, the Character Viewer works: press Control+⌘+Space, type "capital ij ligature" in the search box and double-click the result. It will be remembered under Frequently Used.
How to type IJ on iPhone and iPad
The iOS keyboard does not include IJ, so the reliable way is to copy it from this page, then press and hold in any text field and tap Paste.
If you use it often, create a shortcut: open Settings → General → Keyboard → Text Replacement, paste IJ in the Phrase field and type a short code such as ;capital in the Shortcut field. Typing that code will then insert IJ anywhere.
How to type IJ on Android
Copy the symbol from this page, then long-press in a text field and choose Paste. Gboard also keeps a clipboard history: tap the clipboard icon on the toolbar to paste it again later.
For a permanent shortcut, open Gboard settings → Dictionary → Personal dictionary, add IJ as the word and a short code as the shortcut.
How to type IJ in Microsoft Word
- Type the Unicode hex code 0132 where you want the symbol.
- Press Alt+X. Word converts the code into IJ.
This works on Windows in Word, Outlook and OneNote and needs no numeric keypad. You can also go to Insert → Symbol → More Symbols, set the font to a Unicode font and type 0132 in the Character code box. In Excel, the formula =UNICHAR(306) returns the symbol.
How to type IJ in Google Docs
Open Insert → Special characters, then either search for "capital ij ligature" or draw the symbol in the sketch box. Click the result to insert it. In Google Sheets, use =CHAR(306).
IJ in HTML, CSS and code
| Format | Code |
|---|---|
| HTML entity | IJ |
| HTML decimal | IJ |
| HTML hex | IJ |
CSS content | "\0132" |
| JavaScript | "\u0132" |
| Python | "\u0132" |
| URL encoded | %C4%B2 |
Because IJ is a standard Unicode character (U+0132), you can also paste it directly into any UTF-8 file. The escaped forms above are only needed when the file encoding is uncertain or the symbol must be entered on a keyboard without it.
Where the capital ij ligature symbol is used
Used in Dutch proper nouns and words like "IJSbrand" or place names such as "IJmuiden," where IJ acts as a single letter unit. Many modern texts simply type it as two separate letters, I and J, instead of using this ligature. It is often confused with a plain capitalized "IJ" sequence.
Frequently asked questions
Is IJ a real letter in Dutch? +
IJ functions as a digraph treated as one letter in Dutch, though the ligature character IJ itself is optional and rarely required in writing.
Why does IJ look like a capital U or V? +
Some fonts render the IJ ligature with a shape that resembles other letters, but it is actually a fused I and J, not related to U or V.
What is the Alt code for the capital ij ligature symbol? +
The Alt code for IJ is Alt+306. Hold Alt, type 306 on the numeric keypad, then release Alt. This is a Unicode code, so it works in Word and WordPad but not in every app; in other apps paste the symbol instead.
How do I type IJ on a Mac? +
There is no dedicated Mac shortcut for IJ. Open the Character Viewer with Control + Command + Space, search for "capital ij ligature", and double-click it. Or copy it from this page.
How do I type the capital ij ligature symbol on iPhone or Android? +
Phone keyboards do not include IJ by default. Copy it from this page and paste it, or add it as a text replacement shortcut in Settings so you can type it with a short abbreviation.
What is the HTML code for IJ? +
Use IJ in HTML. The numeric form IJ works too. In CSS use content: "\0132" and in JavaScript use "\u0132".