How to type ʼn on Windows
The fastest method on a full-size keyboard is the Alt code Alt+329.
- Make sure Num Lock is on.
- Hold down the Alt key.
- Type 329 on the numeric keypad (the number row will not work).
- Release Alt. The small letter n preceded by apostrophe symbol ʼn appears.
Note: Alt+329 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 "small letter n preceded by apostrophe". Or open Character Map from the Start menu, find ʼn, click Select, then Copy.
How to type ʼn on a Mac
There is no direct keyboard shortcut for ʼn on a Mac.
For any symbol, the Character Viewer works: press Control+⌘+Space, type "small letter n preceded by apostrophe" in the search box and double-click the result. It will be remembered under Frequently Used.
How to type ʼn on iPhone and iPad
The iOS keyboard does not include ʼn, 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 ʼn in the Phrase field and type a short code such as ;small in the Shortcut field. Typing that code will then insert ʼn anywhere.
How to type ʼn 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 ʼn as the word and a short code as the shortcut.
How to type ʼn in Microsoft Word
- Type the Unicode hex code 0149 where you want the symbol.
- Press Alt+X. Word converts the code into ʼn.
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 0149 in the Character code box. In Excel, the formula =UNICHAR(329) returns the symbol.
How to type ʼn in Google Docs
Open Insert → Special characters, then either search for "small letter n preceded by apostrophe" or draw the symbol in the sketch box. Click the result to insert it. In Google Sheets, use =CHAR(329).
ʼn in HTML, CSS and code
| Format | Code |
|---|---|
| HTML entity | ʼn |
| HTML decimal | ʼn |
| HTML hex | ʼn |
CSS content | "\0149" |
| JavaScript | "\u0149" |
| Python | "\u0149" |
| URL encoded | %C5%89 |
Because ʼn is a standard Unicode character (U+0149), 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 small letter n preceded by apostrophe symbol is used
It appears mainly in older Afrikaans texts to represent the contraction 'n (a shortened form of 'een', meaning 'a' or 'an'). Modern writing usually spells this out as two separate characters, apostrophe plus n, instead of using ʼn. Example: ʼn man (older style) versus 'n man (modern style).
Frequently asked questions
Is ʼn still used in modern Afrikaans? +
No, modern Afrikaans writing typically uses a plain apostrophe followed by n instead of this single combined character.
Why does ʼn look like a lowercase n with a mark before it? +
It was designed as a single character to represent the contraction 'n as one unit, combining the apostrophe and n visually.
What is the Alt code for the small letter n preceded by apostrophe symbol? +
The Alt code for ʼn is Alt+329. Hold Alt, type 329 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 ʼn on a Mac? +
There is no dedicated Mac shortcut for ʼn. Open the Character Viewer with Control + Command + Space, search for "small letter n preceded by apostrophe", and double-click it. Or copy it from this page.
How do I type the small letter n preceded by apostrophe symbol on iPhone or Android? +
Phone keyboards do not include ʼn 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 ʼn? +
Use ʼn in HTML. The numeric form ʼn works too. In CSS use content: "\0149" and in JavaScript use "\u0149".