How to switch your keyboard to a different language

You can change your keyboard language in your operating system settings without installing anything new or restarting your computer. The steps depend on whether you use Windows, Mac, or Linux, but all three let you add a language, set it as your default, and switch between languages while you work.

Most people need to do this once — add the language you want — and then use a keyboard shortcut or menu to flip between languages as needed. Some people set one language as the default and switch only when they need to type in another. Others keep multiple languages active and toggle between them throughout the day.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows, Mac, and Linux all let you add keyboard languages through system settings without downloading extra software.
  • After you add a language, you can switch between active keyboards using a keyboard shortcut (usually Windows key + Space on Windows, or Control + Space on Mac) or a menu in your taskbar.
  • You can set one language as your default so it loads when you start your computer, and add others as backups you switch to when needed.
  • If your keyboard has physical keys labeled in English but you want to type in another language, you may need to learn the layout for that language or use an on-screen keyboard to see where each character is.

Adding a keyboard language on Windows 10 and 11

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then select the Settings app. Go to Time & Language in the left sidebar, then click Language & Region.

Under "Preferred languages," click the Add a language button. A list of languages appears. Find and click the language you want to add — for example, Spanish, French, or Mandarin Chinese. Windows will read the language pack, which takes a few seconds to a minute depending on your internet speed.

Once the language is installed, it appears in your language list. You can now switch to it using Windows key + Space or by clicking the language indicator in your taskbar (usually in the bottom right corner, showing your current language code like "ENG" or "ESP").

Adding a keyboard language on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top left, then select System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS versions). Click Keyboard in the sidebar.

Click the Input Sources tab. Click the + button at the bottom of the list. A window opens showing available languages and keyboard layouts. Select your language — you may see multiple keyboard layouts for the same language, such as "French" and "French - AZERTY." Choose the one that matches your physical keyboard or the layout you want to use.

Click Add. The language now appears in your input sources list. Switch between languages using Control + Space or by clicking the input menu in the top right corner of your menu bar.

Adding a keyboard language on Linux

The steps vary by Linux distribution, but most use GNOME or KDE desktop environments. For GNOME (used by Ubuntu and many others), click the system menu in the top right corner and select Settings. Go to Keyboard, then click Input Sources.

Click the + button to add a new input source. Select your language from the list, then choose the keyboard layout that matches your physical keyboard or preference. Click Add. You can now switch between languages using Super (Windows key) + Space or by clicking the input indicator in the top panel.

For KDE-based distributions, the path is usually System Settings > Input Devices > Keyboard > Layouts. The process is similar: add a layout, confirm, and use a keyboard shortcut to switch.

Understanding keyboard layouts and physical keys

When you add a keyboard language, you are telling your operating system how to interpret the keys you press. If your physical keyboard has English labels (QWERTY) but you add Spanish, your computer will type Spanish characters when you press those keys — but the keys themselves still say "Q," "W," "E," and so on.

This works fine if you have memorized the layout or if you use an on-screen keyboard to see where each character is. To open an on-screen keyboard on Windows, press the Windows key, type "On-Screen Keyboard," and select it. On Mac, go to System Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard, then turn on Enable Keyboard Viewer. On Linux, search your process menu for "Keyboard" or "On-Screen Keyboard."

If you type in multiple languages regularly, consider a physical keyboard labeled in your second language, or learn the layout so you can type without looking at the keys. Many people who work in two languages keep a keyboard layout reference card nearby until the muscle memory builds.

Setting a default keyboard language

If you want one language to load automatically when you start your computer, you can set it as the default. On Windows, go to Settings > Time & Language > Language & Region, then click and drag your preferred language to the top of the list. On Mac, go to System Settings > Keyboard > Input Sources, select your preferred language, and it will be the first one active when you log in.

On Linux, the default is usually the first layout in your list. You can reorder them by dragging or by using the settings interface for your desktop environment. The language at the top of the list will be active when you start your session.

Switching between keyboard languages while you work

Once you have added multiple languages, you can switch between them without opening settings. The fastest way is a keyboard shortcut: Windows key + Space on Windows, Control + Space on Mac, or Super + Space on Linux. Each time you press it, you cycle to the next language in your list.

You can also click the language indicator in your taskbar or menu bar to see all active languages and click the one you want. On Windows, this is usually in the bottom right corner. On Mac, it is in the top right corner. On Linux, it depends on your desktop environment, but it is typically in the top panel.

Some people set up a different keyboard shortcut if the default does not suit them. On Windows, you can customize this in Settings > Time & Language > Keyboard > Advanced Keyboard Settings. On Mac, go to System Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts > Input Sources. On Linux, check your desktop environment's keyboard settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a keyboard in one language and type in another?

Yes. When you change your keyboard language in settings, you are changing how your computer interprets key presses, not the physical labels on your keyboard. If your keyboard says "Q" but you have set it to French AZERTY layout, pressing that key will type the French character for that position. Use an on-screen keyboard to see where characters are until you learn the layout.

What if I add a language but it does not appear in my language list?

On Windows, make sure you are in Settings > Time & Language > Language & Region and clicked "Add a language" — not just "Add a keyboard." On Mac, check System Settings > Keyboard > Input Sources and confirm you clicked the + button. If the language still does not show, restart your computer and try again. On Linux, the language may not be installed on your system; check your package manager or system settings for language packs.

Can I remove a keyboard language I no longer need?

Yes. On Windows, go to Settings > Time & Language > Language & Region, find the language in your list, click it, and select "Remove." On Mac, open System Settings > Keyboard > Input Sources, select the language, and click the − button. On Linux, open your keyboard settings and remove the layout from your list. You can always add it back later.

Why does my keyboard layout not match the language I selected?

Some languages have multiple keyboard layouts. For example, French has AZERTY and BEPO layouts. When you add a language, check whether you selected the right layout for your physical keyboard. If you chose the wrong one, remove it and add it again, this time selecting the correct layout from the list.

Does changing my keyboard language affect other programs or files?

No. Changing your keyboard language only affects how your computer interprets key presses going forward. It does not change files you have already created, does not affect other users on your computer, and does not change the language of your operating system itself — only the language you type in.