How to change keyboard language and layout in Windows/Mac

How to change keyboard language and layout in Windows and Mac is something most people end up looking for once they start typing in more than one language or switch to a different keyboard layout. Changing the keyboard language or layout makes typing more accurate, reduces constant corrections, and lets you work comfortably across different apps, documents, and regions. So to help you get set up, here’s how to change the keyboard language and layout in Windows and Mac.

How to change keyboard language and layout in Windows and Mac

Changing your keyboard language or layout can make a big difference in how comfortable and accurate typing feels. 

It’s especially useful for bilingual users, programmers, and anyone using an external or international keyboard, where the default layout doesn’t always match what’s on the keys. With that in mind, here’s how to change keyboard language and layout on both Windows and Mac:

Changing keyboard language and layout in Windows

Windows lets you add multiple keyboard languages and switch between them instantly. To do this, all you need to do is:

1. Open Language settings

Press Windows + I to open Settings, then go to Time & Language and select Language & region.

2. Add a new keyboard language

Under Preferred languages, click Add a language, search for the language you want, and install it. Make sure the keyboard option stays enabled during setup. Windows will automatically add a matching keyboard layout.

3. Change or add a keyboard layout

Click the language you added, select Language options, then scroll to Keyboards and click Add a keyboard. Choose the layout you want, such as QWERTY or AZERTY. From this same menu, you can remove any layouts you don’t need.

4. Switch keyboard language quickly

You can switch between keyboard languages by pressing Windows + Space, or by clicking the language icon in the taskbar.

Changing keyboard language and layout on Mac

macOS manages keyboard languages using Input Sources and to change the keyboard language and layout on Mac, you’ll need to first:

1. Open keyboard settings

Click the Apple menu, go to System Settings, select Keyboard, and open Input Sources.

2. Add a keyboard language or layout

Click Add Input Source, choose the language you want, then select the keyboard layout and click Add. You can add multiple layouts under the same language if needed.

3. Switch keyboard language on Mac

To switch layouts, click the input menu in the menu bar, or press Control + Space to cycle through your available keyboards.

4. Set a default keyboard layout

Drag your preferred input source to the top of the list. macOS will use this layout by default.

ALSO READ: How to change the keyboard on your Android phone or tablet

That’s how you change keyboard language and layout on your machine.