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Free Online French Keyboard – Type French with All Accents Anywhere

Welcome to the most authentic French keyboard online (clavier français)! Our free virtual AZERTY keyboard gives you instant access to all French accented letters – é, è, ê, ë, à, â, ù, û, ç, î, ï, ô, œ – allowing you to type perfect French from any computer, tablet, or smartphone. Whether you're in Paris, Montreal, Brussels, or anywhere else in the world, AnyKeyboard brings French typing to your fingertips.

Why do hundreds of millions need an online French keyboard? French is spoken by 321 million people across 5 continents and is an official language in 29 countries including France, Canada, Belgium, Switzerland, and much of Africa. It's the second most learned language after English. However, most computers outside French-speaking regions use QWERTY keyboards without easy access to French accents. Our virtual AZERTY keyboard provides instant access – perfect for French students, travelers to France, business professionals, and the Francophone diaspora.

The AZERTY layout is the standard French keyboard, named after the first six letters on the top row. Unlike English QWERTY, AZERTY places A and Q, Z and W in swapped positions, and features direct keys for é, è, ç, à, and ù. Dead keys (^ and ¨) allow you to create circumflex (â, ê, î, ô, û) and diaeresis (ë, ï, ü) accents on any vowel. Our keyboard faithfully reproduces this layout, making it familiar to anyone who has typed French on a French computer.

Perfect for every French typing need: Write emails to French colleagues, compose documents for French markets, chat with French friends, practice for DELF/DALF exams, translate texts, study French literature (Molière, Hugo, Camus), or simply communicate in la langue de Molière. French accents are not optional – they change pronunciation and meaning (e.g., ou vs où, a vs à). Our keyboard makes typing them effortless.

Your privacy is guaranteed – all typing happens 100% locally in your browser. Nothing is ever sent to any server. Your French text stays on your device only. When you're done, copy your text with one click, save it as a file, or search directly on Google or YouTube.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an online French keyboard and who needs one?

An online French keyboard (clavier français) is a virtual AZERTY keyboard that lets you type French with all proper accents without installing any software. It's essential for the 321 million French speakers worldwide when using computers without French keyboard support – common outside France, Belgium, and French Canada. French students, business professionals dealing with Francophone markets, travelers, and the French diaspora all benefit from instant French typing access.

Why does French use AZERTY instead of QWERTY?

The AZERTY layout was developed in France in the late 1800s for French typewriters. It optimizes typing for French by placing frequently used accented letters (é, è, à, ù) on dedicated keys. The positions of A/Q and Z/W are swapped from QWERTY because these letters have different frequencies in French vs English. While some argue for reform, AZERTY remains the standard in France and is what French typists learn.

How do I type French accents like é, è, ê, ë?

Our AZERTY keyboard makes accents easy: é and è have dedicated keys. For circumflex (ê, â, î, ô, û), press the dead key ^ then the vowel. For diaeresis/tréma (ë, ï, ü), press the dead key ¨ then the vowel. The cedilla ç has its own key. All accents work exactly like on a physical French keyboard. These accents are essential – 'ou' (or) vs 'où' (where) have different meanings!

How do I type the French ligatures œ and æ?

The ligatures œ (as in 'cœur' – heart) and æ (as in 'ex æquo') are typed using AltGr combinations on the French keyboard. These connected letters are essential for correct French spelling – words like œuf (egg), sœur (sister), bœuf (beef), and œuvre (work) require the œ ligature. Our virtual keyboard supports all AltGr combinations.

Is this French keyboard really free to use?

Absolutely free! AnyKeyboard's French keyboard has no hidden costs, no registration required, no ads, and no usage limits. Type as much French as you want with all accents, ligatures, and special characters. Perfect for French homework, business correspondence, or staying connected with French-speaking friends and family.

Does the French keyboard work on iPhones, iPads, and Android devices?

Yes! Our French keyboard is fully responsive and works perfectly on all mobile devices – iPhones, iPads, Android phones, and tablets. The touch targets are optimized for finger tapping, and the AZERTY layout adapts to your screen size. You can type French comfortably on any device, anywhere.

How do I copy, save, or search my French text?

After typing, click 'Copy' to copy your French text to the clipboard – paste it anywhere (emails, documents, social media). Click 'Save' to download your text as a UTF-8 .txt file with all accents preserved. You can also click 'Google' or 'YouTube' to search your French text directly.

Is my French typing private and secure?

100% private. All typing happens locally in your browser – your French text is never sent to any server and never stored online. Your text exists only on your device until you close the tab. Only your theme preference and last selected layout are saved locally. Your personal correspondence remains completely private.

Can I switch between French, Belgian, Canadian, and Swiss keyboards?

Yes! AnyKeyboard supports multiple French keyboard variants. French (France) uses AZERTY, Canadian French uses a modified QWERTY, Belgian French has slight differences, and Swiss French has its own layout. Use the Layout dropdown menu to switch between them instantly. This is helpful for users who work across different Francophone regions.

Can I practice French typing and measure my speed?

Yes! Click 'Speed Test' to switch to typing practice mode. You'll see French sentences to type, and the system measures your words per minute (WPM) and accuracy in real-time. It's an excellent way to master the AZERTY layout and improve your French typing fluency.

Why are French accents so important?

French accents change both pronunciation AND meaning. The accent aigu (é) sounds like 'ay', accent grave (è) like 'eh', and circumflex (ê) often indicates a missing 's' from Old French. Examples: 'a' (has) vs 'à' (to), 'ou' (or) vs 'où' (where), 'sur' (on) vs 'sûr' (sure). The cedilla (ç) makes 'c' soft before a/o/u. Proper accents are mandatory in correct French writing.

Does the keyboard support the € (Euro) symbol?

Yes! The Euro symbol (€) is available via AltGr+E on the French AZERTY keyboard, just like on physical French keyboards. France was one of the founding members of the Eurozone, so the Euro symbol is essential for French typing. Other currency symbols and special characters are also accessible.

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