webcomposekeybeta

Browser-based Compose Key

Running in all major web browsers on Windows, Mac OS X, Linux and other UNIX-like systems, webcomposekey presents a fast, intuitive, and cross-platform method for entering characters not available on a user’s keyboard. It combines the speed of keyboard-driven methods such as Compose key and Windows Alt codes with the visual feedback of mouse-driven character maps and virtual keyboards. E.g.,

Browser-based input method for many world languages and Unicode

webcomposekey expands on the Compose Key concept by also providing easy-to-remember input schemes for many world languages. E.g.,

In addition, every Unicode character from U+0000 to U+FFFF can be entered by typing its 4-digit hexadecimal number. E.g.,

Quick start

  1. Click here to test webcomposekey right on this page.
  2. When you see the WCK widget in the upper right-hand corner of your browser window, you can move the mouse to the symbols in its top bar to change modes and learn keyboard shortcuts.
  3. Feel free to add composed characters in the fields below.
    • E.g., type a e to insert æ, s s to insert ß, 1 2 to insert ½.
    • Press Esc to leave Compose mode (to enter uncomposed characters).
    • Press Ctrl-Alt-C to re-enable Compose mode.


  4. To use webcomposekey on any web page, drag this WCK link to your bookmarks.
    • IE users: right-click on the link and choose Add to Favorites.

What’s new

Sequences can now (experimentally) be entered with mouse clicks (or equivalent touch events on touch screens).