How to Change Keyboard Layout in Ubuntu

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

This wikiHow teaches you how to start using a different keyboard layout in Ubuntu.

Things You Should Know

  • Open your Ubuntu settings. Then, click Region and Language > + . Choose a layout by clicking on it and then click Add .
  • The first layout shown in the Input Sources section is your default keyboard—select your chosen layout and tap the up-arrow (^) to move it up.
  • Switch between layouts by clicking the keyboard menu at the top-right corner of the screen.

Steps

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/7f\/Change-Keyboard-Layout-in-Ubuntu-Step-1-Version-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Change-Keyboard-Layout-in-Ubuntu-Step-1-Version-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/7f\/Change-Keyboard-Layout-in-Ubuntu-Step-1-Version-5.jpg\/aid617652-v4-728px-Change-Keyboard-Layout-in-Ubuntu-Step-1-Version-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    To do this, click the small down-arrow at the top-right corner of the desktop, and then click the icon of a wrench and a screwdriver. You can also get there by opening the Activities overview and clicking Settings . [1]
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f1\/Change-Keyboard-Layout-in-Ubuntu-Step-2-Version-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Change-Keyboard-Layout-in-Ubuntu-Step-2-Version-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f1\/Change-Keyboard-Layout-in-Ubuntu-Step-2-Version-5.jpg\/aid617652-v4-728px-Change-Keyboard-Layout-in-Ubuntu-Step-2-Version-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It's in the left panel. Your language and input settings will open in the right panel.
    Advertisement
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/1a\/Change-Keyboard-Layout-in-Ubuntu-Step-3-Version-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Change-Keyboard-Layout-in-Ubuntu-Step-3-Version-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/1a\/Change-Keyboard-Layout-in-Ubuntu-Step-3-Version-5.jpg\/aid617652-v4-728px-Change-Keyboard-Layout-in-Ubuntu-Step-3-Version-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This opens a list of languages.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/1c\/Change-Keyboard-Layout-in-Ubuntu-Step-4-Version-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Change-Keyboard-Layout-in-Ubuntu-Step-4-Version-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/1c\/Change-Keyboard-Layout-in-Ubuntu-Step-4-Version-5.jpg\/aid617652-v4-728px-Change-Keyboard-Layout-in-Ubuntu-Step-4-Version-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If you don't see the desired language, click the three vertical dots below the list to expand more options. If you still don't see it, click Other to display even more languages.
    • If you still don't see the layout you're looking for, close the window and press Ctrl + T to open a terminal window. Run the command settings set org.gnome.desktop.input-sources show-all-sources true and then return to the Region and Language tab to try again.
    • Depending on the language, you may have more than one layout from which to choose. For example, for English, you'll see English (US), English (Australia), English (Canada), English (United Kingdom), etc. Another example is for Cameroon—you'll find Cameroon Multilingual (Dvorak) and Cameroon Multilingual (QWERTY).
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/88\/Change-Keyboard-Layout-in-Ubuntu-Step-5-Version-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Change-Keyboard-Layout-in-Ubuntu-Step-5-Version-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/88\/Change-Keyboard-Layout-in-Ubuntu-Step-5-Version-5.jpg\/aid617652-v4-728px-Change-Keyboard-Layout-in-Ubuntu-Step-5-Version-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It appears at the top-right corner once you select a layout. This adds the layout to the Input Sources list.
  6. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/78\/Change-Keyboard-Layout-in-Ubuntu-Step-6-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Change-Keyboard-Layout-in-Ubuntu-Step-6-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/78\/Change-Keyboard-Layout-in-Ubuntu-Step-6-Version-3.jpg\/aid617652-v4-728px-Change-Keyboard-Layout-in-Ubuntu-Step-6-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    The first layout in the Input Sources section is the layout Ubuntu associates with your keyboard by default. If you'd like to choose a different default layout, select the layout, and then click the up-arrow (^) button below the list until it's at the top.
    • If you want to assign different layouts for certain windows (ex: You're writing in Spanish for one project, and English in another), click the Options button above the input list to view your settings for multiple inputs.
  7. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/98\/Change-Keyboard-Layout-in-Ubuntu-Step-7-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Change-Keyboard-Layout-in-Ubuntu-Step-7-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/98\/Change-Keyboard-Layout-in-Ubuntu-Step-7-Version-3.jpg\/aid617652-v4-728px-Change-Keyboard-Layout-in-Ubuntu-Step-7-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    When you have more than one keyboard layout in your list of Input Sources, a keyboard menu appears at the top-right corner of the screen. It'll be a small downward-pointing arrow with the first few letters of the language beside it. To switch between layouts, click this menu, and then choose another layout.
    8. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How can I create a keyboard shortcut to a specific keyboard layout without having to cycle over all layouts?
    flying 8lack
    Community Answer
    You have to setup Settings to point to keyboard driver through kernel mod, then set the shortcut in Settings.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 9 Helpful 12
  • Question
    How can I change the keyboard configuration in Ubuntu?
    Windows_Linux Pro
    Community Answer
    Reinstall Ubuntu, then select your keyboard layout. If you are afraid of losing your files, just back them up.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 47 Helpful 3
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      • You can also switch between layouts by pressing the Space Bar + Windows Key at the same time.
        Thanks
      • To remove a layout you don't want to use anymore, click it once to select it, and then click the trash can icon.
        Thanks
      • To change the keyboard layout at the command line using Ubuntu Server, use: sudo dpkg-reconfigure keyboard-configuration
        Thanks
      Show More Tips
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Install Opera Browser Through Terminal on Ubuntu
      Installing Windows After Ubuntu: A Step-by-Step Guide
      How to Install GNOME Desktop on Ubuntu: Full, Minimal, & Vanilla
      How to
      Uninstall Ubuntu Software
      How to
      Become Root in Ubuntu
      How to
      Format a USB Flash Drive in Ubuntu
      Ubuntu Software Installation: The Complete Beginner's Guide
      Simple Ways to Open a Terminal in Ubuntu
      How to
      Format a Hard Drive Using Ubuntu
      How to
      Install Ubuntu on VirtualBox
      How to Install Ubuntu Linux: Dual Boot with Windows or macOS
      Easily Run Windows Applications on Ubuntu Linux with Wine
      How to
      Enable the Windows Subsystem for Linux
      How to
      Change MAC Address on Ubuntu
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://help.ubuntu.com/stable/ubuntu-help/keyboard-layouts.html.en

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Open your Ubuntu Settings.
      2. Click Region & Language .
      3. Click + .
      4. Select a language.
      5. Click Add .
      6. Move the desired layout to the top of the list.

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 659,382 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement