Enabling compose key to type unicode on Linux

The compose key may be used to type unicode characters easily on Linux systems…

  1. Identify the key you want to use as your compose key, I use the ‘Windows’ key:
    • Run the application xev
    • Press the key you want to use as your compose key
    • Note down the keycode value (my Windows key identifies as keycode=133)
  2. Edit the file ~/.Xmodmap and insert the line
    keycode 133 = Multi_key
  3. Run xmodmap ~/.Xmodmap

All of these commands should be executed as a normal user, no root access required.
Restart X and you will be able to use unicode:

<Compose key> + " + u = ü
<Compose key> + ' + e = é
<Compose key> + o + r = ®
<Compose key> + - + y = ¥

and many more…