How to print UTF-8 characters on the c++ console?

Question

The console incorrectly displays accented characters. How to print them correctly (UTF-8)?

Answer 1

You’re probably referring to the Windows console, or cmd.exe.

By default, the cmd.exe does not work with the encoding outgoing UTF-8, also known as the Code Page code 65001.

To change it, just type the command in the console:

chcp 65001

Alternatively you can start the console already with the encoding output adjusted to UTF-8, let’s see:

1) Press Windows + R;

2) Execute the following command:

cmd.exe /K chcp 65001 

Follows a program in C++ able to test if the console has been configured correctly:

#include <iostream>
#include <locale>


int main(){

    setlocale( LC_ALL, "" );

    std::wstring ch = L"你好世界";
    std::wstring gk = L"γειά σου κόσμος";
    std::wstring jp = L"こんにちは世界";
    std::wstring ko = L"여보세요 세계";
    std::wstring pt = L"Olá mundo!";
    std::wstring ru = L"Здравствулте мир!";

    std::wcout << L"Chinês    : " << ch << std::endl;
    std::wcout << L"Grego     : " << gk << std::endl;
    std::wcout << L"Japonês   : " << jp << std::endl;
    std::wcout << L"Coreano   : " << ko << std::endl;
    std::wcout << L"Português : " << pt << std::endl;
    std::wcout << L"Russo     : " << ru << std::endl;

}

Exit:

Chinês    : 你好世界
Grego     : γειά σου κόσμος
Japonês   : こんにちは世界
Coreano   : 여보세요 세계
Português : Olá mundo!
Russo     : Здравствулте мир!

References:

chcp: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/windows-commands/chcp

Answer 2

1st declare the library: #include <locale.h>
2º place at the beginning of the main function:
setlocale(LC_ALL,""); // Este comando pega a codificação da maquina que está rodando.

#include <iostream>
#include <locale.h>    
using namespance std;
int main(){

setlocale(LC_ALL,"");

cout <<"Acento é legal =D "<< endl;

}