How to Type Arabic on Any Keyboard (Windows, Mac, Phone and Online)

To type Arabic, add Arabic as a keyboard language – in Windows under Settings → Time & language → Language & region, on a Mac under System Settings → Keyboard → Text Input – and switch with Windows key + Space or Control + Space. Without a setup, type online with an Arabic on-screen keyboard and copy the text.

Type Arabic online

Open the Arabic keyboard: the text box writes from right to left, and your normal keys type Arabic letters on the standard Arabic (101) layout. Copy the text into any app when you are done, or type by voice.

Windows 11 and 10

1. Settings → Time & language → Language & region → Add a language, search for Arabic and choose a country (the keyboards are the same).
2. Under the language options you can choose Arabic (101) – the common layout – or Arabic (102) and Arabic (102) AZERTY.
3. Switch with Windows + Space or Alt + Shift.

Mac

Open System Settings → Keyboard → Text Input → Edit… → + and add Arabic. Choose Arabic – PC to match the Windows layout, Arabic for Apple's own layout, or Arabic – QWERTY, which puts letters on similar-sounding English keys. Switch with Control + Space.

Android and iPhone

In Gboard: Settings → Languages → Add keyboard → Arabic. On iPhone: Settings → General → Keyboard → Keyboards → Add New Keyboard → Arabic. Tap the globe key to switch.

The Arabic (101) home row

How to type tashkeel (harakat)

Short vowels are typed with Shift after the letter on the Arabic (101) layout:

Learn every letter with sound on the Arabic alphabet page.