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Practise Kannada typingOnline Kannada Keyboard – Type in Kannada Instantly
All Keyboards is a free online Kannada keyboard that lets you type in Kannada (Kannada script) directly in your browser – no software or fonts to install. Type with your own keyboard or click the on-screen keys using the standard Kannada – Inscript layout, or simply speak and let voice typing write Kannada for you. Copy the text into WhatsApp, email, Word or social media, download it as a file, print it, or translate it into English and other languages in one click.
How to Use the Kannada Keyboard
- Choose the layout. Keep Keyboard Type on Kannada – Inscript to type in Kannada, or switch to English – QWERTY for English.
- Or type in Roman letters. In English – QWERTY mode, type Kannada words the way they sound – for example namaste – and pick the Kannada word from the suggestions.
- Start typing. Click the keys of the on-screen keyboard with your mouse or finger, or type on your computer keyboard – each key produces the Kannada letter printed on it, for example k → ಕ and e → ಾ.
- Use Shift and Caps Lock for more letters. They switch to the second set of characters – more consonants and the full vowels, such as ಖ, ಘ, ಆ and ಈ (Shift + k → ಖ).
- Use Ctrl or Alt for special characters. The third set holds the Kannada numerals ೧ ೨ ೩ and other signs.
- Type by voice. Click the microphone in the text box and speak in Kannada – your words appear as Kannada text (works in Chrome and Edge).
- Save or share your text. Use the toolbar above the text box to start a new text, download it as a .txt file, copy, print, share it on WhatsApp or by email, work in full screen, or translate it into English and other languages.
How to Join Consonants and Vowels to Make Kannada Words
Kannada is written in syllables. Every consonant already contains a short "a" sound, so ಕ is read ka. To write a different vowel after a consonant, you add a vowel sign – the consonant with every vowel sign is called the kāguṇita (ಕಾಗುಣಿತ). To join two consonants, you use the halanta (್): the second consonant is then written small under the first, as an ottakṣara (ಒತ್ತಕ್ಷರ).
Three rules to remember
- Consonant + vowel sign: ಕ + ಾ = ಕಾ (kā) – press k e.
- Vowel signs on top: many signs replace the little tick on top of the letter – ಕಿ (ki) – press k f.
- Consonant + halanta + consonant: ಕ್ + ಕ = ಕ್ಕ (kka) – the second letter goes below – press k d k.
Practice words
| Word | Meaning | Letters | Keys to press |
|---|---|---|---|
| ಅಮ್ಮ | mother | ಅ + ಮ + ್ + ಮ | Shift+d c d c |
| ನೀರು | water | ನ + ೀ + ರ + ು | v r j g |
| ಮನೆ | house | ಮ + ನ + ೆ | c v z |
| ಭಾರತ | India | ಭ + ಾ + ರ + ತ | Shift+y e j l |
| ಕನ್ನಡ | Kannada | ಕ + ನ + ್ + ನ + ಡ | k v d v [ |
| ನಮಸ್ಕಾರ | hello | ನ + ಮ + ಸ + ್ + ಕ + ಾ + ರ | v c m d k e j |
| ಪ್ರೀತಿ | love | ಪ + ್ + ರ + ೀ + ತ + ಿ | h d j r l f |
Want to learn every letter first? See the complete Kannada alphabet with pronunciation and examples.
About the Kannada Language
Kannada (ಕನ್ನಡ) is a Dravidian language and the official language of Karnataka. It is written in the Kannada script, a rounded script very close to Telugu that is also used for Tulu, Konkani and Kodava. Kannada puts the verb at the end of the sentence (ನಾನು ನೀರು ಕುಡಿಯುತ್ತೇನೆ – "I water drink") and adds endings to words to show their role. Its literature has won eight Jnanpith Awards, India's highest literary honour – more than any other Dravidian language.
- Script
- Kannada script (ಕನ್ನಡ ಲಿಪಿ)
- Language family
- Dravidian
- Official status
- Official language of Karnataka; classical language of India since 2008
- Related languages
- Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Tulu, Kodava
How old is Kannada?
The Halmidi inscription, the oldest known stone inscription in Kannada, dates from around 450 CE, and the oldest surviving book, the Kavirajamarga, from the 9th century – so Kannada has more than 1,500 years of written history. India recognised it as a classical language in 2008.
How many people speak Kannada?
About 44 million people named Kannada as their mother tongue in India's 2011 Census, and around 60 million speak it including those who use it as a second language.
Where is Kannada spoken?
Kannada is spoken mainly in Karnataka, including Bengaluru and Mysuru, and in the border areas of Maharashtra, Goa, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. Kannada communities also live in the USA, the UK, Australia and the Gulf countries.
Karnataka celebrates Kannada Rajyotsava (ಕನ್ನಡ ರಾಜ್ಯೋತ್ಸವ) on 1 November, the day in 1956 when the Kannada-speaking regions were united into one state.
Common Kannada Phrases
A greeting and everyday phrases, to see how Kannada looks. Click a phrase to add it to the text box.
Kannada Alphabet at a Glance (Akṣaramāle)
The Kannada alphabet is called akṣaramāle (ಅಕ್ಷರಮಾಲೆ). It has vowels (ಸ್ವರಗಳು), consonants (ವ್ಯಂಜನಗಳು) and two extra signs (ಯೋಗವಾಹಕಗಳು). Every consonant carries a built-in "a" sound, and the vowels after it are written as vowel signs.
Vowels ಸ್ವರಗಳು 13
ಅ ಆ ಇ ಈ ಉ ಊ ಋ ಎ ಏ ಐ ಒ ಓ ಔ
Written as full letters at the start of a word or on their own.
Extra signs 2
ಅಂ ಅಃ
Anusvara – a nasal "m / n" sound. Visarga – a short breathy "h".
Consonants ವ್ಯಂಜನಗಳು 34
- Velar
- ಕ ಖ ಗ ಘ ಙ
- Palatal
- ಚ ಛ ಜ ಝ ಞ
- Retroflex
- ಟ ಠ ಡ ಢ ಣ
- Dental
- ತ ಥ ದ ಧ ನ
- Labial
- ಪ ಫ ಬ ಭ ಮ
- Semivowels
- ಯ ರ ಲ ವ
- Sibilants, h & ḷa
- ಶ ಷ ಸ ಹ ಳ
Grouped by where in the mouth the sound is made – from the throat forward to the lips.
Joined letters ಸಂಯುಕ್ತಾಕ್ಷರ 2
ಕ್ಷ ಜ್ಞ
Two consonants joined – taught as letters of their own.
Numerals ಅಂಕಿಗಳು
೦ ೧ ೨ ೩ ೪ ೫ ೬ ೭ ೮ ೯
Kannada digits. Everyday Kannada also often uses the international digits 0–9.
Vowel signs ಕಾಗುಣಿತ
ಕ ಕಾ ಕಿ ಕೀ ಕು ಕೂ ಕೆ ಕೇ ಕೈ ಕೊ ಕೋ ಕೌ ಕಂ ಕಃ
Vowel signs added to a consonant. The halanta (◌್) removes the vowel: ಕ್.
Hear every letter and practise reading on the Kannada alphabet page.
Kannada Keyboard – Frequently Asked Questions
How do I type in Kannada?
Click the keys of the on-screen Kannada – Inscript keyboard, or type on your own keyboard – each key types the Kannada character shown on it. You can also switch Keyboard Type to English – QWERTY, type Kannada words in Roman letters and pick the word from the suggestions.
Is the online Kannada keyboard free?
Yes. The keyboard, translator, typing tutor and image to text tool are free to use, with no sign-up and nothing to install.
Do I need to install Kannada fonts?
No. The page loads a Unicode font for the Kannada script, so Kannada text shows correctly in any modern browser, and the text you copy works in WhatsApp, Word and email.
How many letters does the Kannada alphabet have?
The Kannada alphabet has 13 vowels, 34 consonants and 2 extra signs. See every letter with its pronunciation on the alphabet page.
Where is Kannada spoken?
Kannada is spoken mainly in Karnataka, including Bengaluru and Mysuru, and in the border areas of Maharashtra, Goa, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. Kannada communities also live in the USA, the UK, Australia and the Gulf countries.
Can I translate Kannada text?
Yes. Type your text, choose a language next to Translate and press the button – the translator opens with your text translated into English or any other supported language.
Can I type Kannada by voice?
Yes. Click the microphone in the text box and speak in Kannada – it works in Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge.
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