Write Arabic Without an Arabic Keyboard: Three Simple Steps
You do not need keyboard stickers or an installed layout. Type a word the way it sounds – marhaba – and get مرحبا in Arabic script, ready for WhatsApp, e-mail or documents.
How to do it
- Type the word as it sounds, for example shukran. Numbers stand in for sounds English does not have: 3 for ع, 7 for ح, 5 for خ and 2 for the hamza ء.
- The Arabic script appears instantly. If a word can be spelled several ways, you get alternatives to tap.
- Press Copy and paste the result into any app.
Try it right here
Words to try
These examples show what the converter does. Type any of them into the box above.
| You type | Arabic | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| salam | سلام | peace; hello |
| marhaba | مرحبا | hello |
| shukran | شكرا | thank you |
| ahlan | أهلا | welcome |
| habibi | حبيبي | my dear |
| inshallah | إن شاء الله | God willing |
| yalla | يلا | come on, let's go |
| mabrouk | مبروك | congratulations |
| bismillah | بسم الله | in the name of God |
| alhamdulillah | الحمد لله | praise be to God |
When this is the best option
On a phone you do not have to set up a second keyboard just to write a few words. On a school, work or borrowed computer you often cannot install anything. And if you do not know the Arabic layout, typing by sound is faster than hunting for letters on an unfamiliar keyboard. The result is ordinary Unicode text, which your device displays from right to left when you paste it.
Honest limits
The converter works phonetically: it compares your input with word lists and picks the most likely spelling. Many words have several valid spellings, so check the alternatives under the result. For official documents, tattoos or contracts, have the text checked by someone who reads Arabic.
What if I want to type Arabic all the time?
Then it is worth adding the Arabic keyboard to your operating system. The guides below cover iPhone, Android and Windows, and the interactive layout and typing trainer help you learn it.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an Arabic keyboard or an app?
No. The converter runs in your browser on any phone, tablet or computer. There is nothing to download and no account to create.
How do I write sounds like ع, ح and خ?
With numbers: 3 stands for ع, 7 for ح, 5 for خ and 2 for the hamza ء. This is the usual chat spelling, also called Arabizi or Franco-Arabic.
Can I paste the result into WhatsApp or Word?
Yes. The result is ordinary text. When you paste it, your device displays it from right to left automatically.
Is my text stored?
No. It is sent to our server only to be converted and is not stored. Details are in the privacy policy, which is available in German.