How to Read and Write Urdu

Urdu looks very different from English, but it follows a few simple rules. Learn these seven rules first and every lesson on this site will make more sense.

1. Read and write from right to left

Urdu starts on the right side of the page and moves to the left. A book opens from what an English reader would call the back. Only numbers are written left to right, even inside Urdu text: ۲۰۲۶ is 2026.

2. There are 39 letters, but no capital letters

The Urdu alphabet has 39 letters in this course (some books count 38 by treating ی and ے as one). There are no capital and small letters. Many letters share one basic shape and differ only by their dots:

3. Letters join together

Inside a word, letters join like joined-up handwriting. Most letters get shorter when they join and only show their full shape at the end of a word. For example ک + ت + ا + ب becomes کتاب (kitaab, book).

4. Nine letters never join to the next letter

ا د ڈ ذ ر ڑ ز ژ و join to the letter before them but never to the letter after. That is why you see small gaps inside words like دروازہ (darwaaza, door).

5. Short vowels are usually not written

The short sounds a, i and u are small marks called zabar, zer and pesh. Books for adults usually leave them out, so کم can be kam or kum. You learn the sound of each word with its spelling. That is why every lesson here gives you Roman Urdu as well. Long vowels are always written with ا و ی ے.

6. One sound can have several letters

Urdu took letters from Arabic and Persian, so some sounds have more than one letter: s is س ص ث, z is ز ذ ض ظ, t is ت ط and h is ہ ح. Learn each word's spelling as you meet it.

7. Urdu is written in Nastaliq style

Most Urdu is printed in Nastaliq, a flowing style where each word slopes down from top right to bottom left. Arabic is usually printed in Naskh, which sits on a flat line. The letters are the same; only the style is different.

English and Urdu side by side

How to read a new word, step by step

1. Start at the right end of the word.
2. Find each letter by its main shape, then check the dots.
3. Notice any gap: the letter before it is one of the nine non-joiners.
4. Read the long vowels (ا و ی ے) first; they tell you most of the sound.
5. Check the Roman Urdu or listen to the audio for the short vowels.

How to write Urdu, step by step

1. Start on the right of the line and move left.
2. Write the main shape of each letter first, joining it to the next one without lifting the pen where you can.
3. Add the dots and small marks after the whole word is written.
4. Leave a small gap after a non-joining letter.
5. Practise with the free tracing worksheets, or type with the Urdu keyboard using English keys.

Where to go next

Start with the lessons, beginning with the alphabet, or tap the alphabet cards to hear every letter.

Questions and answers

Is Urdu written from left to right or right to left?

Urdu is written and read from right to left. Only numbers are written left to right, even inside Urdu text.

How many letters are in the Urdu alphabet?

This course teaches 39 letters. Some books count 38, because they treat Choti Yay (ی) and Bari Yay (ے) as one letter. Others list more by counting aspirated sounds like بھ and پھ separately.

Is Urdu the same script as Arabic?

Urdu uses the Arabic script with extra letters for sounds Arabic does not have, such as ٹ ڈ ڑ پ چ گ. It is usually printed in the Nastaliq style, while Arabic is usually printed in Naskh.

Why are some vowels missing in Urdu words?

Short vowels (a, i, u) are shown with small marks called zabar, zer and pesh, and these are usually left out in normal text. Long vowels are always written with ا و ی ے. Learners use Roman Urdu or audio to know the short vowels.

Do Urdu letters have capital letters?

No. Urdu has no capital or small letters. Instead, many letters change shape depending on whether they come at the start, middle or end of a word.

Which Urdu letters do not join?

Nine letters never join to the letter after them: ا د ڈ ذ ر ڑ ز ژ و. They still join to the letter before them, which is why you see small gaps inside some words.

I speak Hindi. Is reading Urdu hard for me?

Spoken Hindi and Urdu are very close, so you already know much of the vocabulary and grammar. Your main task is learning the Urdu script, which most Hindi speakers can start reading within a few weeks of regular practice.

How long does it take to learn to read Urdu?

With 15 to 20 minutes of practice a day, most beginners can recognise all the letters in two to three weeks and read simple words soon after. Reading fluently takes longer and comes with regular reading.

How can I type Urdu without an Urdu keyboard?

Use the free Urdu keyboard on this site. Turn on 'Type Urdu with English keys' and type b for ب, p for پ, sh for ش and so on.