Learn Tamil Typing

Learn how to type Tamil using English letters with this beginner-friendly guide. Explore the Tamil language, Tamil script, vowels, consonants, pronunciation, and phonetic typing.

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About Tamil Language

Tamil (தமிழ்) is one of the world's oldest continuously spoken and written languages, with a literary tradition spanning more than two thousand years. It is recognized as one of the Classical Languages of India.

Tamil belongs to the Dravidian language family and is spoken by millions of people across Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Malaysia, and Tamil communities around the world.

Tamil is written using the Tamil script, an ancient Brahmic writing system with its own unique letters and writing conventions. The script is known for distinctive characters such as ழ (zha), one of the most recognizable sounds in the language.

Tamil Script

The Tamil script is an abugida writing system derived from the ancient Brahmi script. Every consonant carries an inherent vowel unless modified by a vowel sign or the Pulli (்).

Modern Tamil uses 12 independent vowels, 18 native consonants, one special character (ஆய்த எழுத்து), and several Grantha letters for writing Sanskrit loanwords and foreign names.

Written from left to right
Uses the Tamil script
Contains vowels, consonants, and Grantha letters
Uses vowel signs (matras) and the Pulli (்)

Learn Tamil Letters

These are the core Tamil letters. Click any letter to insert it directly into the typing editor above.

Vowels (உயிரெழுத்துகள்)

Consonants (மெய்யெழுத்துகள்)

Additional Letters

Tamil Numerals

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Tamil - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the script used to write Tamil?+−

Tamil is written using the Tamil script, one of the oldest continuously used writing systems in the world. It is primarily used to write the Tamil language.

How many vowels are there in Tamil?+−

Tamil has 12 independent vowels (உயிரெழுத்துகள்). These vowels represent the basic vowel sounds used in the language.

How many consonants are there in Tamil?+−

Tamil has 18 native consonants (மெய்யெழுத்துகள்). In addition, Grantha letters are used to represent sounds found in Sanskrit and some foreign words.

What is the special letter 'ஃ' in Tamil?+−

The character 'ஃ', called Aytham (ஆய்த எழுத்து), is a unique letter in the Tamil script. It is used in classical Tamil and in certain modern transliterations and borrowed words.

What are Tamil vowel signs (matras)?+−

Tamil vowel signs are marks added to consonants to change their vowel sound. These dependent vowel signs combine with consonants to form complete syllables in written Tamil.

Is Tamil written from left to right?+−

Yes. Tamil is written from left to right and uses an abugida writing system, where each consonant has an inherent vowel unless modified by a vowel sign or the Pulli (்).

Where is Tamil spoken?+−

Tamil is primarily spoken in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and the Union Territory of Puducherry. It is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore and is spoken by millions of Tamil communities around the world.

Why is Tamil considered one of the world's oldest languages?+−

Tamil has a recorded literary history spanning more than two thousand years. It is recognized as a Classical Language of India and continues to be widely spoken and written today.