Khmer Keyboard Online
Type in Khmer Online using the virtual keyboard below and then copy it to your clipboard.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Khmer script?
The Khmer script is the writing system used for the Khmer language, the official language of Cambodia. It's an 'abugida' script descended from the ancient Pallava script of Southern India.
Why does the Khmer alphabet have so many characters?
The Khmer script holds the Guinness World Record for the longest alphabet! It has a large number of consonants, vowels, and diacritics to represent the rich sound system of the language.
What are the 'a-series' and 'o-series' consonants?
Khmer consonants are divided into two series. The series of the consonant determines which vowel sound a dependent vowel sign will produce. For example, the same vowel sign will make a different sound when attached to an 'a-series' consonant versus an 'o-series' one.
How do vowels work in Khmer?
Khmer has independent vowel characters for starting a syllable, and a large number of dependent vowel signs that are written above, below, before, or after a consonant to modify its sound.
Is there a phonetic typing mode for Khmer?
Phonetic typing for Khmer is very complex and not currently offered in this tool. You can use the virtual keyboard to click on the characters you need.
What are the 'subscript' consonants?
When two consonants appear together in a cluster, the second consonant is often written in a smaller, subscript form below the first. This is a key feature of Khmer orthography.
Is this keyboard good for learning Khmer?
It's a very useful tool for becoming familiar with the character set. Typing out words helps with memorization, but it should be paired with a comprehensive language course to learn grammar and pronunciation.
Does Khmer use spaces between words?
No, traditionally Khmer is written without spaces between words. Spaces are used to separate sentences or clauses, much like a period or comma in English.
Are there capital letters?
The Khmer script does not have a distinction between uppercase and lowercase letters.
How do I type my name in Khmer?
Transcribing a foreign name into Khmer involves finding the closest phonetic equivalents. For example, 'David' might be written as 'ដាវីឌ'. This can be complex and often requires a native speaker's help for accuracy.
What are the Khmer numerals?
Khmer has its own beautiful set of numerals (០, ១, ២, ៣...). While Arabic numerals are also widely used today, the traditional numerals are still common, especially in formal contexts.
Can I copy and paste the text from this keyboard?
Yes, absolutely. The text you type can be copied using the 'Copy Text' button and pasted into any application that supports Unicode.
Why do some vowels appear before the consonant I type?
This is a feature of the script. Even if a vowel sound is pronounced after a consonant, its written form might appear before, above, or below the consonant character. Text editors handle this rendering automatically.
Is the Khmer script related to Thai or Lao?
Yes, all three scripts are descended from the same ancient Brahmic script family. You can see similarities in their structure, though the character shapes themselves are distinct.
Do I need to install any special fonts?
Most modern operating systems, like Windows 10/11 and macOS, have built-in support and fonts for the Khmer script, so you shouldn't need to install anything.