Tamil Keyboard Online
Type in Tamil Online using the virtual keyboard below and then copy it to your clipboard.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of script is Tamil?
The Tamil script is an 'abugida', meaning its consonants have an inherent vowel sound ('a'). Other vowels are represented by adding diacritical marks to the consonants. It is one of the oldest writing systems in continuous use today.
How are consonants and vowels combined?
A base consonant like 'க' (ka) is modified by vowel signs. For example, adding the 'ா' sign creates 'கா' (kā), and adding 'ி' creates 'கி' (ki). Vowels can be added before, after, above, or below the consonant.
Does this keyboard support phonetic typing?
Yes! The easiest way to type is with 'Phonetic Typing' enabled. You can type using English letters that correspond to the Tamil sounds (e.g., 'vanakkam' will produce 'வணக்கம்').
Are there capital letters in the Tamil script?
No, the Tamil script does not have a distinction between uppercase and lowercase letters.
What is the dot above a consonant, like in 'க்'?
That is called a 'pulli' (்). It is a crucial diacritic that cancels the inherent 'a' vowel sound of a consonant, leaving just the pure consonant sound (e.g., 'க' (ka) becomes 'க்' (k)).
Why are there different letters for 'n' and 'l'?
Tamil distinguishes between different places of articulation. For example, there are dental 'ந' (na), alveolar 'ன' (ṉa), and retroflex 'ண' (ṇa) sounds, each with its own letter.
How do I write my name in Tamil?
Using the phonetic mode is the best approach. Sound out your name using English letters, and the tool will transliterate it into the most appropriate Tamil spelling.
Is this tool good for learning Tamil script?
It's an excellent resource for practicing typing and understanding how consonants and vowel signs combine to form syllables. It should be used alongside a good language course.
What are the Grantha letters like 'ஜ' and 'ஷ'?
These are 'Grantha' letters, which were incorporated into the Tamil script to write sounds from Sanskrit and other languages that don't exist in native Tamil, such as 'ja', 'sha', and 'ha'.
Do I need to install any special Tamil fonts?
No, most modern computers and smartphones come with fonts that fully support the Tamil script, such as 'Noto Sans Tamil'. Our tool works entirely in your browser.
Does Tamil use spaces between words?
Yes, modern written Tamil uses spaces to separate words, similar to English.
How can I copy the text I've typed?
Simply use the 'Copy Text' button. It will copy all the Tamil text in the text area to your clipboard.
What is the 'aytham' (ஃ)?
The 'ஃ' (ak) is a unique character in Tamil, technically a consonant, used in ancient texts and a few modern words to represent a specific sound, often an aspiration or fricative.
Why does the keyboard layout seem different from a standard Tamil keyboard?
Our virtual keyboard is arranged to show the base characters for easy clicking. The standard layout in India is Tamil 99, but our phonetic mode is often more intuitive for those used to QWERTY keyboards.
Is Tamil related to other Indian languages?
Tamil is a Dravidian language, which is a language family separate from the Indo-Aryan family that includes Hindi and Bengali. It is one of the world's longest-surviving classical languages.