Korean keyboard

한국어 자판

Your keys follow the Korean 2-set layout printed on each cap: consonants on the left hand, vowels on the right. G K S gives 한. Shift gives the doubled consonants ㄲ ㄸ ㅃ ㅆ ㅉ.

The standard 2-set Hangul layout. Type the letters and they assemble into syllable blocks.

Korean words to try

Tap a word to put it in the box above, or type it yourself with the keys shown.

WordMeaningKeys
HelloD K S S U D G K T P D Y
Thank youR K A T K G K Q S L E K
Korean languageG K S R N R D J
I love youT K F K D G O
ChickenE K F R

Which key types which Korean letter

Every key on an English (US) keyboard and what it types on this korean keyboard. The same table is printed on the caps above, in the corner of each key.

Your keyTypesWith Shift
Q
W
E
R
T
Y
U
I
O
P
A
S
D
F
G
H
J
K
L
Z
X
C
V
B
N
M

How Hangul typing works

Hangul is an alphabet of 24 basic letters, called jamo, that are written in syllable blocks. 한 is one block made of three letters: ㅎ (h), ㅏ (a) and ㄴ (n). On a Korean keyboard you type the letters one by one and the keyboard assembles the blocks for you, so typing ㅎ ㅏ ㄴ ㄱ ㅡ ㄹ produces 한글, not a row of loose letters.

This keyboard does that assembly as you type, on screen or on your physical keys. It also handles the case that surprises beginners: when a vowel follows a finished block, the last consonant jumps across to start the next one. Type 안 and then ㅕ and you get 아녀, because Korean syllables start with a consonant. Backspace takes a block apart one letter at a time, the way a Korean keyboard does.

The 2-set (Dubeolsik) layout

Dubeolsik, the "two-set" layout, is the national standard in South Korea and the default on every Korean computer and phone. Consonants are on the left half of the keyboard and vowels on the right, so typing alternates between hands. You do not need to learn it to use this page, since the letters are on the caps, but after an hour of typing here most people find they know the common keys.

Where the Korean letters are
RowLeft hand: consonantsRight hand: vowels
Top (Q to P)ㅂ ㅈ ㄷ ㄱ ㅅㅛ ㅕ ㅑ ㅐ ㅔ
Home (A to L)ㅁ ㄴ ㅇ ㄹ ㅎㅗ ㅓ ㅏ ㅣ
Bottom (Z to M)ㅋ ㅌ ㅊ ㅍㅠ ㅜ ㅡ

Double consonants and compound vowels

The five tense consonants ㄲ ㄸ ㅃ ㅆ ㅉ are on Shift with their plain partners: Shift+R gives ㄲ, Shift+T gives ㅆ. So are the two vowels ㅒ and ㅖ (Shift+O and Shift+P).

Compound vowels are typed as two keys and join automatically: ㅗ then ㅏ gives ㅘ (as in 과), ㅜ then ㅓ gives ㅝ, ㅡ then ㅣ gives ㅢ. Double final consonants work the same way: ㄹ then ㄱ at the end of a block gives ㄺ, as in 닭.

Setting up Korean on your own device

  • Windows: add Korean under Language and region. Switch to Korean with Win+Space, then toggle between Hangul and English with the Right Alt key (the 한/영 key on Korean keyboards).
  • Mac: System Settings, Keyboard, Input Sources, add Korean "2-Set Korean". Switch with Ctrl+Space or Caps Lock.
  • Phone: add Korean in Gboard or the iPhone keyboard and choose the 2-set (표준) layout; it matches this one.

Frequently asked questions

How do I type Korean on an English keyboard?

Type in the box on this page. Each key types the Korean letter printed on its cap, and the letters join into syllable blocks automatically: G, K, S gives 한.

Why did my last consonant move to the next syllable?

Korean syllables start with a consonant, so a vowel after a finished block takes the final consonant with it: 안 + ㅕ becomes 아녀. That is how every Korean keyboard behaves.

How do I type ㄲ, ㄸ, ㅃ, ㅆ and ㅉ?

Hold Shift with the plain consonant: Shift+R for ㄲ, Shift+E for ㄸ, Shift+Q for ㅃ, Shift+T for ㅆ and Shift+W for ㅉ.

What is the Korean keyboard layout called?

Dubeolsik, or 2-set. It is the South Korean national standard.

How many letters does the Korean alphabet have?

24 basic letters, 14 consonants and 10 vowels, plus double consonants and compound vowels built from them.