How to Type Hamza in Arabic
Type any hamza form — ء أ إ ؤ ئ آ — right here in your browser: tap it on the keyboard, then Copy. Below, a clear table shows how to type each form on Windows, Mac and iPhone, plus the simple rule for choosing the correct seat (alif, waw or ya).
Last updated: June 2026
Quick answer: Arabic has six hamza forms — ء (on the line), أ / إ (on alif), ؤ (on waw), ئ (on ya) and آ (alif madda). Tap any of them on the keyboard above, or use your device’s keys (table below). Which seat to use is decided by the strongest neighbouring vowel: kasra → ya, damma → waw, fatha → alif, none → the line.
The 6 hamza forms — and how to type each
Type the letter on the keyboard above by tapping it, or use the physical keys shown here (standard Arabic 101 layout, the same one the on-screen keyboard uses):
| Form | Name | Windows / Mac (Arabic 101) | iPhone / Android | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ء | Hamza on the line (mufrada) | X key | long-press the ئ/ء key | شيء |
| أ | Hamza on alif (above) | Shift + H | long-press ا | أَكَل |
| إ | Hamza under alif | Shift + Y | long-press ا | إسلام |
| ؤ | Hamza on waw | C key | long-press و | مؤمن |
| ئ | Hamza on ya (nabra) | Z key | long-press ي | رئيس |
| آ | Alif madda | Shift + N | long-press ا | آمَن |
On the on-screen keyboard above, the hamza forms sit on the third and fourth rows — just tap the one you need and it drops into your text.
Which seat does the hamza sit on? The simple rule
A medial or final hamza “rides” on a chair (ا, و or ي) chosen by the strongest vowel around it. The strength order is kasra (i) > damma (u) > fatha (a) > sukun (no vowel):
| Strongest vowel | Seat | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Kasra (i) | on ya → ئ | بِئر (bi’r), رئيس (ra’īs) |
| Damma (u) | on waw → ؤ | مؤمن (mu’min), سؤال (su’āl) |
| Fatha (a) | on alif → أ | سأل (sa’ala) |
| Sukun / none | on the line → ء | شيء (shay’), جزء (juz’) |
At the start of a word the hamza always sits on an alif — above it with fatha or damma (أ) and below it with kasra (إ). Compare both vowels: in سَأَلَ the fatha dominates, so the hamza takes alif → أ.
Type hamza on Windows, Mac, iPhone & Android
- Windows & Mac: add the Arabic keyboard, then use the keys in the table above. See Arabic on Windows and Arabic on Mac.
- iPhone: long-press ا for أ إ آ, و for ؤ, and ي for ئ. See Arabic on iPhone.
- Android (Gboard): long-press the base letter and choose the hamza form from the popover.
- No setup: tap the form on the keyboard above and copy it — works on any device.
Hamzat al-wasl (ٱ) vs hamzat al-qat’ (أ / إ)
Hamzat al-qat’ is the hamza carried on an alif (أ, إ) and is always pronounced. Hamzat al-wasl is a connecting alif that is silent when it follows another word — you hear it only at the very start of speech. It appears in the definite article الـ, in command verbs like اكتب, and in words like ابن and اسم. In vocalised text it can be marked ٱ; in everyday writing it’s just a plain alif.
Common hamza mistakes to avoid
- Bare alif ا instead of أ: writing اكل for أكل — the plain alif is a long vowel, not a hamza.
- Alif maqsura ى vs ya ي: ى spells a final “aa” and never takes dots; ي spells “ee/y”.
- Wrong seat: writing مسئول vs مسؤول — apply the strongest-vowel rule to pick the right chair.
- Dropped hamza on mobile: tap-typing a plain letter instead of long-pressing for the hamza form.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I type hamza on an iPhone?
Long-press ا for أ إ آ, و for ؤ, and ي for ئ.
How do I know which seat the hamza goes on?
Strongest vowel wins: kasra → ya ئ, damma → waw ؤ, fatha → alif أ, none → the line ء.
How do I type a standalone hamza?
Tap ء above, or press the X key on the Arabic 101 layout.
What’s the difference between hamzat al-wasl and al-qat’?
Al-qat’ (أ إ) is always pronounced; al-wasl is a connecting alif that’s silent after a previous word.
Why does only a plain alif appear?
A bare alif is a long vowel, not a hamza — long-press the letter (phone) or tap the form above.
Alif maqsura (ى) vs ya (ي)?
ى spells a final “aa” and never starts a word or takes dots; ي spells “ee/y”.
How do I type alif madda (آ)?
Tap آ above, long-press ا on a phone, or press Shift+N on Arabic 101.
Can I type hamza without installing a keyboard?
Yes — tap the form on the keyboard above and copy it into any app.