Arabic Keyboard for Windows
Type Arabic on Windows 11 and Windows 10 right here in your browser — no download — or follow the steps below to add the built-in Arabic keyboard to Windows. Click the on-screen letters, use your own keys (Arabic 101 layout), or type by sound, add harakat, then Copy and paste anywhere.
Last updated: June 2026 · Windows 11 & Windows 10
Quick answer: To add an Arabic keyboard on Windows 11, open Settings → Time & language → Language & region → Add a language, choose Arabic, and install it. Press Windows + Space to switch between English and Arabic. You don’t have to change your display language, and there is nothing extra to download. Prefer not to install anything? Type in the keyboard above and copy your text.
Type Arabic on Windows right now — no download
The keyboard at the top of this page is a full Arabic keyboard for Windows that runs in your browser. Click the on-screen letters, use your own physical keys (they follow the standard Arabic 101 layout), or switch to Transliteration and type by sound — salam becomes سلام. Add harakat, tap Copy, and paste into Word, WhatsApp, Chrome, or any app. This is the fastest option on a shared, work, or school PC where you can’t change Windows settings, or when you just need one quick sentence.
How to add the Arabic keyboard on Windows 11
Arabic is built into Windows — there is no app to buy or download, only a language pack to switch on:
- Open Settings (Windows + I) → Time & language → Language & region.
- Click Add a language, search Arabic, pick your variant (e.g. Arabic (Saudi Arabia), Arabic (Egypt), Arabic (Morocco)) and click Next.
- On the options screen you can untick the display-language and language-pack boxes — you only need Keyboard. Click Install.
- After a few seconds, ARA appears in the taskbar. Press Windows + Space to start typing Arabic.
Add Arabic without changing your display language
This is the number-one worry — and the answer is no, your PC will not turn Arabic. Adding a language installs its keyboard layout only; your menus, Start screen and apps stay in English unless you separately set Arabic as the Windows display language. If the interface ever switches by accident, go back to Language & region and set Windows display language to English.
Windows 10, Windows 8 and Windows 7
Windows 10: Settings → Time & Language → Language → Add a preferred language → Arabic → Install. Switch with Windows + Space or Left Alt + Shift.
Windows 8.1: Control Panel → Clock, Language, and Region → Language → Add a language → Arabic.
Windows 7: Control Panel → Region and Language → Keyboards and Languages → Change keyboards → Add → Arabic, then switch with Left Alt + Shift.
Switch between English and Arabic
- Windows + Space — cycle through every installed keyboard (the easiest; works on Windows 10 and 11).
- Left Alt + Shift — the classic two-language toggle.
- Click the ENG / ARA indicator beside the clock to pick a language with the mouse.
- You can change or disable these in Advanced keyboard settings → Input language hot keys.
Which Arabic layout should you choose: 101, 102 or 102 AZERTY?
When you open Language options for Arabic you can add different keyboard layouts. The Arabic letters sit in the same positions on all of them — what changes is the extra key and the punctuation, which should match the physical keyboard your hardware uses:
| Layout | Physical keyboard | Difference | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arabic (101) | US / ANSI | The standard Arabic layout | Most US and Gulf keyboards |
| Arabic (102) | European / ISO | One extra key, European punctuation | UK & European keyboards |
| Arabic (102) AZERTY | French AZERTY | AZERTY numbers & punctuation | Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia & France |
If you’re in the Maghreb or France and your laptop has a French AZERTY keyboard, choose Arabic (102) AZERTY so the numbers and punctuation match the keys printed on your machine. On a typical US keyboard, stick with Arabic (101) — it is the same layout used by the on-screen keyboard above, so practice here carries straight over.
Arabic regional variants (Saudi, Egypt, Morocco, UAE…)
Windows lists Arabic by country, but for typing the letter positions are identical across Arabic (Saudi Arabia), Arabic (Egypt), Arabic (Morocco), Arabic (Algeria) and the rest. What changes is the locale: the default number format, currency and calendar. Pick the country closest to you for correct dates and numerals — it won’t move the letters.
How to type harakat (tashkeel) on the Windows layout
On the physical Arabic (101) layout the short-vowel marks live on the Shift layer. Type the letter first, then hold Shift and press the matching key to stack the mark on it:
| Mark | Name | Windows keys |
|---|---|---|
| َ | Fatha | Shift + Q |
| ً | Tanween Fath | Shift + W |
| ُ | Damma | Shift + E |
| ٌ | Tanween Damm | Shift + R |
| ِ | Kasra | Shift + A |
| ٍ | Tanween Kasr | Shift + S |
| ْ | Sukun | Shift + X |
| ّ | Shadda | Shift + ` (key above Tab) |
Prefer to click them instead? The Arabic keyboard with harakat adds every diacritic with one tap.
Arabic-Indic vs Western numbers (١٢٣ or 123)
Some apps show Arabic-Indic numerals (٠١٢٣) when you type in Arabic, while others keep Western digits (0123). This is controlled by the app and your region’s number format, not by the keyboard. To force Western numbers, adjust the number format in Settings → Time & language → Language & region → Administrative language settings, or in Region. In Microsoft Word, File → Options → Advanced → Numeral lets you choose Context, Arabic or Hindi.
Troubleshooting & removing an Arabic keyboard
The Arabic keyboard isn’t showing up
Open Language & region, click the … next to Arabic → Language options, and confirm a keyboard is listed under Keyboards. If not, click Add a keyboard and choose Arabic (101).
Wrong letters appear when I type
You probably added the wrong layout (101 vs 102). Add the correct one under Language options → Add a keyboard, then remove the other.
I can’t switch with Windows + Space
You need at least two keyboards installed. Check them in Advanced keyboard settings, and make sure no other app has captured the shortcut.
Remove an Arabic keyboard
Language & region → Arabic → Language options → Keyboards, select the keyboard and click Remove. To remove Arabic entirely, click the … next to Arabic and choose Remove.
Arabic keyboard on other devices
Using more than one device? See our guides for Arabic on Mac, Arabic on iPhone, Arabic on Android, typing Arabic on WhatsApp, or test your speed with the Arabic typing test. French speaker? Use the clavier arabe.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I add an Arabic keyboard on Windows 11?
Settings → Time & language → Language & region → Add a language → Arabic → Install. Then press Windows + Space to switch. You don’t need to change your display language.
How do I add it on Windows 10?
Settings → Time & Language → Language → Add a preferred language → Arabic → Install. Switch with Windows + Space or Left Alt + Shift.
Can I type Arabic without changing my display language?
Yes. Adding Arabic installs only the keyboard layout; your Windows menus stay in English unless you separately set Arabic as the display language.
How do I switch between English and Arabic?
Press Windows + Space to cycle keyboards, or Left Alt + Shift, or click the ENG / ARA indicator on the taskbar.
What’s the difference between Arabic 101 and 102?
The Arabic letters are in the same place. 101 suits US/ANSI keyboards; 102 adds one key and European punctuation; 102 AZERTY matches French keyboards used in Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and France.
Which Arabic keyboard should I pick in Morocco, Algeria or France?
If your laptop has a French AZERTY keyboard, choose Arabic (102) AZERTY so the punctuation and numbers match your keys.
How do I type harakat (tashkeel) on Windows?
On the Arabic 101 layout, hold Shift: Fatha = Shift+Q, Damma = Shift+E, Kasra = Shift+A, Sukun = Shift+X, Shadda = Shift+`. Or click them in our harakat keyboard.
Do I need to download an Arabic keyboard for Windows?
No. Arabic is built into Windows for free — you only switch on the language pack. Or use the online keyboard on this page with no setup at all.
How do I get Western numbers (123) instead of ١٢٣?
It’s set by the app and your region’s number format, not the keyboard. Change the number format in Region settings, or in Word use File → Options → Advanced → Numeral.
How do I remove an Arabic keyboard?
Language & region → Arabic → Language options → Keyboards → select it → Remove.