Arabic Keyboard for Chromebook
Type Arabic on any Chromebook right here in your browser — no setup, and it even works on locked school Chromebooks. Tap the on-screen letters, type by sound, add harakat, then Copy and paste into Docs, Gmail or any app. Or follow the steps below to add the Arabic input in ChromeOS settings.
Last updated: June 2026 · ChromeOS
Quick answer: The fastest way to type Arabic on a Chromebook is to type in the keyboard above and tap Copy — no setup, and it works even on a managed school Chromebook. To add the built-in input instead, open Settings → Advanced → Languages and inputs → Inputs and keyboards → Add input methods → Arabic, then switch with Ctrl + Space.
Type Arabic on a Chromebook right now — no setup
The keyboard at the top of this page is a full Arabic keyboard for Chromebook that runs in your browser. Click the on-screen letters, or switch to Transliteration and type by sound — salam becomes سلام. Add harakat, tap Copy, and paste into Google Docs, Gmail, Classroom or WhatsApp Web. Nothing to install, no settings to change — and crucially, it works on a school or work Chromebook where you can’t add inputs.
How to add the Arabic keyboard in ChromeOS settings
- Open Settings (click the clock, then the gear).
- Go to Advanced → Languages and inputs → Inputs and keyboards.
- Click Add input methods, search Arabic, tick the Arabic keyboard and click Add.
| Step | Where |
|---|---|
| 1. Open settings | Clock → gear icon |
| 2. Find inputs | Advanced → Languages and inputs → Inputs and keyboards |
| 3. Add Arabic | Add input methods → Arabic → Add |
| 4. Switch | Ctrl + Space |
Arabic vs Arabic phonetic — which to pick
ChromeOS offers more than one Arabic input:
| Input | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Arabic | Native Arabic key layout | People who know the Arabic keyboard |
| Arabic (phonetic) | Type Latin letters, get Arabic by sound | Beginners and diaspora learners |
How to switch to the Arabic keyboard
- Ctrl + Space — toggle to your last input method.
- Ctrl + Shift + Space — cycle through all input methods.
- Click the input indicator on the shelf (next to the clock) and choose Arabic.
Can’t add Arabic on a school or managed Chromebook? Do this
If your Chromebook is issued by a school or workplace, the administrator often locks the input methods, so “Add input methods” is greyed out or Arabic never appears. You don’t need to fight the policy:
- Use the on-screen Arabic keyboard at the top of this page — it needs no admin rights, no install, and no settings change.
- Type your Arabic, tap Copy, and paste it straight into your Google Docs, Classroom assignment, or Gmail.
- It also avoids the permissions a Chrome extension would ask for (which managed devices usually block).
How to type harakat (tashkeel) on a Chromebook
The built-in ChromeOS Arabic layout gives only limited access to the short-vowel marks. The keyboard above adds every diacritic with one tap — Fatha, Damma, Kasra, Sukun, Shadda and the Tanween — then you Copy the vocalised text. For the full reference, see the Arabic keyboard with harakat.
Copy Arabic into Google Docs, Gmail, Classroom & WhatsApp Web
Type above, tap Copy, then paste. Google Docs, Gmail and Classroom all detect Arabic and align it right-to-left automatically — that’s correct. For chat, paste into WhatsApp Web the same way.
Troubleshooting
The Arabic keyboard types English
The active input is still English — press Ctrl + Space or pick Arabic from the shelf indicator.
Arabic appears left-to-right
That’s a right-to-left rendering quirk in some fields; in Docs it auto-corrects. Paste Arabic on its own line if a field misbehaves.
“Add input methods” is greyed out
Your Chromebook is managed and inputs are locked — use the on-screen keyboard above instead.
Official resources for the Arabic keyboard on Chromebook
To add the Arabic keyboard on a Chromebook from settings, see Google’s guide:
- Choose your keyboard’s language — Google (Chromebook)
- Part of the Arabic Keyboard hub — see also Android and Windows.
Arabic keyboard on other devices
Also see our guides for Windows, Mac, iPhone and Android, or test your speed with the Arabic typing test. French speaker? Use the clavier arabe.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an Arabic keyboard on my Chromebook?
Settings → Advanced → Languages and inputs → Inputs and keyboards → Add input methods → Arabic. Or type in the keyboard above with no setup.
How do I type Arabic on a school Chromebook that won’t let me add inputs?
The admin has locked inputs — use the on-screen keyboard above (no admin rights, no install) and copy into Docs or Classroom.
What’s the shortcut to switch to Arabic?
Ctrl + Space (toggle) or Ctrl + Shift + Space (cycle), or the shelf input indicator.
What’s the difference between Arabic and Arabic phonetic?
Arabic is the native layout; Arabic phonetic converts Latin letters to Arabic by sound (easier for beginners).
How do I type harakat on a Chromebook?
Use the diacritics row in the keyboard above (the built-in layout’s access is limited), then copy.
Do I need an extension?
No — extensions need install/permissions (often blocked at school); the tool here runs in any tab.
How do I copy Arabic into Google Docs or Gmail?
Type above, press Copy, paste; they handle right-to-left automatically.
My Arabic keyboard types English — how do I fix it?
Press Ctrl + Space or choose Arabic from the shelf input indicator.