The Complete Arabic Alphabet: All 28 Letters with Pronunciation
Reviewed: August 27, 2026 · 9 min read
The Arabic alphabet has 28 letters, is written right to left, and each letter slightly changes shape depending on its position in the word. Here are all 28 letters with their names and Latin equivalents (including the "Arabizi" digits like 3 for ع).
Three Things Every Beginner Should Know
- No capital letters: Arabic has none — letters change by position (initial, medial, final) instead.
- Short vowels (fatha, damma, kasra) are optional marks written above or below letters.
- Six letters (ا د ذ ر ز و) never connect to the letter after them.
How Arabic Letter Shapes Change
Most letters connect to the letters on both sides. Their basic identity stays the same, but the visible shape changes with position.
| Letter | Isolated | Initial | Medial | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ba | ب | بـ | ـبـ | ـب |
| Ayn | ع | عـ | ـعـ | ـع |
| Mim | م | مـ | ـمـ | ـم |
The Six Non-Connecting Letters
The letters ا د ذ ر ز و connect to a letter before them, but not to the next letter. For example, ورد contains breaks after و and ر. A break is normal here—it is not a typing error.
Pronunciation Groups to Learn First
- Familiar sounds: ب b, ت t, د d, ف f, ك k, ل l, م m, ن n.
- Throat sounds: ح ḥ, خ kh, ع ʿ, غ gh. Learn these by listening and repeating, not from spelling alone.
- Emphatic sounds: ص ṣ, ض ḍ, ط ṭ, ظ ẓ. They are pronounced with a heavier, retracted tongue position.
Practice Right Now
Learn seven letters at a time, copy one short word for each group, then type it again without looking. Use the QuickArabi online Arabic keyboard — every key shows the Arabic letter plus its Latin hint — and measure your progress with the typing speed test. If your device has no Arabic layout yet, follow the Windows setup guide or the mobile setup guide.