Chinese Keyboard Online
Type pinyin in the box below and pick the Chinese characters you want. This free online Chinese keyboard works in any browser, with nothing to install, and types Simplified characters.
Start by typing pinyin, for example nihao:
1. 你好
How to use the Chinese keyboard
- Type pinyin in the top box, without tone marks or numbers. Matching characters and words appear underneath.
- Press a number key (1 to 5) to pick one, or click it. If the first suggestion is right, press Space, Enter or Tab.
- When there are more than 5 suggestions, press 6 for the next page and 0 to go back.
- Your text builds up in the big box. Select it and copy it to paste anywhere.
Tips for typing faster
- Type whole words or short phrases in one go, without spaces: xiexie gives 谢谢 and woxuexi gives 我学习. A space picks the first suggestion, so don't put spaces between syllables.
- Type v for ü: lvse gives 绿色 (lǜsè, green) and nv gives 女 (nǚ, woman).
- A single letter shows the most common characters starting with it: n offers 你, 年, 能 and more.
- If nothing matches, the box offers your letters as they are. Check the spelling (zh, ch and sh are easy to mix up), or type fewer syllables at a time.
To type Chinese in any app, not just on this page, add a pinyin keyboard to your computer or phone. Our guide to how to type Chinese on any device shows how on Windows, Mac, iPhone and Android.
How to get started learning to type Chinese using Pinyin?
If you're just getting started learning Chinese, pinyin is essential in learning how to pronounce and type Chinese characters. It breaks down each character into familiar letters, allowing you to type Chinese on your keyboard using all your existing keys. Many learners get started by reading Pinyin first, rather than attempting to dive in and read Chinese characters straight away.
Our beginner's guide to learning Chinese pinyin gives you a head start, and use our pinyin chart with audio to hear how every syllable sounds.
Common questions
Can I type Traditional Chinese characters?
Not with this keyboard: it types Simplified characters, as used in mainland China and Singapore. To type Traditional characters, add a Traditional Chinese keyboard to your own device. Our guide to typing Chinese on any device covers the options.
Do I need to type the tones?
No. Type the letters only and choose the right character from the suggestions. Many characters share the same letters, so the most common come first.
Does it work on a phone?
Yes, it works in any browser. On a phone it's usually quicker to add a Chinese keyboard to the phone itself, which our typing guide explains step by step.
More free tools: see all our Chinese learning tools.
