Learn the Arabic Alphabet: 28 Letters with Sounds, Forms & Pronunciation Tips
The Arabic alphabet has 28 letters and is read from right to left. Tap any letter to hear it, see which English sound it is closest to, learn where to place your tongue and throat, and practice it with short vowels.
How to use this guide
Arabic is written and read right to left, the opposite of English. That is why the letter grid below starts on the right with Alif.
Tap a letter
Hear its name and see its closest English sound.
Follow the mouth tip
Learn exactly where your tongue, lips, or throat should be.
Practice with vowels
Repeat the letter with a, i, and u sounds, then try the example word.
The 28 Arabic letters
Filter by difficulty if you like. Some letters sound familiar; others need practice with a tutor.
ا
Alif
Familiar soundSounds like
Mouth tip
Shapes in a word
Practice with short vowels
Example word
Your device may not have an Arabic voice installed. Add one in your language or speech settings, or try Chrome, Edge, or Safari.
Romanized sounds are only an approximation. Dots under letters (ḥ, ṣ, ḍ, ṭ, ẓ) mark deeper sounds.
Sounds English speakers often confuse
Tap each letter in a pair and listen to the difference.
Pronunciation tips for English speakers
Two different “th” sounds
ث is the “th” in think; ذ is the “th” in this. Place the tongue tip lightly between your teeth for both.
Tap the Arabic “r”
ر is a quick tap of the tongue tip, like the “tt” in the American pronunciation of butter.
Back-of-the-mouth sounds
خ, غ, and ق come from the back of the mouth. Keep the front of your tongue relaxed and work from the back.
Throat sounds
ح and ع have no English match. They are made by gently tightening the throat, so slow, guided practice helps.
Heavy vs. light letters
ص ض ط ظ sound full and deep. Round your mouth and raise the back of the tongue, and the vowel after them becomes deeper too.
Six letters don’t connect forward
ا د ذ ر ز و join only to the letter before them, so they have no initial or medial shape.
Arabic alphabet: frequently asked questions
How many letters are in the Arabic alphabet?
The Arabic alphabet has 28 letters. It is written and read from right to left, and most letters change shape depending on their position in a word.
Which Arabic sounds don’t exist in English?
The most unfamiliar sounds are ح, خ, ع, غ, and ق, plus the heavy letters ص, ض, ط, and ظ. They are made in the throat or the back of the mouth, so listening and correction from a tutor helps a lot.
Is Arabic hard to learn for English speakers?
The script and a few sounds feel unfamiliar at first, but the alphabet is very regular. With guided practice, learners can start recognizing the letters quickly and build from there.
Why do Arabic letters look different in a word?
Arabic is a connected script. Most letters have up to four forms (isolated, initial, medial, and final) so they can join smoothly to their neighbors.
What is the difference between the Arabic alphabet and Noorani Qaida?
The alphabet teaches the letters and their sounds. Noorani Qaida builds on that by teaching how to read connected letters, vowel marks, and basic Tajweed rules so you can begin reading the Quran.
Can I learn the Arabic letters with a live tutor?
Yes. Siraat Mustaqeem offers live, one-on-one online classes for beginners, including Noorani Qaida and Quranic Arabic, with a free introductory trial available.
Want a tutor to correct your pronunciation?
Practice the letters in a live one-on-one class with a certified tutor, at your own pace and level.