Arabic Keyboard Shortcuts: The Complete 2026 Reference

Every keyboard shortcut you need for Arabic typing — language switching, harakat input, special characters, RTL text, and productivity shortcuts.

Knowing the right keyboard shortcuts dramatically accelerates Arabic typing. This reference covers every category of Arabic keyboard shortcut: switching between Arabic and English, entering harakat, accessing special Arabic characters, RTL text direction shortcuts, and document formatting shortcuts for Arabic content in major software.

Language Switching Shortcuts

Operating System	Shortcut	Action
Windows 11 / 10	`Win` + `Space`	Cycle through installed keyboard languages
Windows (Alt+Shift)	`Left Alt` + `Shift`	Switch to next keyboard language
macOS	`Ctrl` + `Space`	Switch input source/keyboard language
macOS (alternate)	`Cmd` + `Opt` + `Space`	Open input source picker
Ubuntu Linux	`Super` + `Space`	Switch keyboard layout
Chrome OS	`Ctrl` + `Shift` + `Space`	Switch keyboard language

Arabic Harakat (Diacritics) Shortcuts

On the Arabic 101 layout (Windows), harakat are typed with Shift + key combinations:

Shortcut	Diacritic	Name
`Shift` + `Q`	َ	Fatha
`Shift` + `W`	ً	Tanwin Fath
`Shift` + `E`	ُ	Damma
`Shift` + `R`	ٌ	Tanwin Damm
`Shift` + `A`	ِ	Kasra
`Shift` + `S`	ٍ	Tanwin Kasr
`Shift` + `X`	ْ	Sukoon
`Shift` + `	ّ	Shadda
`Shift` + `Z`	ٓ	Maddah

Arabic Special Character Shortcuts

These special Arabic characters are typed directly on the Arabic 101 keyboard:

Shortcut	Character	Description
`Shift` + `K`	لا	Lam-Alef ligature
`,` (comma key)	،	Arabic comma (،)
`Shift` + `/`	؟	Arabic question mark (؟)
`Shift` + `.`	؛	Arabic semicolon (؛)
`Shift` + `5`	ـ	Tatweel / Kashida (extension)

RTL Text Direction Shortcuts

App / System	Shortcut	Action
Google Docs	`Ctrl` + `Shift` + `R`	Toggle RTL (Right-to-Left)
Google Docs	`Ctrl` + `Shift` + `L`	Toggle LTR (Left-to-Right)
Microsoft Word	`Ctrl` + `Right Shift`	Set paragraph RTL
Microsoft Word	`Ctrl` + `Left Shift`	Set paragraph LTR
LibreOffice Writer	`Ctrl` + `Shift` + `D`	Toggle BiDi text direction

Arabic Number Row on Windows Arabic Keyboard

On Windows with Arabic 101 keyboard active, the number row outputs Eastern Arabic numerals:

Key	Output (Arabic)	Value
`1`	١	One
`2`	٢	Two
`3`	٣	Three
`4`	٤	Four
`5`	٥	Five
`6`	٦	Six
`7`	٧	Seven
`8`	٨	Eight
`9`	٩	Nine
`0`	٠	Zero

To type Western Arabic numbers (1-9) while on the Arabic keyboard, use the Shift key with number row keys.

💡 Productivity Tip: Configure Windows or macOS to switch languages with a single key press rather than a two-key combination. On Windows: Settings → Time & Language → Typing → Advanced Keyboard Settings → Input Language Hot Keys. You can set any key (like Caps Lock or Right Ctrl) as a dedicated language switch key.

⌨ Use Arabic Shortcuts on Our Web Keyboard

All Arabic shortcuts work within our browser-based keyboard tool.

Open Arabic Keyboard

⌨ Arabic with All Shortcuts Enabled

⌨ Arabic Keyboard ⏱ Typing Test

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Frequently Asked Questions

On the Arabic 101 keyboard, the Arabic comma (،) is on the comma key (,) in Arabic mode. If it types a Western comma instead, ensure your keyboard is switched to Arabic (not English) mode. The Arabic question mark (؟) is on Shift+/ and the Arabic semicolon (؛) is on Shift+. (period key).

Yes. When the Arabic keyboard layout is active on Windows, the number row (1-9, 0) types Eastern Arabic numerals (١٢٣٤٥٦٧٨٩٠) directly. To type Western numerals on the Arabic keyboard, use Shift+number key. On our web keyboard, use the Numerals tab to insert either numeral style.

Yes. On the Arabic 101 keyboard layout, Shift+5 types the Tatweel (ـ, also called Kashida — U+0640). This character extends the baseline connections between letters for visual stretching, used in Arabic calligraphy and design contexts. It should not be used in ordinary text to stretch spacing (that breaks text semantics).