How to type Japanese

1 · Add the Japanese keyboard

It’s free and already built into your computer or phone. You only do this once.

1. Windows 10 and 11Settings → Time & language → Language & region → Add a language → Japanese.Switch keyboards with Win + Space, then press Alt + ` (the key left of 1) to flip between A and あ.
2. MacSystem Settings → Keyboard → Text Input → Edit… → + → Japanese → Romaji.Switch with Control + Space or the 🌐 key.
3. iPhone and iPadSettings → General → Keyboard → Keyboards → Add New Keyboard… → Japanese → Romaji.Tap 🌐 on the keyboard to switch.
4. Android (Gboard)Gboard settings → Languages → Add keyboard → Japanese → QWERTY → Done.Tap 🌐 on the keyboard to switch.

2 · Type in rōmaji

Type the sounds and the kana appear as you go. Five rules cover almost everything:

You type	You get
ka ki ku ke ko	かきくけこOne sound at a time, just like the charts.
konnnichiha	こんにちはnn = ん. Yes, three n’s here: nn for ん, then ni.
kitte	きってDouble the next letter for a small っ.
ko-hi-	こーひーThe hyphen key gives the long mark ー.
watashi ha	わたしはThe particles は, を and へ are typed ha, wo and he (and said wa, o and e).

3 · Katakana and kanji

1. Katakana: type the word, then press F7 on Windows or Control + K on a Mac. こーひー becomes コーヒー.
2. Kanji: press Space to see the candidates, pick one with the arrow keys, then press Enter.
3. On your phone: the candidates appear right above the keyboard. Just tap the one you want.

Practice: Oni wa Soto! and Kana Speedrun are played in rōmaji too, so every game is typing practice. Tadashi once typed konnichiha with two n’s and wished the whole class こんいちは. Don’t be Tadashi.