How to type Korean on an English keyboard

You do not need a Korean keyboard to type Korean. Every computer and phone already has the standard Korean layout, called 2-set (두벌식), and it sits on top of the normal QWERTY keys. Once you add it, you type the letters of each syllable in order and the computer builds the blocks for you. Every key sequence in this guide was generated with the same table our free Korean typing trainer uses.

Step 1: add the Korean keyboard

• Windows 10/11 — Settings → Time & language → Language & region → Add a language → Korean. Switch keyboards with Windows key + Space. The Korean keyboard starts in English mode: press the 한/영 key, or Right Alt on most keyboards, to switch to Hangul.
• Mac — System Settings → Keyboard → Text Input → Edit → + → Korean → 2-Set Korean. Switch with Control + Space or the globe key.
• iPhone — Settings → General → Keyboard → Keyboards → Add New Keyboard → Korean → Standard.
• Android (Gboard) — Gboard settings → Languages → Add keyboard → Korean, then pick the QWERTY-style 2-Bulsik layout.

Step 2: the three rules of the layout

1. Consonants on the left, vowels on the right. The left-hand keys (Q W E R T, A S D F G, Z X C V) are consonants; the right-hand keys (Y U I O P, H J K L, N M) are vowels. The one exception is B, which is the vowel ㅠ.
2. Shift makes the double consonants. Shift + Q W E R T gives ㅃ ㅉ ㄸ ㄲ ㅆ, and Shift + O P gives ㅒ ㅖ. Nothing else needs Shift.
3. Combined letters are typed as two keys. ㅘ is ㅗ + ㅏ (H then K), and a double final such as ㄺ in 읽다 is ㄹ + ㄱ (F then R).

You never press anything to "finish" a syllable. If you type a consonant and then a vowel, the computer moves that consonant into a new block. That is why gksk gives 하나 and not 한ㅏ.

The Korean keyboard layout chart shows every key with its finger, and you can print the one-page keyboard sheet to keep next to your laptop.

Step 3: ten words, key by key

Type the letters in the "keys" column with the Korean keyboard on. A capital letter means hold Shift.

Fingers: L = left hand, R = right hand; 2 = index, 3 = middle, 4 = ring, 5 = little finger.

Notice how 떡볶이 needs Shift twice (ㄸ and ㄲ), and how 괜찮아 needs two keys for ㅙ (ㅗ + ㅐ) and two for ㄶ (ㄴ + ㅎ). If a word ever comes out wrong, check for one of these two cases first.

Step 4: build speed

Looking at the keyboard is fine for the first day. After that, cover your hands and use the typing trainer, which goes from home-row letters to full words and shows your speed. When the letters feel easy, the 322-word practice list has K-pop, K-drama and everyday words with their keys. If you are still learning the letters themselves, start with the 7-day Learn Korean path, and when you can type, try writing your phone number in Korean.