Convert Urdu script into Roman Urdu, one consistent spelling for the whole text
Upload an Urdu .txt, Word or Markdown file and get it back in Roman Urdu: the same Urdu words in Latin letters, spelled the same way from the first page to the last, everyday or scholarly with diacritics. The first part is free without an account; a text of up to about 200 pages is $5.
- One spelling throughout: the same word written the same way every time
- Everyday Roman Urdu or scholarly romanization with diacritics
- Short vowels written in, since Urdu script leaves them out
- Every line kept: poetry stays in couplets
- Word files switched to left to right
Why consistency matters
Roman Urdu written by hand varies from line to line: "mohabbat", "muhabbat", "mohabat". For a reader that is fine in a chat, but in a book, a song sheet or a speech it slows reading and looks careless. This tool applies the same instructions to every block of the text, so the spelling chosen for a word stays the same throughout.
Urdu script does not write most short vowels, so the converter has to know how each word is pronounced. Names with an established Latin spelling, such as a person's official name, should be listed under "Never change" in that spelling.
Two styles
Everyday style follows how Roman Urdu is commonly typed, without special characters, so anyone can read it. Scholarly style marks long vowels and some consonants with diacritics, useful for study, language teaching and reading poetry with correct pronunciation.
Who uses it
- Families abroad whose children speak Urdu but do not read the script
- Singers and qawwals learning lyrics
- Speakers preparing an Urdu speech they will read aloud
- Urdu teachers preparing material for beginners
How the tool works, what it costs and how your files are handled is on the Transliterate Text page; prices for every tool are on the pricing page.
Last updated
Questions and answers
Is this a translation into English?
No. The words stay Urdu, written in Latin letters.
Can I convert a 50-page Urdu book?
Yes, if it is text (not a scan). Up to about 200 pages for $5. For a scanned book, convert it with Scanned PDF to Word first.
Does poetry keep its lines?
Yes. Every paragraph must come back with the same number of lines; one that does not is converted again.
Is it free?
The first part is free. A text of up to 40 paragraphs is converted free in full.