Where is Urdu spoken?
Urdu is the national language of Pakistan and is spoken widely in Pakistan and India. Urdu-speaking communities can also be found across South Asia and throughout the global diaspora.
Help centre
Frequently Asked Questions
Clear answers about the Urdu language, its writing system and the best way to start writing online.
اردو ہے جس کا نام ہمیں جانتے ہیں داغؔ
سارے جہاں میں دھوم ہماری زباں کی ہے
سارے جہاں میں دھوم ہماری زباں کی ہے
Using Write Urdu
Tools, privacy and exports
Short answers about the browser-based editors and creative tools.
Is Write Urdu free and do I need an account?
Yes. The public tools are free to use and no account is required. Local drafts are optional and stay in this browser.
Is Roman Urdu transliteration the same as translation?
No. Transliteration changes Roman Urdu input into Urdu script. It does not translate the meaning from one language to another, so review suggestions before sharing.
Can I export Word, PDF, PNG or a QR code?
The rich editor supports document exports, the basic editor supports text and image exports, Card Studio creates PNG cards, and the QR Generator creates static PNG or SVG codes.
Does Write Urdu track QR scans?
No. The QR Generator creates static codes locally and does not add a Write Urdu redirect or scan-analytics identifier.
Can I use the tools on a phone?
Yes. The keyboard, editors, Card Studio and QR Generator adapt to mobile browsers. Some export and sharing options depend on browser support.
Language and script
Answers to common questions
These concise explanations cover the questions we hear most often from new Urdu writers.
If I learn Urdu, will it help me with any other languages?
Everyday spoken Urdu and Hindi share much of their grammar and basic vocabulary, so learning one can make conversation in the other easier. Their standard written forms differ: Urdu normally uses a Perso-Arabic script in the Nastaliq style, while Hindi uses Devanagari. Learning the Urdu alphabet can also make some letter forms in Persian and Arabic more familiar, although each language has its own spelling and pronunciation.
Are Hindi and Urdu two different forms of the same language?
Standard Urdu and standard Hindi are closely related registers of Hindustani. Their conversational forms are often mutually intelligible, but formal vocabulary can differ: Urdu draws more heavily on Persian and Arabic, while Hindi draws more heavily on Sanskrit.
Their writing systems are distinct. Hindi is written from left to right in Devanagari; Urdu is written from right to left in a Perso-Arabic script, commonly displayed in the Nastaliq calligraphic style.