How to Add a Persian (Farsi) Keyboard on Windows
Add a Persian (Farsi) keyboard on Windows 10 and 11 in minutes. Simple setup, a phonetic option, and fixes for common Farsi typing issues on your PC.
Why Type Farsi on Windows
Reading Farsi on a screen is easy. Typing it on a PC is where learners stall. Without a Persian keyboard on Windows, you cannot write emails in Farsi, search in Persian, or type practice sentences in real script.
Windows makes this simple. Both Windows 10 and 11 include Persian out of the box. You only switch it on.
This guide covers the setup on each version, a phonetic option for beginners, and the small typing quirks that confuse new writers.
Add Persian on Windows 11
Windows 11 has Persian built in.
- Open Settings, then Time & language, then Language & region.
- Click Add a language, search Persian, and install it.
- Click the three dots next to Persian, then Language options, then Add a keyboard.
- Pick Persian (Standard).
A language switcher appears in the taskbar. Press Windows + Space to flip between English and Persian.
Add Persian on Windows 10
The steps on Windows 10 are almost the same.
- Open Settings, then Time & Language, then Language.
- Click Add a preferred language, search Persian, and install it.
- Click Persian, then Options, then Add a keyboard.
- Choose Persian (Standard).
Use Windows + Space to switch layouts while you type.
Type Farsi Phonetically on Windows
The standard layout is unrelated to QWERTY, so it has a learning curve. Beginners often prefer a phonetic layout, where letters sit near their English sound.
Install the free Behdad Persian Keyboard from the Microsoft Store. Press s and you get س. Press m and you get م.
Add it the same way as the standard layout, then switch between them with Windows + Space. Move to the standard Persian keyboard later if you plan to work in Persian.
Common Farsi Typing Quirks on Windows
A few small things trip up new typists.
Zero width non joiner (ZWNJ). Persian breaks words like میروم into می and روم with an invisible joiner, not a space. In most Windows Persian layouts, press Shift + Space.
ی vs ي. Persian uses ی without dots below. Arabic uses ي. The Persian layout gives you the right letter, but swap it if you paste Arabic text.
ک vs ك. Same story. Persian uses ک.
Numbers. Persian numerals are ۰۱۲۳۴۵۶۷۸۹. Switch back to English for prices and forms.
Practice Your New Keyboard
Turning the keyboard on is easy. Using it without looking is the real skill.
Start with the letters. Learn the Persian alphabet first, then retype each one in a text file until your fingers learn the spots.
On other devices too? See our guides for the Persian keyboard on iPhone and Mac and the Persian keyboard on Android. Then keep it up with some free Farsi lessons every day.
Five minutes a day for two weeks, and typing Farsi will feel natural.