Persian Numbers 0-9: The Digits ۰۱۲۳ and Their Names
Persian writes its own digits: ۰۱۲۳۴۵۶۷۸۹. What each glyph means, what it is called, why numbers run left to right inside right-to-left text, and how Persian digits differ from Arabic ones.
The Ten Persian Digits
Persian writes numbers with its own set of ten digits: ۰۱۲۳۴۵۶۷۸۹. They map one-to-one onto 0123456789, so once you know the ten shapes you can read any number in Farsi.
| Digit | Value | Name | Sounds like |
|---|---|---|---|
| ۰ | 0 | صفر | sefr |
| ۱ | 1 | یک | yek |
| ۲ | 2 | دو | do |
| ۳ | 3 | سه | se |
| ۴ | 4 | چهار | chahar |
| ۵ | 5 | پنج | panj |
| ۶ | 6 | شش | shesh |
| ۷ | 7 | هفت | haft |
| ۸ | 8 | هشت | hasht |
| ۹ | 9 | نه | noh |
That is the whole set. There is no eleventh shape to learn — 10 is written ۱۰, exactly as you would expect.
The digits turn up everywhere in Iran — prices, phone numbers, licence plates, dates — so reading them is the first practical step. Learning to count in words is a separate job, covered in Farsi numbers 1 to 100. We cover both, so you can read and speak with confidence.
The Persian Numbers Table
Here are the Persian numbers from 0 to 10. Read the Farsi column right to left, but read single digits as shown.
| Number | Farsi (script) | Transliteration | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| ۰ | صفر | sefr | zero |
| ۱ | یک | yek | one |
| ۲ | دو | do | two |
| ۳ | سه | se | three |
| ۴ | چهار | chahar | four |
| ۵ | پنج | panj | five |
| ۶ | شش | shesh | six |
| ۷ | هفت | haft | seven |
| ۸ | هشت | hasht | eight |
| ۹ | نه | noh | nine |
| ۱۰ | ده | dah | ten |
Keep this table close while you practice. Saying each number out loud helps it stick.
Numbers Run Left to Right
Persian text reads right to left. Numbers do not.
The year ۱۴۰۴ is written with ۱ first and ۴ last, in the same order you would read 1404 in English. So in a Persian sentence the text flows right to left, then pauses, runs a number left to right, and resumes. It looks wrong until you have seen it a few times.
This matters when you type: entering a number into a Persian text field will feel backwards if you expect the digits to follow the text direction. They do not.
Persian Digits Are Not Arabic Digits
Persian and Arabic share most of their digit shapes, but not all of them. Three differ:
| Value | Persian | Arabic |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | ۴ | ٤ |
| 5 | ۵ | ٥ |
| 6 | ۶ | ٦ |
It is the same trap as ی versus ي in the alphabet: the characters look related, sit at different code points, and mixing them means text does not match in a search even though it looks correct on screen.
If you are setting up a keyboard, choose the Persian layout rather than the Arabic one and the right digits come with it. See the guides for Android and Windows.
Where You Will Actually See Them
Persian digits are not decorative — they are what Iran uses day to day:
- Banknotes and coins, where the value appears in Persian digits
- Licence plates, entirely in Persian digits
- Prices in shops and on menus
- Dates, which also follow the Iranian solar calendar rather than the Gregorian one
- Phone numbers and addresses
Iranian websites are the exception: many use Western digits, or mix both on the same page. Being able to read either is the practical goal.
A couple of shapes catch English readers out. ۵ (5) resembles a Western 0, and ۶ (6) can look like a 7 depending on the font. Those two are worth drilling until they are automatic.
How to Pronounce Each Number
Pronunciation in Persian is friendly and consistent. Here is a quick guide:
- sefr (۰), like "sef-r"
- yek (۱), rhymes with "deck"
- do (۲), like "doe"
- se (۳), like "seh"
- chahar (۴), "cha-har"
- panj (۵), "punj"
- shesh (۶), "shesh"
- haft (۷), "hahft"
- hasht (۸), "hahsht"
- noh (۹), "noh"
- dah (۱۰), "dah"
Say them in order a few times. The rhythm makes them easy to remember.
Why Learning Numbers Helps
Numbers unlock real life Farsi fast. You can shop, ask prices, tell time, and share your phone number.
They also build confidence. Small wins like counting to ten keep you motivated to learn more.
To read these digits well, first get comfortable with the script in our Farsi alphabet guide. The two skills support each other.
Practice Persian Numbers for Free
The best way to learn is to practice a little every day. Spaced repetition helps the numbers move into long-term memory.
Start with 0 to 10, then build to 20 and beyond. Mix reading the glyphs with saying the words.
Ready to begin? Open the free lessons on Learn Farsi and start counting in Persian today.