If you're learning Korean, sooner or later you'll want to type it — to message a language partner, search in Korean, or practice writing sentences. The catch is that every device ships set up for English (or your native language), so you have to add a Hangul keyboard yourself. The good news: it takes a couple of minutes per device, and after that you just tap one key to switch between English and Korean. This guide walks through the exact setup on Windows, Mac, iPhone, and Android, then explains the mobile layouts so you can pick the right one. If you can already form letters and want to practice composing, pair this with our Korean writing practice routine.
Windows: add the Korean keyboard
On Windows, open Settings → Time & Language → Language & region. Click 'Add a language', search for and select Korean (한국어), and install it. Then click the new Korean entry → Language options and confirm the 'Microsoft IME' keyboard (the standard 2-Set / 두벌식 layout) is added. To type Korean, switch input with the right Alt key — labeled 한/영 on Korean keyboards — or click the language indicator (KOR/ENG) in the taskbar. The right Alt key toggles between Hangul and English input within the Korean IME.
Mac: add Korean (2-Set)
On macOS, open System Settings → Keyboard, find 'Text Input', and click Edit next to Input Sources. Press the + button at the bottom, choose Korean in the list, and add the '2-Set Korean' layout (this is 두벌식, the standard). Click Done. Now switch input sources with Control+Space (or the Globe/🌐 key on newer keyboards), or pick Korean from the input menu in the menu bar. The 2-Set layout matches the standard Windows layout, so the key positions are the same across both.
iPhone / iPad: add a Korean keyboard
On iOS, go to Settings → General → Keyboard → Keyboards → Add New Keyboard, then tap Korean. iOS lets you choose a layout here — pick '2-Set (QWERTY)' if you want the same layout as a computer, or '10 Key (천지인)' for the compact mobile system. Once added, tap the globe (🌐) key on the keyboard to cycle to Hangul. You can long-press the globe key to jump straight to a specific keyboard.
Android: add Korean to Gboard or Samsung Keyboard
On Gboard, open its settings → Languages → Add keyboard → search Korean → choose a layout (QWERTY for the computer-style 두벌식, or 3x4 for 천지인). On Samsung Keyboard, go to Settings → General management → Keyboard list and default → your keyboard → Languages and types → Manage input languages, and enable Korean. After adding it, tap the globe/language key on the keyboard to switch to Hangul.
Mobile Hangul layouts, explained
Phones offer several Korean layouts, and the choice matters more on a small screen than on a full keyboard. Here's what each one is and who it suits.
- 두벌식 / QWERTY (2-Set): the standard layout, same as a computer — consonants on the left, vowels on the right. Best for beginners and anyone who also types Korean on a PC, since you only learn one layout.
- 천지인 (Cheonjiin): a compact 3-key vowel system that builds every vowel from just ㅣ, ㆍ, and ㅡ (e.g. ㆍ + ㅣ makes ㅏ). Very popular with native speakers for fast one-handed thumb typing, but the vowel combinations take getting used to.
- 나랏글 (Naratgeul): another compact layout that uses a 'add a stroke' key to derive related consonants (e.g. ㄱ → ㅋ → ㄲ). Efficient once learned, common on some Korean phones.
- 단모음 / single-vowel: a simplified layout that lays vowels out individually rather than combining them — easier to find each vowel, at the cost of more keys.
Our recommendation: start with 두벌식 (QWERTY) everywhere. Using the same layout on your phone and computer means you build one muscle memory instead of two, and it's the most documented layout for learners. Once you're comfortable, you can experiment with 천지인 if you want faster one-handed typing.
Try typing a few phrases
With your keyboard set up, type a few short phrases to get the feel of switching between languages and finding the keys. On 두벌식, you'll notice consonants cluster on the left and vowels on the right — type them in the order you'd say them.
- 안녕하세요annyeonghaseyo
Hello
A great first thing to type — high-frequency and uses common keys.
- 한국어 연습hangugeo yeonseup
Korean practice
Note the space: tap the spacebar between words just like in English.
- 잘 부탁해요jal butakhaeyo
Please treat me well / I look forward to it
A natural thing to type at the start of a chat.
The best way to practice: just start typing
Setting up the keyboard is the easy part — getting fast comes from using it. The quickest way to build typing speed is to type Korean in a real conversation, because you're producing your own sentences instead of copying drills. Our AI character chat is a perfect, low-pressure place to do that: type your Hangul straight into the chat, get a natural reply, and type back, building both your typing speed and your composition at once. To keep a steady supply of words to type with, run a few minutes of vocabulary review on our deck each day. Type those words into your next chat and they stick twice as fast.
Put your new Korean keyboard to use
Now that you can type Hangul, practice it in a real conversation — type your sentences into AI character chat and get natural Korean replies back.
Start typing in AI chat →