Kana Keyboard Online
Kana is the collective name for Hiragana and Katakana. Use this workspace when you need to move between both scripts without confusing their roles: choose the output mode, type Romaji, or enter a character directly.
Hiragana character keys
HiraganaWhat does Kana mean?
Kana refers to Japan's two phonetic scripts: Hiragana and Katakana. Corresponding characters represent the same basic sounds—か and カ both represent ka—but their shapes and typical uses differ. Kanji and Romaji are not Kana.
Choose the script by purpose
| System | What it represents | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Hiragana | Japanese morae | Grammar, particles, readings, native words |
| Katakana | The same core morae | Loanwords, names, sound effects, emphasis |
| Romaji | Japanese sounds in Latin letters | Input method and learner aid |
| Kanji | Meaning-bearing characters | Lexical roots, names, content words |
Kana input and Romaji input
Direct Kana input selects a Kana character from a dedicated key position. Romaji input spells the reading with Latin letters and converts it. Both methods can produce correct Japanese; the better choice depends on the keyboard, familiarity, and task.
Frequently asked questions
Are Hiragana and Katakana interchangeable?
They encode corresponding sounds, but normal Japanese uses them for different functions. Replacing one with the other can change tone or make text look unnatural.
Does Kana include Kanji?
No. Kana means Hiragana and Katakana. Kanji is a separate character system, even though all three appear together in Japanese text.