English to Katakana Converter
Enter an English word or name and get a phonetic Katakana approximation instantly, with a curated spelling for many common personal names.
This is phonetic transliteration, not English-to-Japanese translation. English spelling can represent several pronunciations, so check important names and brand terms with a native speaker.
English sounds do not map one-to-one
Japanese syllables usually end in a vowel, so consonant clusters are adapted. The English L and R sounds also map to the Japanese R row, while some final consonants receive an added vowel. The result represents pronunciation, not spelling letter by letter.
Names, words, and translation
A name such as Sarah is conventionally written サラ. A word such as camera is written カメラ. But a normal English word may have a Japanese translation rather than a Katakana loanword, so use this tool only when you want a phonetic form.
Check the pronunciation
If an English spelling has more than one pronunciation, adjust the result using the Katakana keyboard. For legal documents and personal names, follow the spelling preferred by the person or issuing authority.