Baybayin Chart: All 17 Characters with Kudlit
Updated: Oct 5
A Baybayin chart is the fastest way to learn the script. Once you know the 17 base characters and two small marks, you can write almost any Tagalog word.
The 3 vowels
ᜀ a
ᜁ e / i
ᜂ o / u
Vowels are written as their own character only at the start of a syllable, as in the first sound of araw (sun) or ilog (river).
The 14 consonants
ᜃ ka, ᜄ ga, ᜅ nga
ᜆ ta, ᜇ da / ra, ᜈ na
ᜉ pa, ᜊ ba, ᜋ ma
ᜌ ya, ᜎ la, ᜏ wa
ᜐ sa, ᜑ ha
Each consonant reads with an "a" sound by default. ᜋ is ma, not m.
Changing the vowel with the kudlit
The kudlit is a small dot or mark:
Above the character: e or i. ᜃ ka becomes ᜃᜒ ki/ke.
Below the character: o or u. ᜃ ka becomes ᜃᜓ ku/ko.
Ending a word on a consonant
Traditionally, final consonants were simply left out, and readers filled them in from context. Modern writers add the virama (also called the krus-kudlit), a cross or slash below the character that removes the vowel. ᜈ na becomes ᜈ᜔ n. Learn more in our virama guide.
Practice the chart
Trace every character on the Practice Writing page.
Check your spelling with the Baybayin Translator.
Our original Baybayin Chart post has a printable version.
Want the chart on your wall? See our Baybayin poster guide, and browse Baybayin designs at Learn Baybayin.
Learn it live, then wear it
The fastest way to really learn Baybayin is with a teacher and a group. In the Baybayin Workshop you will learn all 17 characters, the kudlit and the virama, and leave able to write your own name and the names of your family.
Baybayin Character Hoodie: all the characters on one hoodie
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