How to type in Chinese
Chinese uses thousands of characters (hanzi). The most common way to type them is through the phonetic Pinyin system.
🇨🇳 Pinyin — 中文
This is what hanzi (chinese characters) looks like . It requires a special input method editor (IME).
zhongwen
zhōngwén
中文
Add a Chinese keyboard on Android
Open keyboard settings
While typing, long-press the 🌐 (globe) icon or the spacebar on Gboard. Or go to:
Settings → System → Languages & input → On-screen keyboardOpen Gboard → Languages
Tap Gboard (or your active keyboard), then Languages.
Add language
Tap Add keyboard, search for 中文 (拼音). Tap Done. Choose Pinyin (Simplified or Traditional).
Switch keyboards
While typing, tap the 🌐 (globe) icon to switch between keyboards.
Add a Chinese keyboard on iPhone / iPad
Open Settings
Go to the Settings app on your home screen.
Settings → General → KeyboardGo to Keyboards
Tap Keyboards (you'll see a list of active keyboards at the top).
Add a new keyboard
Tap Add New Keyboard..., search for Chinese (Pinyin), and tap to add.
Switch keyboards
While typing, tap the 🌐 (globe) icon in the bottom-left corner to switch languages.
Add a Chinese keyboard on Windows
Open language settings
Press Win + I to open Settings, or search for Language settings in the Start menu.
Settings → Time & Language → Language & regionAdd a language
Click Add a language, search for 中文 (拼音), click Next, then Install.
Switch keyboards
Use Win + Space or click the language indicator in the taskbar to switch.
Add a Chinese keyboard on macOS
Open System Settings
Click the (Apple) menu in the top-left corner and choose System Settings.
→ System Settings → KeyboardAdd an input source
Go to Input Sources, click Edit... or +, search for 中文, and add it.
Show in menu bar
Make sure Show Input menu in menu bar is enabled.
Switch keyboards
Use Ctrl + Space or click the input source indicator in the menu bar.