This Kannada typing test shows a real Kannada passage and scores how fast and accurately you type it. In Kannada it is a ಕನ್ನಡ ಟೈಪಿಂಗ್ ಟೆಸ್ಟ್, or, in the older typewriting word, a ಬೆರಳಚ್ಚು ಪರೀಕ್ಷೆ. It is free, with no sign-up and no download, and it runs in any browser on a computer, laptop or phone.
Nudi, Baraha or Inscript: which Kannada keyboard?
Kannada typists usually learn one of three keyboards:
- Nudi (KGP layout). The Karnataka government's standard software and keyboard, widely used in government offices and courts. Newer Nudi versions type Unicode; older ones used their own non-Unicode fonts.
- Baraha and phonetic tools. You type Kannada in English letters (
kannaDa→ ಕನ್ನಡ). Google Input Tools and phone keyboards work the same way. - Inscript. The Government of India standard built into Windows, Mac and Linux, with the same key positions for every Indian script.
This site offers built-in Inscript (Unicode) and your own keyboard. For a Kannada Nudi typing test, install Nudi in Unicode mode, choose "My own Kannada keyboard" in the Keyboard menu and type exactly as in the office. Old non-Unicode Nudi fonts store different characters and won't match the passage. If you are starting from zero, the built-in Inscript layout needs nothing installed and is quick to learn because Kannada letters follow a clear pattern on it.
The Kannada Inscript keyboard chart
Rest your left fingers on A S D F and your right fingers on J K L ;. On the Kannada home row, vowel signs are under the left hand and common consonants under the right:
| Key | A | S | D | F | G | H | J | K | L | ; | ' |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Normal | ೋ | ೇ | ್ | ಿ | ು | ಪ | ರ | ಕ | ತ | ಚ | ಟ |
| Shift | ಓ | ಏ | ಅ | ಇ | ಉ | ಫ | ಱ | ಖ | ಥ | ಛ | ಠ |
Kannada typing letters on the other rows follow the same idea, with Shift giving the full vowel or the aspirated consonant:
| Row | Normal | With Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Top (Q to [) | ೌ ೈ ಾ ೀ ೂ ಬ ಹ ಗ ದ ಜ ಡ | ಔ ಐ ಆ ಈ ಊ ಭ ಙ ಘ ಧ ಝ ಢ |
| Bottom (Z to /) | ೆ ಂ ಮ ನ ವ ಲ ಸ , . ಯ | ಎ ಁ ಣ – – ಳ ಶ ಷ । ಯ಼ |
Ottakshara, arkavottu and short vowels
- Ottakshara (subscript consonants) are made with the halant on D: ಕ ್ ಕ = ಕ್ಕ, ನ ್ ನ = ನ್ನ (as in ಕನ್ನಡ). Type the vowel sign after the full cluster.
- Arkavottu (the ರ್ sign above, as in ಕಾರ್ಯ) is Shift+4. Ra-ottu (್ರ, as in ಪ್ರ) is Shift+3.
- Common clusters in one key: Shift+7 ಕ್ಷ, Shift+5 ಜ್ಞ, Shift+6 ತ್ರ, Shift+8 ಶ್ರ.
- Short and long e/o: ೆ is Z and ೇ is S; ೊ is the key left of 1 and ೋ is A. Mixing them up is a very common Kannada typing mistake.
- ಳ is Shift+N, next to ಲ on N.
Learn the chart step by step in typing lessons by choosing "Kannada – Inscript" in the Course menu. Each lesson adds two keys.
How your Kannada typing speed is measured
Net WPM = (correct characters ÷ 5) ÷ minutes
Accuracy = correct keystrokes ÷ all keystrokes × 100
Every Unicode character counts: consonants, vowel signs and the halant, plus the space after a correct word. ಕನ್ನಡ is five characters (ಕ ನ ್ ನ ಡ). Raw WPM counts every keystroke that produced text, CPM is characters per minute, and consistency shows how even your pace was.
Worked example: in a 5 minute Kannada typing test you type 760 correct characters and 800 in total. Net speed = (760 ÷ 5) ÷ 5 = 30.4 WPM, so about 30 WPM. Accuracy = 760 ÷ 800 × 100 = 95%.
| Level | Kannada (WPM) |
|---|---|
| Beginner | about 5–15 |
| Office and court typist level | about 25–35 |
| Good | about 35–45 |
| Fast | 45+ |
How hard is it to type 30 words per minute? In English, 30 WPM is below the adult average of about 40 and reachable in a few weeks. In Kannada it takes longer, because each word has more keystrokes for vowel signs and ottaksharas. With 20–30 minutes of daily practice, most learners reach 30 WPM in Kannada within two to three months.
Kannada typing tests for court and government jobs
Typist, stenographer and clerk posts in Karnataka, including the High Court of Karnataka, district courts and many state departments, often include a Kannada and English typing skill test on a computer. Many posts also accept or require state typewriting certificates in Kannada and English. A court Kannada typing test typically uses a legal or official passage with long, formal words, so accuracy on ottaksharas matters a lot.
Speed, duration, keyboard (often Nudi in offices), marking and Backspace rules vary between notifications. Always check the official notification for your recruitment.
For court Kannada typing test practice, use Paragraph mode with the 10 minute timer, and rehearse strict exam-style marking with the court typing test or the government exam typing test. If the post also needs English, add the English typing test to each session.
How to learn Kannada typing on a computer
- Kannada typing for beginners starts on the home row. Learn ೋ ೇ ್ ಿ ು with the left hand and ಪ ರ ಕ ತ ಚ ಟ with the right. Stay on the first lessons until you don't look down.
- Add the top row (ಾ ೀ ೂ and ಬ ಹ ಗ ದ ಜ ಡ), then ottaksharas.
- Take a 1 minute test each day and click "Practise weak keys" to open typing practice with Kannada words built from your slowest letters.
- Twice a week, take a Kannada typing test paragraph of 5 minutes or 10 minutes to build the stamina court and office tests need.
- Keep accuracy at 95% or more. Fast typing with many wrong words fails most skill tests.
A Kannada typing class near you can help with exam routine; this free test is a quick way to measure progress between classes. The typing games also work in Kannada.
How to type Kannada in Word, WhatsApp or on a phone
- On this page: nothing to install. Keep Inscript selected.
- Kannada typing for Windows PC and laptop: add Kannada in Settings → Time & language → Language & region and choose the Kannada Inscript or phonetic keyboard, or install Nudi. Switch with Windows+Space. Then your Kannada typing works in MS Word, WhatsApp Desktop and other programs.
- Kannada typing for Mac: System Settings → Keyboard → Input Sources → add Kannada.
- Mobile and iPhone: add Kannada in Gboard or in iPhone keyboard settings. The test switches to your phone keyboard automatically on touch screens.
Any Unicode Kannada font, such as Tunga (on Windows) or Noto Sans Kannada, shows the same text. Your results are saved on My progress, and you can download a free typing certificate for a Kannada result. It records your own score and is not a government typewriting certificate.