📖 Tamil Alphabet Pronunciation – Complete Guide (247 Letters)

Published: April 8, 2026 | Updated: April 22, 2026

Tamil is a classical language with a unique script. Learning the Tamil alphabet is the first step to reading and writing Tamil. The complete set has 247 letters – 12 vowels (Uyir), 18 consonants (Mei), and 216 Uyir Mei (compound letters) plus one special character (Āytham).

🔊 Tamil Vowels (Uyir Ezhuthukkal – 12)

அa (as in "up")

ஆaa (as in "father")

இi (as in "ink")

ஈee (as in "eel")

உu (as in "put")

ஊoo (as in "boot")

எe (as in "get")

ஏay (as in "pay")

ஐai (as in "aisle")

ஒo (as in "hot")

ஓow (as in "go")

ஔau (as in "out")

🔊 Tamil Consonants (Mei Ezhuthukkal – 18)

க்k

ங்ng

ச்ch

ஞ்nj

ட்t (retroflex)

ண்n (retroflex)

த்th (dental)

ந்n (dental)

ப்p

ம்m

ய்y

ர்r (tap)

ல்l

வ்v

ழ்zh (retroflex approximant)

ள்l (retroflex)

ற்r (trill)

ன்n (alveolar)

📚 Uyir Mei (Compound Letters – 216)

Uyir Mei letters are formed by combining a consonant with a vowel. For example, க் + அ = க, க் + ஆ = கா, and so on. Our interactive tool shows every combination with audio and balloon pop fun.

🎧 Listen to all 247 Tamil letters with native pronunciation! Tap any letter on our interactive platform → balloon pop + clear audio.

🔊 Hear Tamil Alphabet with Audio →

💡 Tips for Learning Tamil Alphabet

Start with vowels (Uyir) – only 12 letters. Master them first.
Then learn consonants (Mei) – 18 letters. Practice writing them.
Finally, combine – use our spin wheel game to randomly test Uyir Mei letters.
Daily quiz – our quiz mode asks 5 random Tamil letter questions each round.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

How many letters are in the Tamil alphabet?

Total 247 letters: 12 vowels (Uyir), 18 consonants (Mei), and 216 compound letters (Uyir Mei), plus one special character (Āytham).

Is Tamil alphabet easy to learn for kids?

Yes! With our interactive balloon pop game and audio, children learn faster. Start with vowels and use repetition.