2-Beolsik
What Is Korean Keyboard Layout?
A keyboard layout is the map of which character each key makes. The Korean layout puts Hangul letters (jamo) on the same 26 letter keys that an English keyboard uses. You do not buy a different keyboard. The English letters printed on the keys stay, but they only tell you the position. The key marked K types the vowel ㅏ, and the key marked S types the consonant ㄴ.
The standard is 2-beolsik. The word means "two sets": one set for consonants and one for vowels. It is the layout on Korean computers and phones, and it is the one used by the typing guides across this site. If you have not added a Korean keyboard yet, do that first with Korean keyboard install.
Here is the quickest proof that the layout is simple. The word 한글 (hangeul, "Hangul") takes six keys: G, K, S, R, M, F.
Where to Start with Korean Keyboard Layout
| If you are... | Start with | Why |
|---|---|---|
| New to the layout | 2-beolsik keyboard layout | The full key map and the first words |
| Looking for ㄲ ㅃ or ㅒ | Type double consonants | Shift letters and compound vowels |
| Unable to type 읽 or 값 | Type final consonants | Final consonants and double finals |
| Switching languages slowly | Korean keyboard shortcuts | Switch keys and the Hanja key |
| Wondering about other layouts | Sebeolsik or cheonjiin | Short comparisons |
How Is the Standard Layout Arranged?
The 2-beolsik layout uses three rows. Consonants are on the left half, and vowels are on the right half. The two hands take turns across a syllable, because a block usually starts with a consonant and then has a vowel.
| Row | Keys and letters |
|---|---|
| Top | Q ㅂ, W ㅈ, E ㄷ, R ㄱ, T ㅅ, Y ㅛ, U ㅕ, I ㅑ, O ㅐ, P ㅔ |
| Home | A ㅁ, S ㄴ, D ㅇ, F ㄹ, G ㅎ, H ㅗ, J ㅓ, K ㅏ, L ㅣ |
| Bottom | Z ㅋ, X ㅌ, C ㅊ, V ㅍ, B ㅠ, N ㅜ, M ㅡ |
The lesson 2-beolsik keyboard layout explains this table in detail, with keystrokes for 한글, 한국어 and 사랑, a finger map for the home row, and ten practice words. It also lists the four mistakes that beginners make most often, such as pressing K for ㅋ.
Words to Try, with Keystrokes
Use these words to test the map. The keystrokes are for a computer keyboard, with a comma between syllable blocks.
| Word | Meaning | Keystrokes (computer layout) |
|---|---|---|
| 나무 (namu) | tree | S K, A N |
| 물 (mul) | water | A N F |
| 학교 (hakgyo) | school | G K R, R Y |
| 아빠 (appa) | dad | D K, Shift+Q K |
| 한국어 (hangugeo) | the Korean language | G K S, R N R, D J |
Words with Shift letters, such as 아빠, show how the doubled consonants fit into ordinary typing. 한국어 shows block assembly: the same R key gives the ㄱ at the start and at the end of 국, and D gives the silent ㅇ that starts 어.
Why the Layout Never Changes
The 2-beolsik map is fixed by the Korean national standard KS X 5002, so the same key gives the same letter on every Korean computer: ㅎ is always on G and ㅏ is always on K. The QWERTY Korean keyboards on phones copy the same map. The time you spend learning it pays off on any machine you use, and the next section covers the letters that need more than one plain key press.
How Do I Type Special Letters?
Special letters are the ones that are not a single plain key press.
- Tense consonants (ㄲ ㄸ ㅃ ㅆ ㅉ) use Shift together with the plain consonant key. Shift plus R gives ㄲ.
- ㅒ and ㅖ are Shift plus O and Shift plus P.
- Compound vowels such as ㅘ and ㅝ take two vowel keys in a row. H then K gives ㅘ.
- Double final consonants such as ㄳ or ㄺ take two consonant keys in a row, after a vowel.
The lessons type double consonants and type Korean final consonants practise each group in real words, such as 아빠 (appa, "dad") and 읽다 (ikda, "to read").
How Do I Switch and Practise?
You switch between English and Korean with a shortcut that depends on your system, such as Win+Space on Windows or Control+Space on a Mac. The Korean keyboard shortcuts page lists the usual ones and names the Hanja key and the Han/Eng key.
For drilling, use the korean typing practice tool, which highlights the next key on a layout diagram, and the printable Korean keyboard layout sheet to keep beside your keyboard.
What Are the Alternatives?
Three short pages explain the alternatives to the standard layout and the software behind it.
- Sebeolsik keyboard: a three-set layout with separate keys for final consonants. It is rare.
- Cheonjiin keyboard: a 12-key layout, common on some phones, that builds vowels from three elements.
- Korean IME: the input method editor that assembles letters into blocks.
These pages are at a higher level (B1) because they explain the system behind the keys. You do not need them to type well.
Comparing the Korean Keyboard Layout Lessons
| Lesson | What it fixes | Level | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2-beolsik keyboard layout | Finding every letter on the keys | A0 | Example words |
| Type double consonants | Typing ㄲ ㅃ ㅒ and compound vowels | A0 | Example words |
| Type final consonants | Typing 읽다, 값, 앉다 and 닭 | A1 | Example words |
| Korean keyboard shortcuts | Switching languages quickly | A0 | None needed |
| Sebeolsik, cheonjiin, IME | Understanding alternatives and the software | B1 | Few |
How Do You Practise Korean Keyboard Layout?
A good routine has three short parts.
- Home row. Type 아, 이, 나, 라 until the keys feel natural.
- Words. Type five words a day from the 2-beolsik keyboard layout list.
- Sentences. Move to the korean typing practice tool once words are easy.
Study Order at a Glance
- 2-beolsik keyboard layout
- Type double consonants
- Type Korean final consonants
- Korean keyboard shortcuts
- The alternatives, if you are curious.
Audio, Review Status and Scope
Each page shows the review status of its written Korean and does not claim a review until it has happened. This section covers layouts and typing only. Setup for each device is in Korean keyboard install.
Related Sections
- How to type in Korean: the overview of the whole topic.
- Korean keyboard install: add Korean on your device.
- Korean consonants and Korean vowels: the letters themselves.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Korean keyboard layout work?
The 2-beolsik layout puts 14 consonants on the left half of a QWERTY keyboard and 12 vowel keys on the right half. You type each syllable in writing order, and the input method joins the letters into a block. For example G, K, S gives 한.
Where are Korean double consonants on the keyboard?
They are on the same keys as the plain consonants, with Shift held down. Shift plus R gives ㄲ, Shift plus Q gives ㅃ, Shift plus W gives ㅉ, Shift plus E gives ㄸ, and Shift plus T gives ㅆ.
Do I need to memorise the layout?
Yes, eventually, but not all at once. Learn the nine home-row keys first, add the other rows in small groups, and practise on real words. Most learners know the map well after repeated short sessions, and a printed sheet helps in the meantime.
What is sebeolsik?
Sebeolsik (세벌식, 'three-set') is a rarer layout with a separate set of keys for final consonants. It is not the standard. Most Korean devices use 2-beolsik, so beginners should learn that first. A short page on this site compares the two.