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Type Arabic text in Premiere Pro

Each key of your keyboard types the letter of the official layout.

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Text for Photoshop and design software

Copy this converted text (joined letters, reversed order) and paste it into software that shows Arabic reversed or with separated letters.

Long-press a key for variants (e.g. ا‎ :‎ أ‎ إ‎ آ‎).

Phonetic mapping table
2 → ء
3 → ع
5 → خ
6 → ط
7 → ح
8 → غ
9 → ق
a → ا
A → أ
AA → آ
I → إ
b → ب
p → پ
t → ت
T → ط
th → ث
t' → ة
j → ج
dj → ج
H → ح
kh → خ
7' → خ
d → د
D → ض
9' → ض
dh → ذ
r → ر
z → ز
Z → ظ
s → س
S → ص
sh → ش
ch → ش
gh → غ
3' → غ
f → ف
v → ڤ
q → ق
k → ك
c → ك
g → ڭ
l → ل
m → م
n → ن
h → ه
w → و
o → و
u → و
ou → و
W → ؤ
O → ؤ
y → ي
i → ي
e → ي
é → ي
Y → ى
E → ئ
x → ش
' → ء
_a → ◌َ
_i → ◌ِ
_u → ◌ُ
_o → ◌ْ
_an → ◌ً
_in → ◌ٍ
_un → ◌ٌ
__ → ◌ّ
_ → ـ

Write the Arabic titles, lower thirds and credits for your edit here, then paste them into Premiere Pro. Recent versions take the normal text, while older title tools need the converted version with joined letters.

How to use

  1. Type your title in the text box, with the keyboard or in Phonetic mode.
  2. For a recent version of Premiere Pro, click Copy; for an older title tool, open Design software mode and click Copy converted text.
  3. In Premiere Pro, pick the Type tool and click on the image in the Program Monitor.
  4. Paste with Ctrl+V (Cmd+V on a Mac), then set the font, size and alignment in the text controls.
  5. Play the title full screen before exporting to check the joins and reading direction.

Arabic text in Premiere Pro: it depends on your version

Recent versions of Premiere Pro shape Arabic in titles made with the Type tool and the Essential Graphics panel: pasted normal text joins up and reads the right way. If your preferences offer a choice of text engine, select the Middle Eastern option. Older versions and the Legacy Titler cannot do this, and that is what Design software mode is for. It joins the letters using Unicode presentation forms and reverses the character order. The result is meant for display: Premiere Pro will show it correctly, but it is no longer ordinary Arabic text that can be searched, spell checked or reused in subtitles.

Burned-in titles versus subtitles

Keep a clear line between text that is part of the picture and text delivered separately.

  • A burned-in title (lower third, speaker name, credits) is part of the exported video. Converted text is fine there when your version splits letters, because viewers only see the rendered image.
  • A subtitle exported as a file is read by another device, which shapes the Arabic itself. It must stay real Arabic text.

Before delivery, watch each title at full size: a missing join is obvious full screen but easy to miss in the small monitor window. If a broadcaster or client wants the texts separately, for a dubbed version for example, send them the normal version. It stays readable in an email or a document, unlike converted text.

Saving time on a long edit

For a documentary or a video series, prepare all your texts in one go:

  • type them here one under the other and save them with Download (.txt);
  • convert them one at a time, as you paste them, if your version needs it;
  • watch the character and word counter to keep lower thirds short and readable;
  • tick Remove vowel marks for on-screen titles, where marks sometimes drift on converted text.

Words mode speeds things up if you do not know the Arabic layout: shukran followed by Space gives شكرا. For animated titles, see the Arabic keyboard for After Effects page as well.

Frequently asked questions

How do I add an Arabic title in Premiere Pro?
In a recent version, type the title on this page, copy it and paste it with the Premiere Pro Type tool: the letters join and the text reads from right to left. If your version or title tool splits the letters, paste the text converted by Design software mode.
Why does Premiere Pro separate Arabic letters?
Older versions, and especially the old Legacy Titler, cannot join Arabic letters. The title then shows isolated letters, often in the wrong order. Update Premiere Pro or use converted text.
Can I use converted Arabic text in SRT subtitles?
No. A subtitle file must contain real Arabic text, because YouTube, video players and TVs shape it themselves. Converted text would show up backwards there. Always copy the normal text for subtitles.
How do I fix a converted Arabic title in Premiere Pro?
Edit the original sentence on this page, convert it again and replace the whole content of the text layer. Editing inside Premiere Pro is awkward, because the letters are stored in reverse order. Keep a normal copy of every title for that reason.
Do I need a special font for Arabic in Premiere Pro?
You need a font that includes Arabic letters; for converted text it must also include the Unicode presentation forms. Tahoma, Arial and Noto Naskh Arabic work. A decorative Latin font will show boxes or fall back to another font.
A title template shows Arabic backwards in Premiere Pro. Why?
The template may have been built with a text setting that does not support Arabic. Paste the normal text first, then the converted version if the letters come apart. Results vary from one template to another, so test it on one clip before using it across the whole edit.

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Updated October 6, 2026