TamilFeed learning guide
Tamil Alphabet: Chart of Tamil Letters தமிழ் எழுத்து அட்டவணை
The traditional Tamil script chart is often presented as 247 letters: 12 independent vowels, 18 consonants, 216 vowel-consonant combinations, and the special character ஃ (aytham). The chart below shows each Tamil form with a Roman transliteration and a short English guide. Transliteration is a reading aid; English spellings cannot capture every Tamil sound exactly.
தமிழ் எழுத்து அட்டவணையில் பொதுவாக 247 எழுத்துகள் உள்ளன: 12 உயிரெழுத்துகள், 18 மெய்யெழுத்துகள், 216 உயிர்மெய் எழுத்துகள், மேலும் ஆய்த எழுத்து ஃ. ஒவ்வொரு எழுத்தையும் தமிழிலும் ஆங்கில ஒலிபெயர்ப்பிலும் காணலாம்.
Use the vowels and consonants to understand the pattern behind the 216 combined uyirmei letters. Select a lesson for more detailed pronunciation and examples.
- 12 உயிரெழுத்துகள் (uyir, vowels) are independent vowel letters.
- 18 மெய்யெழுத்துகள் (mei, consonants) are shown with a pulli mark when written alone.
- 216 உயிர்மெய் எழுத்துகள் (uyirmei) combine one consonant with one vowel; ஃ is the special aytham character.
Independent vowels உயிரெழுத்துகள் (Uyir Ezhuthukkal)
12 vowel letters. The first six are commonly introduced as short and long pairs.
Consonants மெய்யெழுத்துகள் (Mei Ezhuthukkal)
18 consonant letters shown with the pulli (்) mark in their stand-alone form.
Combined letters உயிர்மெய் எழுத்துகள் (Uyirmei Ezhuthukkal)
216 combinations formed by joining each consonant with each of the 12 vowels.
Special character ஆய்த எழுத்து (Aytha Ezhuthu)
One special character counted with the traditional 247-letter set.
Roman transliterations are included as learning aids. Tamil pronunciation can vary by context, and English sound comparisons are approximate. For the combined-letter count and classifications, see the Tamil Virtual Academy lesson on Tamil letters.