Pinyin Tone Converter
Type pinyin with tone numbers (ni3 hao3) and get correctly placed tone marks (nǐ hǎo), or go the other way. It runs in your browser as you type, with no uploads.
How to use the Pinyin Tone Converter
- Choose a mode: Numbers → Tone marks, Tone marks → Numbers, or Remove tones.
- Type or paste pinyin in the left box. Put the tone number after each syllable, e.g. zhong1 guo2 or zhong1guo2.
- Write ü as v or u: if your keyboard has no ü: lv4 and lu:4 both become lǜ.
- Read the result on the right. It updates as you type; use the options to pick how ü is written.
- Press Copy result to paste it into a document, flashcard app or message.
Pinyin tone mark rules
Mandarin has four tones plus a light neutral tone. In pinyin each tone is shown with a mark over one vowel of the syllable. When a syllable has more than one vowel, the mark follows three simple rules, which this converter applies automatically:
- a or e takes the mark whenever the syllable contains one: hǎo, kuài, xiè, wēi.
- In ou, the o takes the mark: dōu, zhōu, ròu.
- Otherwise the last vowel takes the mark: liú, guì, duō, xué, nǚ.
| Tone | Number | Mark | Example | Pitch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First | 1 | macron ¯ | mā (mother) | High and level |
| Second | 2 | acute ´ | má (hemp) | Rising |
| Third | 3 | caron ˇ | mǎ (horse) | Low, dipping |
| Fourth | 4 | grave ` | mà (to scold) | Sharply falling |
| Neutral | 5 or 0 | none | ma (question particle) | Short and light |
Typing ü and other tips
Most keyboards have no ü key, so learners write v or u: instead: lv4 → lǜ, nu:3 → nǚ. Standard pinyin only needs the dots after n and l; after j, q, x and y the letter is always ü in sound but is written u (ju, qu, xu, yu). Use an apostrophe to separate syllables that could be read two ways, for example Xi1'an1 → Xī'ān (the city) versus xian1 → xiān.
When converting marks back to numbers the tool splits each word into valid syllables, choosing the fewest syllables when a word could be split more than one way. Add an apostrophe if you want a different split.
Where tone numbers are used
- Dictionaries and flashcards such as CC-CEDICT data use numbered pinyin (zhong1 guo2), which is easy to search and sort.
- Textbooks and printed material use tone marks because they are easier to read.
- Typing on a phone or PC is faster with numbers; convert them to marks here before you paste into a document or slide.
Need other text helpers? Try the case converter or the word counter.
Frequently asked questions
Where does the tone mark go in pinyin?
The mark goes on a or e if the syllable has one (hǎo, xiě). In ou the mark goes on o (dōu). Otherwise it goes on the last vowel, so it is liú and guì, not líu or gùi.
How do I type ü in pinyin?
Type v or u: instead, for example lv4 or lu:4 for lǜ and nv3 for nǚ. After j, q, x and y the dots are left out in standard pinyin (ju, qu, xue, yu), so you only need ü after n and l.
What number is the neutral tone?
The neutral (light) tone is usually written as 5, sometimes 0, or with no number at all. This tool leaves neutral syllables without a mark, so xie4xie5 becomes xièxie.
Can it convert tone marks back to numbers?
Yes. Choose Tone marks → Numbers. The tool splits words such as Zhōngguó into syllables and adds the number after each one: Zhong1guo2. Tick Mark neutral tone with 5 if you want unmarked syllables to get a 5.
Why were some words not converted?
With Only convert valid pinyin syllables ticked, items like abc3 or room 101 are left alone because they are not real pinyin. Untick the option to put a mark on any letters followed by 1–4.
Does it change tone 3 sandhi?
No. The tool writes the dictionary tones you type. Tone changes in speech, such as 3 + 3 becoming 2 + 3 (nǐ hǎo is said ní hǎo), are not written in standard pinyin.