Start here: learning Korean step by step
Seven steps in the order that makes each one easier than the last. Each step has the tools to practice with and the guides to read. You don't need to finish a step perfectly before moving on; come back to it as you go.
1 Learn to read Hangul
Everything else gets easier once you can read the alphabet, and it is small: 14 basic consonants and 10 basic vowels, written in syllable blocks. Most learners can read slowly after a focused weekend. Skip romanization as early as you can, because it hides sounds that the Hangul shows.
2 Get the sounds right
Korean has vowels and consonant contrasts that English doesn't, and words often sound different from how they are spelled. Learning a handful of rules early saves you from habits that are hard to unlearn.
3 Type in Korean
Typing lets you search, message and look words up in Korean. The standard keyboard puts consonants on the left and vowels on the right, and it takes a few short sessions to stop hunting for keys.
4 Learn both number systems
Korean uses native numbers for counting and age, and Sino-Korean numbers for money, dates and phone numbers. You need both for almost any real conversation, from ordering coffee to telling the time.
5 Build first words and talk to people
Korean changes with who you are talking to, so politeness and titles matter from day one. Learn polite -요 speech first, a core set of everyday words, and how the two most common particles work.
6 Write names in Korean
Writing your own name is a satisfying first real use of Hangul, and Korean names follow patterns that are worth knowing before you meet people.
7 Keep going with things you enjoy
Regular practice with material you like beats long, rare study sessions. Songs and fan culture are a good way to keep reading Hangul every day.
How to use this page
Short daily practice works better than one long session a week. A realistic routine is 15 to 20 minutes a day: a few minutes on the current step's tool, one guide, and a few minutes of review from an earlier step.
Korean Toolbox covers the first stretch of learning: reading, sounds, numbers, names and the basics of talking politely. For grammar beyond that, pair it with a textbook or a class. The audio on this site is an AI-generated Korean voice, so check your pronunciation against real Korean speech too, such as dramas, podcasts or a tutor.