Why this page has a format list
Most converters on this site do one job: one legacy font, one direction. This page is the exception. It takes Unicode Tamil and lets you pick the legacy format you need from a list of 35, which is handy when you are not sure which one a printer, publisher or colleague uses, or when you simply need to produce the same text in several formats. The words never change. Only the way the characters are stored does.
What is in the list
The selector covers Anankuhelv, Anjal, Bamini, Boomi, Chenet, Dcitmlismail, Diamond, Dinak, Dinakaran, Dinamani, Indoweb, Inscript, Jeeva, Ka, Kruti, Libi, Lttam, Lttm, Mcl, Murasoli, Mylai, Nakkeeran, Oldvikatan, Sathayam, Shreelipi, Stmzh, Stmzhp, Suntommy, Tab, Tac, Tam, Thanthy, Tscii, Vanavil and Webulagam. Several of these are named after publications or font families, and some are close relatives of each other. If a format has its own page on this site, the dedicated page may have extra notes about it.
How the formats differ in practice
It helps to see the difference rather than just read about it. Here is the word தமிழ் as this converter produces it in a handful of formats:
| Format | Stored text | Characters |
|---|---|---|
| Bamini | jkpo; | 5 |
| Diamond | jkpH; | 5 |
| Chenet | RÁr | 3 |
| Jeeva | Rªr | 3 |
| LT-TM | jĜ | 3 |
| Vanavil | jäœ | 3 |
| Shree Lipi | uªÌ | 3 |
| TAB | îñ¤ö¢ | 5 |
| TAM | îI› | 3 |
Using the converter
Paste your Unicode Tamil into the left box, choose the format from the list, and press Convert text. The result appears on the right. Copy it into the program that needs it, or download a plain .txt file. If you need the same text in two formats, simply change the selection and convert again. The word and character counters under each box make it easy to see that nothing was lost.
Choosing the right format
If you know the font name, pick the matching entry. If you only know the publication or the printer, ask which font they set Tamil in. When nobody can tell you, convert a short line into the likely formats and paste each into the destination with the corresponding font applied. The one that reads as proper Tamil is the one to use. Resist guessing for a whole document, because a near match can look right for common words and quietly swap a few letters.
Checking the output
Do not judge legacy output in a plain text editor, where it will look like unrelated letters and symbols. Test it where it will be used, with the right font applied. Pay attention to pure consonants with the pulli, long vowels, joined letters and any numerals or symbols. A few formats store Tamil in private-use characters, so they may show empty boxes anywhere the matching font is missing. That is normal for those formats.
Keep a Unicode master
Legacy text is a delivery copy, not a good place to keep your writing. Edit, search and share the Unicode version, and generate a fresh legacy copy whenever somebody asks for one. If you need to go the other way, the converters named after a specific font, such as Bamini to Unicode or TAM to Unicode, turn legacy text back into Unicode. To write new Tamil from an English keyboard, try English to Tamil typing, or browse all Tamil font converters.
Unicode to Non-Unicode Tamil: common questions
How many legacy formats can I convert to here?
The list has 35 formats, from Anankuhelv and Anjal through Bamini, Diamond, Jeeva, Shreelipi, Tab, Tam and Tscii to Vanavil and Webulagam. Pick the one your destination expects.
I do not know which format I need. What should I do?
Ask the person or printer who needs the file which Tamil font they use. If that is not possible, convert a short line into a few likely formats and test each in the destination with the matching font. The correct one will read as proper Tamil.
Why do two formats give different text for the same word?
Each legacy format assigns its own characters to Tamil letters. For தமிழ், Bamini stores jkpo; while Diamond stores jkpH; and TAM stores îI›. None is wrong, they are simply different systems.
Does the page upload my text?
No. The conversion runs in your browser, so the text you paste is handled on your own device. Avoid pasting confidential material on a shared computer all the same.
Why does the result look like gibberish?
Legacy output only looks like Tamil when the matching font is applied. In a plain editor it appears as unrelated letters and symbols. Paste it into the program that needs it and set the correct font there.
Can I convert a Word or PDF file directly?
This is a paste-in tool, so there is no file upload. Copy the text out of your document, paste it in, convert it, then copy the result or download a .txt file. Scanned pages need OCR before there is text to convert.
Is it free?
Yes. It is a free online tool with no sign-up. Paste, choose a format, convert, copy.