Romaji Converters Compared
We make one of these converters, the Japanese from Japan converter. We compare it as fairly as we can, gaps included. No link on this page is an affiliate link.
If you want each sound you type turned into plain hiragana, use a dedicated converter: Japanese from Japan, GyanMirai, NihongoClassroom and JFT Guru all do it. To read kanji you pasted in, look at NihongoClassroom and JFT Guru; to turn kana back into romaji, GyanMirai, NihongoClassroom and JFT Guru. Ours does neither. If what you really want is the meaning of a sentence, use Google Translate: it is a translator, not a kana converter.
The five converters side by side
| Feature | Japanese from Japan(this site) | Google Translate | GyanMirai | NihongoClassroom | JFT Guru |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Converts as you typeNo convert button: the kana appear while you type. | Yes "Real-time" per its page | Partly Press Romaji → ひらがな to convert (our test, Nov 4) | |||
| Plain hiragana outputRomaji in, hiragana out, with no kanji mixed in. | No Gives kanji and kana mixed (寿司 を 食べます) | ||||
| Katakana outputThe same input written in katakana. | Yes One-tap toggle, or type a word in UPPERCASE | No No katakana mode | Yes Shown next to the hiragana | ||
| Kana to romaji tooWorks the other way: paste kana, get romaji. | No Romaji in only | Yes Romanization under Japanese text | Partly Separate Kana to Romaji tool on the site | Yes Kana → Romaji Converter on the page | |
| Reads kanji you paste inPaste kanji and get its reading in kana or romaji. | No Doesn't read pasted kanji | Yes As romanization | Not found None found on this page | Yes Kanji Mode | Partly Separate Furigana Generator tool |
| Shows kanji for typed wordsType a word in romaji and see how it is written with kanji. | Partly About 170 common words only | Partly Separate Romaji to Kanji tool with ranked kanji candidates | Not found None found: Kanji Mode reads kanji, it doesn't suggest them | Not found None found on this page | |
| English meaningTells you what the word or sentence means. | Partly For those same common words, not sentences | Yes Full translation | Not found None found on this page | Partly Separate Translator tool on the site | Partly Separate dictionary tool |
| Listen to itPlays the Japanese aloud. | No No audio | Not found None found on this page | Yes Listen button (speech synthesis) | Yes Speaker buttons on each box | |
| Your name in katakanaA tool that writes an English name in katakana. | Yes Separate name page | Not found None found | Yes Separate name page | Not found None found in its tools menu | Yes Separate name converter |
| Free, no sign-upUse it without an account or payment. |
Checked on each product's own pages. Click a mark to see where. Swipe sideways on a phone to see every column.
Pick them if
Pick Google Translate if
Anyone who wants to know what a sentence means: it translates, shows romanization of the Japanese, reads it aloud, and turns typed romaji into normal Japanese with kanji.
- It translates whole sentences, which no converter here does
- It reads kanji, shows romanization and plays the Japanese aloud
- Romaji typed into the Japanese box becomes normal written Japanese, kanji included
Not for: Learners who want plain hiragana: romaji typed in comes out as kanji and kana mixed, the way a native would write it.
Pick GyanMirai if
Learners who want to "type romaji below and instantly see the corresponding hiragana and katakana characters" side by side, with a copy button for each, on a site built around JLPT prep.
- Hiragana and katakana side by side at once, each with its own copy button
- Clear tips on the page for small tsu (kk) and standalone n (n')
- Free live JLPT N5 and N4 demo classes on the same site
Not for: Anyone who wants everything in one box: this page converts romaji to kana only, and kana to romaji, kanji suggestions and names are separate tools on the site.
Pick NihongoClassroom if
Learners who need to go both ways: its Kana Mode converts between romaji, hiragana and katakana, and its Kanji Mode turns kanji into hiragana, katakana and romaji, with a Listen button.
- Reads kanji you paste in and gives hiragana, katakana and romaji (Kanji Mode)
- Works in both directions, so it also turns kana into romaji
- A Listen button for each result
Not for: Anyone who wants an English meaning inside the converter: translation is a separate tool on the site.
Pick JFT Guru if
Learners preparing for the JFT-Basic exam (many of them Nepali speakers, per its page) who want a Hepburn converter in both directions next to 33 free tools and mock tests.
- Both directions: romaji to kana and kana to romaji
- Speaker buttons to hear the result
- A big free toolbox beside it: furigana generator, dictionary, name converter and JFT-Basic mock tests
Not for: Anyone who wants results while typing: in our test the kana appeared only after pressing the Romaji → ひらがな button.
Pick Japanese from Japan if
Beginners who type romaji and want clean hiragana or katakana as they type, plus the usual kanji and meaning of common words so they learn the written form.
- Hiragana appears as you type, with no button to press
- Kanji and meaning hints for about 170 everyday words, so you see how words like taberu (食べる) are really written
- Hiragana and katakana in one sentence: words typed in UPPERCASE come out in katakana
Where we're weaker
- vs Google Translate: Google translates sentences and reads them aloud; we only convert the sounds
- vs Google Translate: Google reads kanji you paste in; we can't
- vs GyanMirai: GyanMirai shows hiragana and katakana at the same time; we show one at a time
- vs GyanMirai: GyanMirai also has kana-to-romaji and romaji-to-kanji tools; we have neither
- vs NihongoClassroom: NihongoClassroom reads pasted kanji and has audio; we have neither
- vs NihongoClassroom: It converts kana back to romaji; we don't
- vs JFT Guru: JFT Guru has audio and a kana-to-romaji converter; we don't
And in general:
- It only goes one way: it can't turn kana or kanji back into romaji
- It can't read kanji you paste in
- No audio: you can't hear the word
- Kanji hints cover about 170 common words, not a full dictionary
Prices side by side (as of Nov 2026)
Japanese from Japan as of Nov 2026
- Free: US$0No account. The page shows affiliate links (a Preply tutor card and Amazon books).
Google Translate as of Nov 2026
- Free: US$0Up to 5,000 characters at a time when you paste text
GyanMirai as of Nov 2026
- Converter: Free
- Pro (JLPT mocks, not the converter): US$4.50 a month (was US$9), or US$9 until the examShown in the banner on the converter page
NihongoClassroom as of Nov 2026
JFT Guru as of Nov 2026
- Converter and tools: Free"Free", "No Login Required"; 33 tools
FAQ
Which romaji converter is best?
It depends on what you need. For plain hiragana: Japanese from Japan, GyanMirai, NihongoClassroom and JFT Guru. To read pasted kanji: NihongoClassroom and JFT Guru. To turn kana back into romaji: GyanMirai, NihongoClassroom and JFT Guru. To know what a sentence means: Google Translate.
Why doesn't Google Translate give me hiragana?
Google Translate is a translator: it writes Japanese the way a native would. Gives kanji and kana mixed (寿司 を 食べます). If you want each sound as hiragana, use a converter.
Are these converters free?
Free without an account: Japanese from Japan, Google Translate, GyanMirai, NihongoClassroom and JFT Guru. The price section shows what each site sells besides the converter.
Should I keep using romaji?
Use a converter to check spelling while you learn kana, then try to read kana directly. Most learners can read hiragana after a week or two of daily practice.
We checked every fact on this page on each product's own site in Nov 2026. Spotted an error? Email support@sblocktechnologies.com and we'll fix it within a week.