What this calculator does
A Pig Latin translator converts ordinary English text into Pig Latin, the playground word game where each word is rearranged following a small set of fixed rules. It is a language toy rather than a real language, but the rules are consistent enough to apply mechanically to any sentence.
This tool follows the most common convention: if a word starts with one or more consonants, that leading consonant cluster moves to the end of the word and "ay" is added; if a word starts with a vowel, "way" is simply added to the end with nothing moved. Capitalisation on the first letter of a word is preserved in the result.
The formula
Each word is scanned from the start for its first vowel. If the very first character is already a vowel, "way" is appended and nothing else changes. Otherwise, every character up to (but not including) that first vowel, which can include a run of consonants or an embedded digit or symbol, is moved to the end of the word and "ay" is appended. Punctuation attached to the word is left in place.
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Consonant cluster | One or more consonants at the very start of a word, such as the "st" in "stop" or the "sh" in "shirt", moved together to the end. |
| Vowel-start rule | Words already beginning with a, e, i, o or u simply have "way" added, with nothing rearranged. |
| ay-suffix | The standard Pig Latin ending added after the moved consonant cluster, giving the game its characteristic sound. |
The inputs explained
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Text to translate | The word or sentence to translate. Each word is translated independently using the rules above, and spacing between words is kept. |
When to use it
Playing the word game with a full sentence
Typing in a whole sentence translates every word at once using the same consistent rules, rather than working out each word by hand.
Checking a word with an unusual start
Words that begin with a consonant cluster longer than one letter, such as "str" or "scr", or that have a letter buried among digits, are easy to get wrong by hand; the translator applies the rule mechanically every time.
Making a novelty username or message
A short phrase run through the translator gives a quick, consistent Pig Latin version for a username, message or bit of playground fun.
Worked examples
Every figure in the tables below is produced by this page’s own calculator at build time, so the numbers and the tool always agree. Select any row to load that scenario.
How do different kinds of words translate?
A digit-led token, a vowel embedded mid-word, a short phrase and a longer word, each run through the translator.
| Text entered | Pig Latin result |
|---|---|
| x2 | xay2 |
| H2O | Oh2ay |
| Hello world | Ellohay orldway |
| StatGarden | Atgardenstay |
Questions
What happens to words that start with a vowel?
They are left as they are, apart from "way" added to the end. "Apple" becomes "appleway", with no letters rearranged, which is the standard convention this tool follows.
Are there other versions of the Pig Latin rules?
Yes, some variants add just "ay" (not "way") to vowel-start words, or handle the letter "y" differently depending on whether it is acting as a vowel or a consonant in that word. This tool uses the most widely taught version.
Does punctuation get translated too?
No. Punctuation attached to a word, such as a comma or full stop, is left in place at the end of the translated word rather than being moved or altered.
Why does a word with a number in it look strange when translated?
The translator only recognises the letters a, e, i, o and u as vowels. A digit or symbol before the first true vowel is treated as part of the consonant cluster and moved along with any consonants, which is why a token like "H2O" produces an unusual-looking result.
For other novelty text tools, see the bold text generator and the gematria calculator.