Bamini to Unicode Converter
Paste text from a Bamini document and get Unicode Tamil that works everywhere. It converts as you type, in your browser.
Why convert Bamini to Unicode?
Bamini is a font trick: the document stores English letters and the font paints Tamil over them. That works only where a Bamini font is installed and only inside documents set in it. Send the text anywhere else and it turns into strings likejkpo; vq;fs; capUf;F Neu;.
Unicode stores the actual Tamil letters, so the same text works in WhatsApp, Gmail, Google Docs, on websites and on phones, can be searched, and displays in any Tamil font.
How to convert a Bamini document
- Open the document in Word, select the Bamini text and copy it.
- Paste it into the left box. The Unicode version appears on the right straight away.
- Press Copy and paste the result back into your document or anywhere else.
- In Word, set the pasted text to a Unicode Tamil font such as Latha, or one of our free Tamil fonts.
Bamini and Unicode side by side
| Stored in a Bamini file | Unicode Tamil |
|---|---|
| jkpo; | தமிழ் |
| tzf;fk; | வணக்கம் |
| nfhOk;G | கொழும்பு |
| $l;lk; | கூட்டம் |
| %d;W | மூன்று |
Need the Bamini font itself? All 86 variants are on our Bamini font page. To type new Tamil without Bamini, use the Tamil typing editor.
Bamini to Unicode: common questions
What is Bamini?
Bamini is an older Tamil font, very common in Sri Lanka and among Tamils abroad, that draws Tamil letters in place of English ones. The file actually stores characters such as "jkpo;", and only a Bamini font makes them look like தமிழ். Unicode Tamil stores the real Tamil letters instead.
Why does my Tamil text turn into English letters when I copy it?
Because it was typed in Bamini. Outside a document set in a Bamini font - in WhatsApp, an email, a website or another font - you see the underlying English characters. Converting it to Unicode fixes this permanently.
Is my text uploaded anywhere?
No. The conversion runs entirely in your browser, so the text never leaves your device. It is free with no sign-up and no limit on length.
Does it work with all Bamini fonts?
Yes for the standard Bamini layout, which the many Bamini font variants share. It was checked glyph by glyph against the Bamini font, including the joined shapes for கு, கூ, டி and the like. Other Tamil legacy fonts such as Anjal or TSCII use different layouts and will not convert correctly.
How do I use the converted text in Microsoft Word?
Paste it into Word and select a Unicode Tamil font such as Latha, Nirmala UI or any font from our free Tamil fonts page. Do not keep the Bamini font on Unicode text, or it will look broken.