Learn Shorthand Step by Step
Learn shorthand from the basics, practice dictation and transcription, build speed, and prepare for stenographer examinations including Delhi High Court and SSC.
13 Pitman Levels
Step-by-step curriculum & rules
Drawing Canvas
Touch & stylus practice board
Audio Dictation
40 to 120 WPM paced speech
Exam Simulator
Delhi High Court & SSC tests
What is Shorthand & How Does Stenography Work?
In normal longhand writing, recording spoken English at conversational speed (120 to 150 words per minute) is humanly impossible because alphabet characters are cumbersome. Shorthand solves this by replacing complex letters with simplified geometric strokes, loops, and hooks that represent sounds rather than spelling.
Phonetic Sound System
Silent letters are discarded. You write only what the ear hears. For example, "debt" is written simply as "d-t", and "rough" as "r-f".
Light vs. Heavy Strokes
Voiceless sounds (P, T, CH, K) are drawn light and thin; voiced sounds (B, D, J, G) are drawn thick and heavy, allowing intuitive pairing.
Word-Signs & Phraseography
High-frequency words ("the", "of", "and", "should") and phrases ("in accordance with") are condensed into swift single pen motions.
The 4-Step Stenography Workflow
From the spoken word to the certified typed legal document.
SPEECH
Listening to live or dictated speech (40 to 120+ WPM)
SHORTHAND NOTES
Capturing phonetic strokes, vowels & phrases in steno pad
TRANSCRIPTION
Reading back handwritten shorthand outlines accurately
TYPED DOCUMENT
Producing flawless final computer document at 40+ WPM
Shorthand is Only Half the Battle — Typing Completes It
In official recruitment examinations (such as Delhi High Court SPA/PA or SSC Stenographer), writing shorthand outlines gets you through the dictation room. But your final rank is determined entirely on the computer screen: transcribing your shorthand notes accurately and typing them under strict time limits.
13-Level Pitman Shorthand Path
A methodical progression from pen holding to official 120 WPM exam readiness.
Introduction to Shorthand & Phonetic Principles
Understand how shorthand works by sound rather than conventional spelling.
Basic Straight & Curved Strokes
Master the core 8 straight consonant strokes and introductory curves.
The Pitman Vowel Scheme
Learn the 12 vowels, dot/dash signs, and 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place vowel positions.
Complete Consonants & Position Writing
Explore curves, upward strokes, and the 3 writing positions (Above, On, Through the line).
Joining Strokes Without Lifting the Pen
Learn the cardinal rule of stenography: continuous outlines written in one fluid stroke.
Word Formation & Intervening Vowels
Master rules for reading and writing vowels between joined consonant strokes.
Phrase Writing (Phraseography)
Combine frequent words into single fluid outlines to double your writing speed.
Pitman Shorthand Sign Explorer
Browse verified consonant strokes, 12-vowel scheme, diphthongs, and word-signs.
P
light/p/ as in Pay, Post, Pen
B
heavy/b/ as in Bay, Book, Boy
T
light/t/ as in Tea, Top, Tie
D
heavy/d/ as in Day, Do, Door
CH (Chay)
light/tʃ/ as in Chair, Chest, Check
J (Jay)
heavy/dʒ/ as in Joy, Judge, Age
K (Kay)
light/k/ as in Key, Cook, King
G (Gay)
heavy/ɡ/ as in Go, Give, Game
F (Ef)
light/f/ as in Fee, For, Off
V (Vee)
heavy/v/ as in View, Voice, Have
TH (Ith)
light/θ/ as in Thin, Think, Path
M (Em)
light/m/ as in Me, Man, Make
N (En)
light/n/ as in No, Name, New
L (El)
light/l/ as in Look, Late, Life
R (Ray - Upward)
light/r/ as in Red, Right, Room
Government Stenography Exam Simulators
Configured strictly against current official recruitment parameters.
Delhi High Court Senior Personal Assistant (SPA)
English Shorthand Test at 110 WPM (550 words dictated in 5 minutes) with 45 minutes transcription on computer. Maximum permitted mistakes is 5%.
Delhi High Court Personal Assistant (PA)
English Shorthand Test at 100 WPM (500 words dictated in 5 minutes) with 45 minutes transcription on computer. Maximum permitted mistakes is 5%.
SSC Stenographer Grade C
Dictation for 10 minutes in English at 100 WPM (1000 words). Transcription time: 40 minutes on computer.
SSC Stenographer Grade D
Dictation for 10 minutes in English at 80 WPM (800 words). Transcription time: 50 minutes on computer.
Frequently Asked Questions About Shorthand
Q.What is Pitman English Shorthand?
Pitman Shorthand is a phonetic transcription system invented by Sir Isaac Pitman in 1837. Words are written exactly as they sound rather than how they are spelled in English. Consonants are represented by geometric straight and curved strokes, while vowels are represented by dots and dashes positioned relative to the strokes.
Q.How long does it take to learn shorthand?
A learner practicing 1 to 2 hours daily can typically master the basic strokes, vowel rules, and grammalogues in 4 to 8 weeks. Achieving exam-standard speeds (80 to 100+ WPM for SSC or Delhi High Court) usually takes 6 to 12 months of disciplined daily dictation and computer transcription practice.
Q.What is the difference between Shorthand and Typing?
Shorthand is an ultra-fast handwritten phonetic script designed to capture human speech live at 80 to 120+ WPM in a stenographer notepad. Typing is the transcription process where those handwritten shorthand outlines are converted into formal digital documents on a computer keyboard. Both skills are required in stenography examinations.
Q.How does audio dictation practice work on TypeHindi?
Our dictation studio plays natural English passages at customizable speeds ranging from 40 WPM to 120 WPM with a 3-second countdown timer. The passage text is kept hidden while you write notes in your steno pad. Once finished, you can transcribe your notes directly on the computer to evaluate your word accuracy.
Q.Do I need to pay or create an account to use the shorthand tools?
No. The entire TypeHindi Shorthand platform is 100% free and open. All your progress, daily streaks, test results, and notebook entries are stored locally and privately in your browser.