Cantonese Phonetic IME
廣東話拼音輸入法
CPIME Downloads
Free Cantonese Input Method Editor for Windows & Android
✨Recent Updates
- CPIME for Windows 11 / 10 (64-bit) Released: New 4-in-1 unified installer package (cpime7.1.24.msi, 22MB) integrating all 4 phonetic schemes
- Online CPIME Released: Web-based instant Cantonese IME editor is now available directly in your browser
Online CPIME
WEB免安裝・瀏覽器即開即用
Online CPIME Released (12 October 2026)
No installation required! Try Cantonese phonetic input (Jyutping, Yale, Sidney Lau, ILE) directly in your web browser:
Windows Unified Edition
4-IN-1Single Installer • All 4 Pinyin Schemes Built-in
Screenshots
Actual conversion screens and feature gallery
How to Use CPIME
Basic controls, shortcuts, and input guidelines
1. 4-in-1 Pinyin & Uppercase Initials Input
In the default "Auto" mode, you can type in Jyutping, Yale, Sidney Lau, or ILE without switching settings (no tone numbers needed; you can also lock to a specific scheme in Properties). Type capitalized syllable initials like "TLW" → "銅鑼灣" or "NH" → "你好" for shorthand input, with automatic word commit when continuing to type.
2. Candidate Selection, Commit & Paging
Up to 9 candidates appear immediately from the first keystroke. Press number keys 1–9 (or numpad) to commit directly, or use Space (next) / Shift + Space (previous) / ↑↓ arrow keys and press Enter to confirm. Use Page Up / Page Down to flip pages, and Esc to cancel.
3. Input Mode Toggle ("粵" ↔ "英")
Press the Shift key alone (or press "Alt + `") to switch between Cantonese input mode ("粵") and direct English input mode ("英") at any time.
4. Instant Traditional ↔ Simplified Toggle (Tab)
When a candidate shows the [簡] badge, press the Tab key to convert that candidate into Simplified Chinese ([繁] badge) on the spot. Press Tab again to restore Traditional Chinese before committing.
5. English Abbreviations, Mixed Terms & Reverse Lookup
Convert English abbreviations directly (e.g., "hsbc" → "滙豐 / 滙豐銀行"), type Hong Kong Cantonese-English mixed expressions without switching modes (e.g., "hoiot" → "開OT"), or type English words (e.g., "vacation" → "假 / 假期") to look up Cantonese words when you do not know the pinyin.
6. Smart History ([紀錄]), Deletion (Ctrl + Del) & User Dictionary
Committed words are automatically prioritized as history candidates ([紀錄]). Press "Ctrl + Delete" to remove an unwanted history item on the fly, type "?" to recall recent inputs, type "今日" / "而家" for dynamic date/time conversion, or add custom words via Add Word (User Dictionary).
CPIME for Android
Mobile Cantonese IME supporting swipe typing, Initial P, and English conversion
⚡ Swipe Gestures
Swipe on keys to enter capitals and symbols quickly. Swipe left/right on spacebar to move cursor.
🎯 Initial P (Easy Pinyin)
Type only the initial letters of each syllable (capitalized). Typing "NH", "neiH", or "Nhou" will suggest "你好".
🌐 Direct English Translation
Type English words to directly output corresponding Cantonese Chinese characters.
📅 Quick Date & Day Insertion
Type "今天" for current date, or "星期三" for Wednesday date suggestions.
Cantonese Pinyin Comparison Table
Interactive side-by-side comparison of Jyutping (LSHK), Yale, Sidney Lau, and Standard Cantonese Pinyin (ILE)
Representative Syllable Comparison
Compare how common Cantonese words are transcribed across the 4 major romanization systems:
About CPIME
Philosophy, development history, and purpose of CPIME
Why CPIME is free? Input software should be "Air".
CPIME was created to solve the lack of easy, phonetic Cantonese input on personal computers. Unlike Mandarin Pinyin, Cantonese romanization historically had several coexisting systems. CPIME provides a unified, freely accessible platform for all speakers and learners.
"I believe Input software should be 'Air'. Air is free of charge, no copyright, everyone needs it, and we don't feel it exists while using it."
"Around 20 years ago when I went to university in the US, I bought a Taiwanese input software that cost me about US$100 — expensive for a poor student. Later, I looked for a free Cantonese input software, and after many failures, I decided to write CPIME by myself."
"Even if only one person uses it, that makes me feel worthy to share it on the internet. Welcome to make any comments to cpime@yahoo.com.hk."
🚀 Roadmap & Evolution to v7.1.24
Originally envisioned in early releases ("Next target"), CPIME has continuously evolved to fulfill every core community request:
Automatically prioritizes frequently selected Cantonese characters and phrases based on your typing habits.
Full support for custom vocabulary and phrase registration via customizable plain-text dictionary files.
Type across Jyutping, Yale, Sidney Lau, and ILE simultaneously without switching settings, plus Initial-P (Easy Pinyin).
Continuous multi-character word conversion, tone filtering, reverse lookup, and English-to-Cantonese translation.
Update History
Release log and changelog from version 1.0 (2008) to current 2026 releases
Windows version of CPIME updated to Version 7.1.24 (cpime7.1.24.msi). Added unified 4-scheme support, expanded dictionary words, and improved Windows 11 24H2 compatibility.
Added Online CPIME — type Cantonese characters directly in any browser without installation, featuring live Pinyin Converter and Dictionary Editor.
Added PowerShell registration guide for Windows 11 (zh-Hant-HK profile) and updated direct installer distribution links.
Added "Easy Cantonese Pronunciation" guide and launched CPIME for Android 2.0 Beta (Swipe gestures, Initial P, English translation, Date shortcuts).
Added tone number filtering in v6.2.7 and dynamic date/weekday input (e.g. typing 今天 or 星期) in v6.1.5. Original CPIME 1.0 launched on 2008/03/28.
📦 Legacy Version Archive (v6.2.7 Individual Scheme Packages)
For older Windows systems or users preferring separate single-scheme dictionaries:
Privacy Policy
Our commitment to data privacy, local offline processing, and user security
Personal Information NOT Collected
We will NOT collect, store, or upload your personal typing history, keystrokes, contacts, or private text content.
Local Offline IME Engine
Both Windows CPIME and Web Online CPIME process Cantonese dictionary lookups locally on your device.
Mobile App Transparency
The free Android app uses standard Google Play Services & AdMob SDKs governed by Google’s official Privacy Policy.
📄 Read Full Privacy Policy Document (Google Play Services, Log Data, Cookies, Security)▼
CPIME built the CPIME Cantoneses Input app as an Ad Supported app. This SERVICE is provided by CPIME at no cost and is intended for use as is. This page is used to inform visitors regarding our policies with the collection, use, and disclosure of Personal Information if anyone decided to use our Service.
If you choose to use our Service, then you agree to the collection and use of information in relation to this policy. The Personal Information that we collect is used for providing and improving the Service. We will not use or share your information with anyone except as described in this Privacy Policy.
Information NOT Collected and Used
We will NOT collect and use your personal information when you use our keyboard input service.
Information Collection and Use & Third-Party Providers
For a better experience, while using our Service, we may require you to provide us with certain personally identifiable information. The information that we request will be retained on your device and is not collected by us in any way. The app does use third party services that may collect information used to identify you: Google Play Services and AdMob.
Log Data & Cookies
Whenever you use our Service, in a case of an error in the app we collect data and information (through third party products) on your phone called Log Data (such as IP address, device name, OS version, app configuration, and time/date). This Service does not use Cookies explicitly, though third-party code and libraries may use cookies to improve their services.
Security & Children's Privacy
We value your trust in providing us your Personal Information, thus we are striving to use commercially acceptable means of protecting it. These Services do not address anyone under the age of 13. If you have any questions or suggestions about our Privacy Policy, do not hesitate to contact us at cpime@yahoo.com.hk.