New Uzbek Latin-script alphabet from 22 April 2027: 28 letters, what is changing and when
Law No. ZRU-1184 of 21 October 2026 amends the Uzbek Latin-script alphabet. Instead of 26 letters and three digraphs, it will contain 28 letters and the sign ʼ (tutuq belgisi). The letters Ğ, Ö, Ş and Ç are introduced instead of Gʻ, Oʻ, Sh and Ch, while the digraph ng ceases to be an independent unit of the alphabet. The law comes into force on 22 April 2027. Documents, money and securities with the old letters remain valid.
What is changing
Law No. ZRU-1184 sets out Article 1 of the 1993 Law “On the introduction of the Uzbek alphabet based on the Latin script” in a new wording. Four characters change, the digraph ng leaves the alphabet, and the sign ʼ remains:
| Now | From 22 April 2027 | In Cyrillic |
|---|---|---|
| Gʻ gʻ | Ğ ğ | Ғ ғ |
| Oʻ oʻ | Ö ö | Ў ў |
| Sh sh (digraph) | Ş ş | Ш ш |
| Ch ch (digraph) | Ç ç | Ч ч |
| Ng ng (digraph) | not in the alphabet | нг |
| ʼ (tutuq belgisi) | ʼ, unchanged | ъ |
The remaining 24 letters do not change.
Vice-President of the Academy of Sciences Bakhrom Abdukhalimov explained in the Legislative Chamber on 7 July why these specific characters are being changed (Gazeta.uz). On a computer, oʻ and gʻ require multiple keystrokes, in practice they have more than ten spelling variants, and separate letters of this kind do not exist in the Unicode standard. The combinations sh and ch are inconvenient in words like shoshilinch and xushchaqchaq. According to him, scholars adopted the principle of “one sound — one letter” as the basis.
The digraph ng is absent from the new wording: the law lists only 28 letters and the sign ʼ. The law does not state separately how the sound “ng” should now be written. In messages from the Senate and the Ministry of Education and Science that have already been typed with the new letters, it is written with two letters: tilimizning, yangi.
The sign ʼ remains. In Cyrillic, it corresponds to the hard sign ъ (Gazeta.uz, Kun.uz). Examples from the 1995 spelling rules: eʼlon, sanʼat, sheʼr — эълон, санъат, шеър.
All 28 letters of the new alphabet
This is what the alphabet looks like in Article 1 of the law in the new wording. The alphabetical order follows the law: Ğ comes after G, Ö after O, and Ş and Ç after S. Cyrillic correspondence is given according to the table in the law as worded in 1995.
| Letter | Name under the law | In Cyrillic |
|---|---|---|
| 1. A a | a | А а |
| 2. B b | be | Б б |
| 3. D d | de | Д д |
| 4. E e | e | Э э |
| 5. F f | fe | Ф ф |
| 6. G g | ge | Г г |
| 7. Ğ ğ — instead of Gʻ gʻ | ğe | Ғ ғ |
| 8. H h | he | Ҳ ҳ |
| 9. I i | i | И и |
| 10. J j | je | Ж ж |
| 11. K k | ke | К к |
| 12. L l | le | Л л |
| 13. M m | me | М м |
| 14. N n | ne | Н н |
| 15. O o | o | О о |
| 16. Ö ö — instead of Oʻ oʻ | ö | Ў ў |
| 17. P p | pe | П п |
| 18. Q q | qe | Қ қ |
| 19. R r | re | Р р |
| 20. S s | se | С с |
| 21. Ş ş — instead of Sh sh | şe | Ш ш |
| 22. Ç ç — instead of Ch ch | çe | Ч ч |
| 23. T t | te | Т т |
| 24. U u | u | У у |
| 25. V v | ve | В в |
| 26. X x | xe | Х х |
| 27. Y y | ye | Й й |
| 28. Z z | ze | З з |
| ʼ — tutuq belgisi, a sign, not a letter | tutuq belgisi | ъ |
In the law, a name is specified for each letter. For eight letters it differs from the 1995 version: fe, ke, le, me, ne, qe, se, xe instead of ef, ka, el, em, en, qa, es, xa.
There are no separate letters for the Cyrillic е, ё, ю and я either in the current alphabet or in the new one. For example, етти, ёз, юлдуз, яхши are written yetti, yoz, yulduz, yaxshi (1995 spelling rules). There are no new spelling rules for the new alphabet yet; they are planned to be developed after the adoption of the law (Gazeta.uz, 7 July).
When it comes into force
Under Article 4, the law comes into force six months after its official publication. It was published on 21 October 2026 in the National Database of Legislation (No. 03/26/1184/1063). Lex.uz gives the date of entry into force as Thursday, 22 April 2027.
| Stage | Date |
|---|---|
| The Legislative Chamber passed the law | 7 July 2026 |
| The Senate approved the law | 10 September 2026 |
| The President signed the law, it was published | 21 October 2026 |
| The law comes into force | 22 April 2027 |
The President signed the law on 21 October, on Uzbek Language Day. Our news story about the signing is here (in Russian).
Until 22 April 2027, the current version remains in effect: 26 letters and 3 digraphs. Therefore, in the national certificate examinations in the native language and literature on 24–26 October 2026, the tasks were set in the current alphabet, and answers to open-ended tasks and essays had to be written in it as well (Ministry of Education and Science, Telegram, 24 October).
Documents, money and signs
Transitional rules are in Article 2 of the law:
- Documents issued in the Latin script before the entry into force of the law, the national currency, and securities with the old letterforms remain valid and in circulation.
- Insignia and other attributes of state bodies and organisations, the embossed image of the State Emblem on their buildings, and signs and signposts with the names of geographical objects are used until they become unusable or until the deadline under the programme of measures for the implementation of the law. The Cabinet of Ministers may add other items to this list.
Under Article 3, the Cabinet of Ministers develops and approves this programme within a two-month period, brings its decisions into conformity with the law, and explains it to the population. As of 27 October 2026, the programme is not on Lex.uz.
Officials explained how this will work:
- Head of the Presidential Administration Saida Mirziyoyeva, 21 October. There will be no need to replace all documents. Textbooks, signs and signposts will be replaced gradually, as their service life expires.
- Vice-President of the Academy of Sciences Bakhrom Abdukhalimov, 7 July. The new alphabet will be applied during scheduled textbook reprints, when replacing passports and other documents after their expiration, and during the natural updating of the national currency and organisational signage. Nothing will be replaced ahead of schedule.
- Legislative Chamber, 7 July. Such a procedure spares state bodies and organisations from having to replace documents, forms, signs and signposts simultaneously.
Who switches and when
The law does not set transition dates for state bodies, the media, schools or businesses. Deadlines for insignia, signs and signposts will be established by the Cabinet of Ministers’ programme. What is known from official statements:
- State bodies and media. The head of the Department for the Development of the State Language under the Cabinet of Ministers said at a Senate meeting on 10 September that after the law comes into force, the new alphabet will be required in state bodies, official record keeping and the media. In personal correspondence, according to him, you can write in the familiar alphabet (Spot.uz).
- Schools. Textbooks will begin to be converted to the new alphabet in 2027, starting with grade 1 textbooks, and fully by 2031. Deputy Minister of Preschool and School Education Azizbek Turdiev stated this in the Senate on 10 September. Grade 1 textbooks are reprinted every year, grades 2–4 every three years, and grades 5–11 every five years, so they will be updated on their regular schedule. Seminars are planned for teachers. Examinations after the law comes into force will be conducted using the new alphabet (Kun.uz).
- Shop signs and advertising. The law does not mention them separately. There are no official explanations yet.
Some official messages on Telegram have already been typed using the new letters: those of the Senate and the Head of the Presidential Administration from 21 October, and of the Ministry of Education and Science from 24 October.
Examples: how it was and how it will be
On the left is the current official spelling, in the middle is the same word according to the table of the new law. The middle column is illustrative: there are no new spelling rules yet.
| Now (official spelling) | Under the new table | What changes |
|---|---|---|
| Oʻzbekiston | Özbekiston | Oʻ → Ö |
| Toshkent | Toşkent | sh → ş |
| Chirchiq | Çirçiq | Ch, ch → Ç, ç |
| Shahrisabz | Şahrisabz | Sh → Ş |
| Gʻijduvon | Ğijduvon | Gʻ → Ğ |
| Fargʻona | Farğona | gʻ → ğ |
| Qoʻqon | Qöqon | oʻ → ö |
| Urganch | Urganç | ch → ç |
| shoshilinch | şoşilinç | sh, ch → ş, ç |
| sheʼr | şeʼr | sh → ş, the sign ʼ remains |
| yangi | yangi | unchanged |
Keyboard and fonts
The new letters exist in the Unicode standard as separate characters. In the text of the law on Lex.uz, these are Ğ (U+011E), Ö (U+00D6), Ş (U+015E) and Ç (U+00C7), and the tutuq belgisi sign is ʼ (U+02BC). The same letters are used, for example, in Turkish, Azerbaijani and Turkmen (Academy of Sciences, Gazeta.uz, 7 July).
We found no official keyboard layout with the new letters as of 27 October. The head of the Department for the Development of the State Language stated in the Senate on 10 September that specialists propose placing Ö, Ğ, Ş and Ç on free keys so they can be typed with a single keystroke. According to him, software has already appeared on the internet that converts text from Cyrillic and the current Latin script into the new alphabet (Spot.uz).
How the alphabet has changed
| What happened | When |
|---|---|
| Uzbek Latin script writing; the 1993 law cites this experience | 1929–1940 |
| Law No. 931-XII: 31 letters and an apostrophe, including Ş, Ç and Ğ, and the letter C for the sound “ts” | 2 September 1993 |
| Deadline for full transition to the Latin script — 1 September 2000 (Supreme Council Resolution No. 932-XII) | 1993 |
| Law No. 71-I: 26 letters and 3 digraphs; letters with diacritics replaced by Oʻ, Gʻ, Sh, Ch and Ng, letters C and Ĵ removed | 6 May 1995 |
| Transition deadline moved to 1 September 2005, then to 1 September 2010 | 1995, 2004 |
| Draft by the working group under the Tashkent University of Uzbek Language and Literature: ç, ş, ŏ, ğ, digraph ng retained | November 2018 |
| “Final” draft by the same group: ş, ç, ó, ǵ, letter c returned, without ng | May 2019 |
| Presidential decree No. PF-6084 on the development of the Uzbek language | 20 October 2020 |
| Cabinet of Ministers “road map” (Resolution No. 61): record keeping of all organisations in the Latin script from 1 January 2023 | 10 February 2021 |
| Academy of Sciences bill: ş, ç, ŏ, ğ and the digraph ng; discussion extended to 1 November 2021 | March 2021 |
| Working group draft: Õ, Ğ, Ş and C | September 2023 |
| Saida Mirziyoyeva proposed finalising the revision of the alphabet | 11 December 2023 |
| Law No. ZRU-1184: Ğ, Ö, Ş and Ç, without ng | 21 October 2026 |
The 2026 bill was not published for public discussion (Gazeta.uz). The full transition to the Latin script is not complete: both Cyrillic and Latin scripts are used in the country (Gazeta.uz, 21 October).
Questions and answers
When does the new alphabet take effect?
From 22 April 2027, when Law No. ZRU-1184 comes into force. Until then, the current version is valid: 26 letters and 3 digraphs.
Do I need to replace my passport, ID card or diploma?
No. Documents issued before 22 April 2027 remain valid (Article 2 of the law). According to the Vice-President of the Academy of Sciences, the new spelling will appear when the document is replaced after expiration. There are no official explanations yet on how names and surnames will be written in documents issued after 22 April 2027.
Will money with the old letters remain in circulation?
Yes. The national currency and securities with the former spelling remain in circulation (Article 2 of the law). The new letters, according to the Vice-President of the Academy of Sciences, will appear during the regular updating of the national currency. We found no announcements from the Central Bank regarding banknotes with the new letters.
When will signs and signposts be replaced?
Signs and signposts with the names of geographical objects, insignia of state bodies and organisations, and the embossed emblem on buildings are used until worn out or until the deadline under the Cabinet of Ministers’ programme (Article 2 of the law). As of 27 October 2026, there is no programme. The law does not speak separately about shop signs and advertising, and there are no official explanations yet.
What will change in schools?
Textbooks will be converted to the new alphabet in 2027–2031, starting with the first grade (Deputy Minister Azizbek Turdiev, 10 September). Examinations after the entry into force of the law will be conducted using the new alphabet. In the national certificate examinations on 24–26 October 2026, according to the Ministry of Education and Science, the current alphabet had to be used.
How do you write names and surnames with Ш, Ч and Ё?
In the new alphabet, there is one letter each for Ш and Ч: Ş and Ç. Under the new table, Sherzod becomes Şerzod, and Choʻlpon becomes Çölpon. There is no separate letter for Ё either now or in the new alphabet: it is rendered with the combination yo, as in the word yoz — ёз (1995 spelling rules). There are no official explanations yet on how names and surnames will be recorded in passports and other documents after 22 April 2027.
What will happen to Cyrillic?
Law No. ZRU-1184 does not mention Cyrillic and sets no deadlines for abandoning it. Article 2 of the 1993 law, which it does not amend, preserves the conditions for studying and using the Cyrillic and Arabic scripts. Under the 2021 “road map”, all organisations were required to conduct record keeping in the Latin script from 1 January 2023 (Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 61), but both scripts continue to be used in the country (Gazeta.uz). The head of the Department for the Development of the State Language said that you can write in the familiar alphabet in personal correspondence.
Do I need to switch my website and social media to the new alphabet?
The law says nothing about websites, and the Cabinet of Ministers’ programme has not yet been adopted. The head of the Department for the Development of the State Language spoke of a requirement for state bodies, official record keeping and the media after the law comes into force. There are no official explanations yet for websites of private companies.
Where to check
- The text of Law No. ZRU-1184 and the date it comes into force — on Lex.uz. The law there is currently available only in Uzbek.
- The Cabinet of Ministers’ programme for the implementation of the law and the new spelling rules — on Lex.uz once they are published.
- We will update the reference page when these documents are released.
Sources
- Закон № ЗРУ-1184 от 21 октября 2026 года о внесении изменения в закон «О введении узбекского алфавита, основанного на латинской графике»: статья 1 — 28 букв и знак ʼ (tutuq belgisi) с названиями, статья 2 — документы, валюта, ценные бумаги, символика и вывески, статья 3 — программа Кабмина в двухмесячный срок, статья 4 — вступление в силу через шесть месяцев после опубликования; принят Законодательной палатой 7 июля, одобрен Сенатом 10 сентября, опубликован 21 октября 2026 года (№ 03/26/1184/1063), дата вступления в силу — 22 апреля 2027 года (Lex.uz, текст на узбекском языке)
- Закон № 931-XII от 2 сентября 1993 года «О введении узбекского алфавита, основанного на латинской графике»: преамбула об опыте 1929–1940 годов, статья 1 в редакции 1995 года — 26 букв и 3 буквосочетания, статья 2 — условия для кириллицы и арабской графики; первая редакция 1993 года — 31 буква и 1 апостроф (Lex.uz, русский текст, редакции — по ссылкам на странице)
- Тот же закон на узбекском языке: таблицы букв первой редакции 1993 года и редакции 1995 года с кириллическими соответствиями и названиями букв (Lex.uz)
- Закон № 71-I от 6 мая 1995 года о внесении изменений в закон об узбекском алфавите: «26 букв и 3 буквосочетания» вместо «31 буквы и апострофа», буквы C и Ĵ исключены, Ş и Ç заменены на Sh и Ch; в силе с 17 июня 1995 года (Lex.uz, текст на узбекском языке)
- Постановление Верховного Совета № 932-XII от 2 сентября 1993 года о порядке введения в действие закона об алфавите, пункт 2: полный переход к 1 сентября 2000 года, в редакции 1995 года — к 1 сентября 2005 года, в редакции закона № 621-II от 30 апреля 2004 года — к 1 сентября 2010 года (Lex.uz, русский текст, прежние редакции — по ссылкам на странице)
- Постановление Кабинета Министров № 339 от 24 августа 1995 года «Об утверждении основных правил орфографии узбекского языка»: буква Y в словах yetti, yoz, yulduz, yaxshi, знак ʼ в словах eʼlon, sanʼat, sheʼr (Lex.uz, текст на узбекском языке)
- Постановление Кабинета Министров № 61 от 10 февраля 2021 года о мерах по поэтапному полному переходу на узбекский алфавит на латинице, принятое во исполнение указа ПФ-6084 от 20 октября 2020 года: «дорожная карта», пункт 21 — делопроизводство всех организаций на латинице с 1 января 2023 года (Lex.uz, текст на узбекском языке)
- Руководитель Администрации президента Саида Мирзиёева, Telegram, 21 октября 2026 года: закон подписан в День узбекского языка, действующие документы, национальная валюта и ценные бумаги сохраняют силу, учебники, вывески и указатели заменят поэтапно; инициатива 11 декабря 2023 года (на узбекском и русском языках)
- Законодательная палата Олий Мажлиса, Telegram, 7 июля 2026 года: законопроект принят — 28 букв и 1 знак ʼ вместо 26 букв и 3 буквосочетаний, без одновременной замены документов, бланков, вывесок и указателей госорганов и организаций (на узбекском языке)
- Сенат Олий Мажлиса, Telegram, 21 октября 2026 года: президент подписал закон, одобренный на 19-м пленарном заседании Сената; сообщение набрано новыми буквами (на узбекском языке)
- Министерство образования и науки, Telegram, 24 октября 2026 года: на экзаменах национального сертификата по родному языку и литературе 24–26 октября — нынешний алфавит, потому что закон вступит в силу через шесть месяцев; сообщение набрано новыми буквами (на узбекском языке)
- Газета.uz, 7 июля 2026 года: вице-президент Академии наук Бахром Абдухалимов — почему меняют oʻ, gʻ, ch и sh, буквы в стандарте Юникод, новые правила орфографии после принятия закона, учебники, паспорта и деньги без досрочной замены
- Газета.uz, 7 июля 2026 года: закон принят в трёх чтениях, законопроект не публиковали для обсуждения, проект 2021 года с NG, проект рабочей группы сентября 2023 года (Õ, Ğ, Ş, C)
- Газета.uz, 21 октября 2026 года: закон вступит в силу 22 апреля 2027 года, Ng исключается, апостроф вместо твёрдого знака; в стране используются и кириллица, и латиница
- Kun.uz, 10 сентября 2026 года: Сенат одобрил закон, Ng исключается как самостоятельная буква, апостроф выполняет роль твёрдого знака
- Kun.uz, 12 сентября 2026 года: заместитель министра дошкольного и школьного образования Азизбек Турдиев в Сенате 10 сентября — учебники на новом алфавите с 2027 года, начиная с первого класса, полностью к 2031 году; экзамены по новому алфавиту после вступления закона в силу
- Spot.uz, 10 сентября 2026 года: руководитель Департамента развития государственного языка при Кабинете министров в Сенате — Ö, Ğ, Ş и Ç на свободных клавишах, программы-конвертеры, новый алфавит в госорганах, делопроизводстве и СМИ после вступления закона в силу, в личной переписке — привычный (на узбекском языке)
- Газета.uz, 6 ноября 2018 года: проект рабочей группы при Ташкентском университете узбекского языка и литературы — ç, ş, ŏ, ğ, сочетание ng оставлено
- Газета.uz, 22 мая 2019 года: «окончательный» проект — ş, ç, ó, ǵ, возвращена буква c, без ng, 29 букв и апостроф
- Газета.uz, 16 марта 2021 года: проект закона Академии наук — 28 букв, буквосочетание ng и апостроф, ş, ç, ŏ, ğ
- Газета.uz, 11 мая 2021 года: обсуждение проекта продлено до 1 ноября 2021 года (Департамент по развитию государственного языка)