The Spanish alphabet lays the groundwork for pronunciation, spelling, and vocabulary, so it’s useful to learn each letter and its typical sound. This guide covers the standard letters and common names so you can follow along in class and dictionaries.
Overview
The Spanish alphabet has 27 letters, including the unique letter ñ. Each letter has a name used when spelling out words aloud.
Letters
Here are the letters of the Spanish alphabet with their typical names:
| Spanish Letter | Letter Name | Spanish Letter | Letter Name | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | a | N | ene | |
| B | be | Ñ | eñe | |
| C | ce | O | o | |
| D | de | P | pe | |
| E | e | Q | cu | |
| F | efe | R | ere | |
| G | ge | S | ese | |
| H | hache | T | te | |
| I | i | U | u | |
| J | jota | V | uve | |
| K | ka | W | uve doble | |
| L | ele | X | equis | |
| M | eme | Y | i griega | |
| Z | zeta |
Pronunciation
Most letters have a consistent sound, but some change depending on dialect or position. For example, c sounds like /k/ before a, o, u and like /θ/ or /s/ before e or i.
Special Letters
The letter ñ represents a distinct sound /ɲ/ as in niño and is considered a separate letter, not just an n with a mark.
Accents
Written accents (tildes) show which syllable is stressed and can change meaning; they are not part of the alphabet but are important for correct pronunciation and spelling.
Summary
Learn the names and typical sounds of each letter so you can spell aloud, use dictionaries, and pronounce new words; pay special attention to ñ and to how c, g, and others change sound based on context.
Last updated: Fri Oct 24, 2025