English to Shorthand Converter Tool
Convert English text to Gregg, Pitman, Teeline, and Forkner shorthand systems instantly. Perfect for students, journalists, and professionals.
Go to FAQ SectionGregg shorthand is a system of phonography that was invented by John Robert Gregg in 1888. It uses cursive strokes and is based on elliptical figures and lines that bisect them.
Key features: Phonetic-based, cursive-style, uses light and heavy strokes, popular in the US and Latin America.
Pitman shorthand was developed by Sir Isaac Pitman in 1837. It uses thick and thin strokes to distinguish between similar sounds and is position-written (written relative to the line).
Key features: Phonetic-based, uses line position, distinguishes voiced/unvoiced consonants by stroke weight, popular in Commonwealth countries.
Teeline shorthand was developed in 1968 by James Hill. It's based on the alphabet and was designed to be easy to learn, using simplified forms of letters and omitting silent letters.
Key features: Alphabet-based, simplified letter forms, omits silent letters, popular among journalists in the UK.
Forkner shorthand was created by Hamden Forkner in 1952. It's an alphabetic shorthand that combines regular cursive writing with simplified forms for common letter combinations.
Key features: Alphabet-based, combines cursive with simplified forms, easier to learn than symbol systems, popular in North America.
Frequently Asked Questions
Shorthand is an abbreviated symbolic writing method that increases speed and brevity of writing compared to longhand. It's used for taking notes quickly, especially in situations where writing at the speed of speech is needed, such as in court reporting, journalism, or business meetings.
There's no single "best" system - it depends on your needs:
- Gregg is popular in the US and is phonetic-based
- Pitman is widely used in Commonwealth countries and uses thick/thin strokes
- Teeline is easier to learn and popular among journalists
- Forkner is alphabet-based and good for beginners
This converter provides a good approximation of each shorthand system, but professional shorthand includes many nuances that are difficult to automate:
- Position writing (in Pitman)
- Contextual abbreviations
- Personalized brief forms
- Phrasing (combining words)
For professional use, formal training in your chosen system is recommended.
Our tool includes a basic reverse conversion feature, but it has limitations:
- Works best with simple, clearly formatted shorthand
- May struggle with advanced abbreviations
- Accuracy depends on the complexity of the original shorthand
For reliable reverse conversion, human transcription is still the most accurate method.
Yes, shorthand remains valuable for several reasons:
- Faster than typing for many people (200+ wpm possible)
- Works without technology or electricity
- Useful for private notes (hard to read without training)
- Still required for some professions like court reporting
- Develops valuable concentration and listening skills
