RTL (Right-to-Left)

RTL refers to languages that read from right to left, like Arabic, Hebrew, Persian, and Urdu. Apps targeting RTL markets must mirror their entire UI layout, not just translate text.

RTL (Right-to-Left) is the writing direction used by Arabic, Hebrew, Persian, Urdu, and several other languages. For app store screenshots and UI design, RTL is not just about translating text. The entire layout must mirror: icons flip, text alignment swaps, scroll directions invert, and even arrow icons need to point the other way.

Why It Matters

Apps that translate RTL text but keep LTR layouts feel broken to native users. Conversion rates in Arabic-speaking markets drop sharply when the UI is not properly mirrored. Apple and Google both penalize listings that ship half-mirrored RTL.

Example

A fitness app translates "Start workout" to Arabic but keeps the play button on the right side of the screen with the text on the left. Native Arabic users perceive this as a translation hack and trust drops, hurting downloads in MENA.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which languages are RTL?

Arabic, Hebrew, Persian (Farsi), Urdu, Pashto, and several others. The most common in app localization are Arabic and Hebrew.

Do I need to mirror my entire app UI for RTL?

Yes. iOS and Android both expect mirrored layouts for RTL locales. Just translating text creates a half-localized experience that hurts conversion.

How do I preview RTL layouts without rebuilding the app?

Use our free RTL Screenshot Preview tool to mirror your screenshot layout and validate the result before commissioning translation.

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Related Terms

Text Expansion

Text expansion is the increase in character count when translating from one language to another. German is ~30% longer than English, while Japanese is often shorter but visually denser.

Locale Code

A locale code is a short identifier (like en-US, de-DE, ja) that tells the App Store or Google Play Console which market and language a piece of content belongs to. Apple and Google use slightly different formats.

ASO (App Store Optimization)

ASO is the process of optimizing an app store listing to rank higher in search and convert more downloads. It covers keywords, screenshots, ratings, and retention signals.

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