IPA Distinctive Features Chart Instructions
The IPA Chart is designed to work in three different ways.
1) Select a set of phonemes:
Check the boxes to the left of the phonemes you wish to see in their own chart. After selecting a set of phonemes press 'Submit.' When viewing a selected set, you may narrow down your selection by unchecking the boxes of the shown phonemes and pushing 'Submit' again. Selecting a set of phonemes is useful to compare the features between each phoneme.2) Select a set of feature types:
Check the boxes above the feature types to see only those features. After selecting the feature boxes press 'Submit.' This type of selection may be repeated. In addition, after choosing certain feature types, phonemes may be selected coresponding to a '+' feature and only the selected phonemes will be shown. Selecting a set of features is useful to eliminate other distracting features.3) Narrowing down your search:
You may select phonemes in a set and select feature types to see only those features within a set of phonemes. After checking the boxes press 'Submit.'Using the Restart Button:
The restart button will bring back all the phonemes in the master list.
This chart was created by Dainon Woudstra and could contain typographical errors. If you have any additions to the list please submit their features via email. If you do notice an error please notify me at
Legend for the Color Coding System of the Phonemes.
Non-Coronal Obstruents |
Coronal Obstruents |
Sonorant Consonants |
Glottalized and Aspirated Consonants |
Laryngeals |
Palatal Obstruents |
Affricates |
Vowels |
Glides |
Vowels with Tense Feature |