Creating apps and websites for RTL (Right-to-Left) languages can be tricky for entrepreneurs who want to expand into Middle Eastern and North African markets. Unlike the usual left-to-right design, RTL requires careful UI/UX design services that respect cultural details and meet user expectations. If these challenges are not addressed, the result could be a confusing interface that turns users away, missing out on a large audience. How can you make sure your content is welcoming and effective for RTL users while keeping your brand strong? In this article, we explore those challenges, offering tips and solutions for RTL design.

The importance of RTL localization

Supporting RTL languages is crucial for reaching a global audience. Around 1 billion people use RTL languages, Arabic alone has over 370 million speakers and is a United Nations official language. Although most web content comes in left-to-right languages, RTL languages are still vital, especially in the Middle East and North Africa.

Languages like Arabic, Hebrew, and Urdu are written and read from right to left. In this case, localization is extremely important. According to the Arab Social Media Report, 70% of Arabic speakers prefer browsing the internet in Arabic.

Right-to-left design changes how user interfaces and layouts work to fit this reading direction. An Arabic website might look like a mirror image of a standard one, but it actually requires careful work to get things functioning correctly. It's not just about flipping text and layout. There are certain rules that designers need to follow and pay attention to some details.

How to design for the RTL world

Designing for RTL languages is not just about translating the text. The whole user interface, layout, text, and images should be in the right order, and navigation should be adapted to the RTL layout. You also need to consider details like text length, font size, and cultural differences, which can significantly change how your app looks. Whether you're looking for mobile or web app development, these tips will help you create a proper RTL interface:

Text direction

In RTL layouts, all text elements like paragraphs, headings, bullet points, and navigation elements align to the right. Numbers in ordered lists start from the right, with text moving left. Similarly, unordered lists have bullet points on the right.

If your interface includes both LTR and RTL text (bidirectional text), ensure it handles both directions smoothly. Each paragraph should follow the direction of its language, and any LTR text, like URLs, should remain in LTR format, even in an RTL setup.

Layout orientation

The layout is designed to reflect the RTL reading flow. Typical elements such as navigation bars, sidebars, and menus are positioned on the right side of the screen. Articles and main content should begin on the right and proceed to the left.

To keep a clear visual hierarchy, designers need to make sure important elements stand out within the mirrored layout. They use color, size, or space to highlight these components.

Icons and symbols

Icons that are symmetrical or don't suggest any specific direction don't need to be flipped in right-to-left design. However, icons that do show direction, like arrows, should be mirrored to suit an RTL format. This makes sure they remain appropriate and clear for users.

In RTL UI, the linear flow of time is reversed, but the circular motion of time isn't. Clocks still tick in a clockwise direction, even in RTL languages. Thus, any clock icons or circular refresh and progress indicators with arrows pointing clockwise should remain as they are, without mirroring.

A volume icon that features a slider on the right needs to be flipped. The slider should adjust from right to left, and the sound waves should originate from the right side.

Media playback buttons and the media progress bar shouldn't be flipped because they relate to the direction in which a tape plays, rather than the flow of time.

It's crucial to be mindful of cultural nuances and possible alternative meanings of the symbols used for UI components, especially if some icons might be seen as controversial or problematic in certain contexts.

Navigation

Progress indicators and breadcrumbs should display progress from right to left. For instance, in a breadcrumb navigation trail, the home page link will be on the far right, progressing to the specific page on the far left.

The order of items in navigation bars and tabs should be reversed compared to LTR layouts to match the RTL reading flow.

The overall visual flow should start at the top right corner and move towards the bottom left, guiding users naturally through the content.

Many websites use horizontal scrolling to show products or content. However, like the header and main content, this UI element must align with the page's directional flow. Thus, on an RTL webpage, the horizontal sidebar should scroll from right to left, introducing new items from the left side when a user clicks.

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Numerals

Numbers shouldn't be mirrored. For instance, 1998 should remain in the same order and not be rearranged as 8991.

However, languages like Bengali, Marathi, Nepali, and certain Arabic dialects use different numerical forms and need localization as well. They use Eastern Arabic numbers (٠ ١ ٢ ٣ ٤ ٥ ٦ ٧ ٨) instead of Western Arabic ones (0–9).

Fonts

RTL scripts differ significantly from LTR ones. Arabic letters, for instance, are more intricate, and keeping them the same size as English letters might make them harder to read. It's suggested to use Arabic typefaces that are 1-2 px larger than those of non-RTL languages, potentially increasing them by about three points. Furthermore, bold fonts should generally be avoided, and italics and capital letters are not commonly used in RTL languages. Unlike English texts, where date abbreviations are common, this practice is rare in RTL.

You need to make sure fonts and scripts display correctly, as many RTL languages include unique characters and diacritical marks that require clear representation. The comma can be different, for instance, in Arabic you should use the symbol “،”. To highlight the text, use overline instead of underlining.

Graphs and charts

Although it might seem intuitive to make charts right-to-left, many Arabic speakers are also at ease with left-to-right charts. Align text elements like labels, legends, and titles to the right. This applies to axis labels, data point labels, and other text associated with the chart. Position legends on the right side to maintain a smooth flow of visual elements. For charts with interactive features, ensure that tooltips, hover effects, and clickable parts are adjusted to fit seamlessly in an RTL mode.

Photos and illustrations

Avoid flipping images like photographs or graphic designs if doing so alters their meaning. If an image is closely tied to reading direction, consider creating a new version. For a series of images that narrate a story or show a sequence, arrange them from right to left.

You also need to avoid images and content that may be inappropriate in some cultures. If you're designing your website for an Arabic audience, using an image of a dog to represent loyalty might not resonate well, as dogs are often seen differently in Islamic cultures. Instead, opt for a more culturally neutral symbol of loyalty, like a pair of intertwined hands.

At Ronas IT, we can not only design and develop a custom RTL interface , we can also create proper illustrations to complement your platform.

Examples of successful RTL design

Apple's Arabic interface

Apple's Arabic website is designed well for right-to-left reading, making it easy for Arabic-speaking users to navigate. The website aligns text and layouts to the right, and the design considers cultural details and language needs. Icons and navigation are intuitive for Arabic users, ensuring a smooth and user-friendly experience.

Uber's Arabic website interface

Uber has successfully implemented UI design for its Arabic version of the website. They localized the website, taking cultural nuances into account and added language-specific features, improving the user experience.

YABA restaurant landing page

The YABA restaurant landing page is a great example of an RTL design in the restaurant industry. It uses a right-to-left layout that aligns with user expectations, ensuring smooth navigation and text flow. The page features an elegant UIUX design combining modern and cultural elements, creating a warm atmosphere that matches the restaurant's style. The navigation is simple and effective, giving easy access to the menu, chef's bio, location, and contact info without overwhelming the user.

Facebook's Hebrew version

Facebook's user interface for Hebrew is tailored to cater to RTL audiences. By mirroring layout elements such as menus and aligning text to the right, Facebook effectively adapts its platform to meet the needs of Hebrew speakers. This careful RTL direction of the interface ensures that users can navigate and interact with the platform naturally, without compromising on usability or functionality.

Careem app Arabic version

Careem is a popular ride-hailing app operating across the MENA countries and South Asia. It offers services ranging from ride bookings to food delivery. The app is tailored for Arabic-speaking users by implementing RTL design, ensuring that text, content, navigation, and interactive elements are right-aligned and intuitive for native Arabic speakers.

Is designing for RTL more expensive than for LTR?

Designing for RTL languages can be more costly than for LTR languages. The additional expenses come from adjusting the design to fit RTL layouts. This includes flipping layouts and ensuring proper text alignment, which requires extra effort from the design team. Designers also need to test the interface to ensure everything works smoothly. If you wish to provide your app in multiple languages, like English and Arabic, initial costs may rise, since designers would need to create 2 different layouts.

However, this investment can open access to larger markets, including regions in the MENA countries, increasing potential revenue. Although startup costs are higher, serving both LTR and RTL users can provide a competitive edge, leading to long-term benefits and broader market reach.

You can contact us for a UI/UX audit of your current design or schedule a free consultation on RTL adaptation. Further, we can work together to create an RTL interface and develop it.

RTL app development

At Ronas IT, we know that developing apps and websites for RTL languages comes with its own set of challenges. One key task is managing text direction, making sure the app can easily switch between RTL and LTR layouts. Developers also need to verify that their frameworks and libraries support RTL languages well. Proper handling of user inputs in RTL languages is also crucial for maintaining a smooth experience.

We address these challenges by choosing the right tools. We often use React Native for mobile development and Next.js for web development. Both frameworks offer robust RTL support, which makes the process more efficient. React Native, with its built-in RTL capabilities and Flexbox layout, allows us to adjust interfaces smoothly, while community libraries like react-native-localize make localization simpler. Next.js provides features like automatic static optimization and i18n routing, making it easier to manage dynamic RTL content across pages.

There are other frameworks and libraries that we can use depending on the project's needs:

• Material-UI (MUI): This popular React UI framework provides RTL support, enabling us to create RTL-compatible interfaces with its design components easily. MUI ensures that all components adapt when the direction is set to RTL.
• Vue-i18n: For Vue.js applications, vue-i18n provides tools for handling translations and integrates easily to support RTL languages, helping maintain flexibility and control over content direction.
• Angular localization: Angular has built-in support for internationalization, allowing us to specify text direction and adjust layouts accordingly. Libraries like @ngx-translate/core can be used for translation and global direction management.
• React internationalization (i18n) library: This library provides support for internationalization in React applications, including RTL layout adjustments. Libraries like react-i18next can help with translation and directionality changes.
• CSS logical properties: While not a library, CSS logical properties allow us to create styles that adapt based on the writing mode. This approach can handle padding, margin, and text alignment changes without having to redefine styles for RTL.

Beyond development, we offer post-launch support that covers every aspect of the process. This includes a cultural risk audit to ensure that your app or website respects local customs and sensitivities.

Wrapping up

Expanding into the MENA market requires more than just translating content; it demands a deep understanding of RTL design intricacies. RTL design involves more than mirroring text and layout — it's about aligning the interface with cultural and language nuances. Development requires managing text direction and using proper frameworks to ensure smooth and user-friendly experiences for mobile and web platforms. For entrepreneurs, the investment in catering to RTL readers can be significant, but the potential access to a vast audience makes it worthwhile. Successfully engaging with the Middle Eastern and North African markets not only boosts your market reach but also demonstrates your commitment to inclusivity and user-centric design. With the right approach, RTL design can provide a competitive advantage that leads to sustainable growth and success in these dynamic regions.