The Urdu alphabet, or huruf-e-tahajji, is the lettering used for writing Urdu. It is written and read from the right to the left, unlike the Roman script which flows from left to right. The Urdu alphabet is a modification of the Persian alphabet, which is itself derived from the Arabic alphabet. The Urdu alphabet has about fourty distinct letters. There are no letter cases in this script and it is typically written in the an artistically calligraphic style using a flat tipped pen.

Much emphasis is laid on the artistic quality of Urdu glyphs. Sufis have long used this trait of calligraphy to celebrate and venerate their Maker. Poetic expressions of love and devotion are elevated in their value when inscribed with beauty and skill in calligraphic style.