If you have ever wondered why two pieces of Arabic calligraphy look completely different, the answer is the script. Here are the main styles and how to recognise them.
Kufic
The oldest major style: angular, geometric and horizontal. Square Kufic, built on a grid, is popular in modern architecture and minimalist wall art.
Naskh
Clear, rounded and easy to read. Naskh is the style used in most printed Qurans and books today.
Thuluth
Large, elegant and full of sweeping curves and tall vertical letters. Thuluth is often used for mosque inscriptions and titles, and is a favourite for statement wall art.
Diwani
Developed in the Ottoman court, Diwani is highly decorative, with letters that flow and overlap closely. It looks beautiful as décor, though it can be harder to read.
Nasta‘liq
A graceful, sloping script developed in Persia and widely used for Persian and Urdu. Words seem to hang from right to left in a gentle diagonal.
Maghribi
The traditional script of North Africa and Andalusia, with rounded, generous curves and distinctive letter shapes.
Which style suits your home?
- Modern, minimalist interiors: Kufic or simple Thuluth compositions.
- Classic or majlis-style rooms: Thuluth and Diwani.
- Easy-to-read verses for children’s rooms or study areas: Naskh.
Bring calligraphy home: explore our Islamic calligraphy wall art, made in aluminium in Ras Al Khaimah and delivered across the UAE. Read our guides on calligraphy phrase meanings and where to hang Islamic wall art.
