---

title: Localization

slug: Glossary/Localization

page-type: glossary-definition

---

{{GlossarySidebar}}

**Localization** (l10n) is the process of adapting a software user interface to a specific culture.

The following are common factors to consider:

- language

- unit of measure (e.g., kilometers in Europe, miles in U.S.)

- text direction (e.g., European languages are left-to-right, Arabic right-to-left)

- capitalization in Latin script (e.g., English uses capitals for weekdays, Spanish uses lowercase)

- adaptation of idioms (e.g., "raining cats and dogs" makes no sense when translated literally)

- use of register (e.g., in Japanese respectful speech differs exceptionally from casual speech)

- number format (e.g., 10 000,00 in Germany vs. 10,000.00 in the U.S.)

- date format

- currency

- cultural references

- paper size

- color psychology

- compliance with local laws

- local holidays

- personal names

The complementary practice, of designing a system so it is easy to localize, is called {{glossary("Internationalization")}}.

## See also