How to pronounce pi
Say it like PY. Pi is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce pi. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PY
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Pi pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in time.
American vs British pronunciation of pi
American and British speakers say pi in essentially the same way: /paɪ/ in the US and /paɪ/ in the UK.
British respelling: PY.
What does pi mean?
- the ratio of the circumference to the diameter of a circle; approximately equal to 3.14159265358979323846...
- someone who can be employed as a detective to collect information
- the scientist in charge of an experiment or research project
Words that rhyme with pi
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of pi.
Words that sound like pi
Questions about saying pi
How do you pronounce pi?
Say PY. The American pronunciation is /paɪ/. In British English it is /paɪ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in pi?
Pi is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: PY.
Do Americans and Brits say pi the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /paɪ/ and the British form is /paɪ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.
What words sound the same as pi?
Pi sounds the same as pie in American English. The spelling and meaning are what tell them apart.