# gt-next: General Translation Next.js SDK: useLocaleDirection
URL: https://generaltranslation.com/en-US/docs/next/api/helpers/use-locale-direction.mdx
---
title: useLocaleDirection
description: API reference for the useLocaleDirection hook
---
{/* AUTO-GENERATED: Do not edit directly. Edit the template in content/docs-templates/ instead. */}


## Overview

The `useLocaleDirection` hook retrieves the text direction (`'ltr'` or `'rtl'`) for the current or a specified locale from the [`<GTProvider>` context](/docs/next/api/components/gtprovider).

<Callout>
    `useLocaleDirection` is a client-side hook and *can only be used in client-side components*.
    Ensure your app is wrapped in a [`<GTProvider>`](/docs/next/api/components/gtprovider).
</Callout>

For server-side usage, see [`getLocaleDirection`](/docs/next/api/helpers/get-locale-direction).

## Reference

### Parameters

| Parameter | Type | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| `locale` | `string` (optional) | A BCP 47 locale code (e.g., `'ar'`, `'en-US'`). If omitted, the current locale from context is used. |

### Returns

`'ltr' | 'rtl'` — The text direction for the locale.

---

## Examples

### Get direction for the current locale

```jsx title="DirectionWrapper.jsx" copy
'use client';
import { useLocaleDirection } from 'gt-next';

export default function DirectionWrapper({ children }) {
  const dir = useLocaleDirection(); // [!code highlight]
  return <div dir={dir}>{children}</div>;
}
```

### Get direction for a specific locale

```jsx title="SpecificDirection.jsx" copy
'use client';
import { useLocaleDirection } from 'gt-next';

export default function SpecificDirection() {
  const dir = useLocaleDirection('ar'); // 'rtl' [!code highlight]
  return <p>Arabic text direction: {dir}</p>;
}
```

---

## Notes

- Unlike the server-side [`getLocaleDirection`](/docs/next/api/helpers/get-locale-direction), this hook is always synchronous.
- Useful for setting the `dir` attribute on elements for RTL support.

## Next steps

- Learn about RTL support in the [right-to-left guide](/docs/next/guides/rtl).
- See [`getLocaleDirection`](/docs/next/api/helpers/get-locale-direction) for the server-side equivalent.