How to Type in Hindi (Devanagari) on Windows, Mac and Phones
Quick answer: the easiest way to type Hindi is a phonetic keyboard: type the sound in English letters (namaste) and get Devanagari (नमस्ते). Gboard on phones, the input tools in Google Docs and the phonetic Hindi keyboard in recent Windows versions all work this way. Regular typists use the standard InScript layout. The rupee sign ₹ is Right Alt+4 on the Windows English (India) keyboard.
Quick reference: every method
Every Alt code below is verified against the real Windows code pages — where none exists we say so, rather than list one that won’t work.
| Char | Name | Windows | Mac | HTML | Word (Alt+X) | Unicode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ₹ | Indian Rupee Sign | Copy / paste | Copy / paste | ₹ |
20B9 + Alt+X |
U+20B9 |
Option 1: phonetic (transliteration) typing
- Phones (Gboard): Gboard settings → Languages → Add keyboard → Hindi → choose the transliteration layout (the one that types in English letters). Type
dhanyavaadand pick धन्यवाद from the suggestions. - Google Docs: set File → Language → Hindi; an input tools button appears in the toolbar, with transliteration, InScript and handwriting.
- Windows 10/11: add Hindi under Settings → Time & language → Language & region; in its keyboard options, recent versions include a Hindi Phonetic keyboard alongside the traditional layout.
Phonetic typing guesses spelling, so check the suggestions: ki can be कि or की, and the list shows both.
Option 2: InScript (standard layout)
InScript is the official Indian layout and is the same for all Devanagari languages. On Windows it is called Hindi Traditional or Devanagari - INSCRIPT; on a Mac, choose Devanagari (or Devanagari – QWERTY for a phonetic-style mapping).
- Vowel signs are on the left hand (D = ्, the halant/virama; F = ि, E = ा ...), consonants on the right (K = क, L = त, J = र ...).
- Conjuncts are made with the halant: क + ् + ष = क्ष.
- It is fast once learned and doesn't depend on spelling guesses.
Option 3: handwriting and voice
Phone keyboards and Google Docs input tools accept handwriting, and voice typing in Hindi works on most phones (Android voice typing).
Symbols used with Hindi
| Symbol | Name | How to type |
|---|---|---|
| ₹ | Indian rupee sign | Right Alt + 4 (English India keyboard), Word: 20B9 then Alt+X |
| । | danda (full stop) | Hindi keyboards have a key for it; Word: 0964 then Alt+X |
| ॥ | double danda | Word: 0965 then Alt+X |
| ॐ | Om | Word: 0950 then Alt+X, or phonetic "om" in many tools |
More about the rupee sign: how to type the rupee symbol. Religious signs: religious symbols.
Troubleshooting
- Letters appear but don't join properly: the font or app lacks Devanagari shaping; try another font such as Mangal or Nirmala UI on Windows.
- Boxes: no Devanagari font installed (fix).
See the overview how to type in other languages.
Frequently asked questions
How can I type Hindi with an English keyboard?
Use a phonetic (transliteration) keyboard: you type the sound in English letters, such as namaste, and it writes नमस्ते. Gboard, Google Docs input tools and recent Windows versions offer this.
What is the InScript keyboard?
InScript is the standard Indian keyboard layout for Devanagari. Vowels are on the left side and consonants on the right, and it is the same for Hindi, Marathi and other Devanagari languages.
How do I type the rupee sign ₹ in Hindi documents?
With the English (India) keyboard on Windows, press Right Alt + 4. In Word you can also type 20B9 and press Alt + X.
Looking for something else? Browse 1,000+ copy-paste symbols, the full Alt Codes finder, or the emoji picker.