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Reference

Krutidev Alt Codes

Type special Krutidev characters using Alt+numpad codes. Hold Alt, type the number on the numeric keypad, release Alt.

Alt codes require a numeric keypad. On laptops without a numpad, activate the embedded numpad with Fn+Num Lock or use the Windows Character Map (charmap.exe).

Most Krutidev typing does not require Alt codes. The standard letter keys cover all consonants, vowels, and matras. Alt codes are needed in three specific situations:

  1. Devanagari numerals (०-९) - Government documents that require traditional number format instead of Arabic numerals (0-9). Common in court judgments and official circulars.
  2. Typographic symbols - Brackets, quotes, and special punctuation used in legal formatting. The standard keyboard maps these to Hindi characters, so you need Alt codes to type the actual symbols.
  3. Desktop publishing - DTP operators creating newspapers or books in Krutidev who need extended characters not available on the standard keyboard.

If you only need basic Hindi typing for letters, CPCT exams, or document conversion, you can skip this page entirely. Use the keyboard layout instead.

Quick Example

To type the Devanagari numeral ५ (5) in a Krutidev document:

  1. Place your cursor where you want the numeral
  2. Hold the Alt key
  3. Type 0171 on the numeric keypad
  4. Release Alt - the character appears

The number keys on the top row of the keyboard do not work for Alt codes. You must use the numeric keypad on the right side.

Alt CodeKrutidev CharProduces (Unicode)Name
Alt+0188¼(Left Parenthesis
Alt+0189½)Right Parenthesis
Alt+0190¾=Equals Sign
Alt+0191¿{Left Curly Brace
Alt+0192À}Right Curly Brace
Alt+0197ÅऊUu Vowel
Alt+0198Æर्ि (special)Reph + Chhoti I
Alt+0199Çइं matraI + Anusvara Matra
Alt+0200ÈींIi + Anusvara
Alt+0201Éर्इंReph + I + Anusvara
Alt+0202Êीर्Ii + Reph
Alt+0203Ëध्Dha Halant
Alt+0204Ìद्दDda Conjunct
Alt+0222Þ“Left Double Quote
Alt+0223ߔRight Double Quote
Alt+0179³ङNga
Alt+0165¥ञNya
Alt+0183·ऽAvagraha
Alt+0161¡ँChandrabindu
Alt+0244ôक्कKka Conjunct
Alt+0171«त्र्Tra Halant
Alt+0182फ्Pha Halant
Alt+0229å०Devanagari Zero
Alt+0131ƒ१Devanagari One
Alt+0132„२Devanagari Two
Alt+0133…३Devanagari Three
Alt+0134†४Devanagari Four
Alt+0135‡५Devanagari Five
Alt+0136ˆ६Devanagari Six
Alt+0137‰७Devanagari Seven
Alt+0138Š८Devanagari Eight
Alt+0139‹९Devanagari Nine

How to Use Alt Codes

Alt codes work on Windows with any font selected, but the character produced depends on the active font. With Krutidev 010 selected, Alt+0188 inserts "¼" which Krutidev renders as the opening parenthesis "(".

The process: position your cursor where you want the character, hold the Alt key down, type the numeric code on the numpad (include the leading zero), then release Alt. The character appears immediately.

For most daily Krutidev typing, you will never need Alt codes. The standard letter keys (a-z, A-Z) cover all consonants, vowels, matras, and common punctuation. Alt codes are useful for Devanagari numerals, brackets, and obscure symbols that appear in formal publications.

All CodesSpecial CharactersSymbolsKeyboard Layout

Frequently Asked Questions

How do Alt codes work in Krutidev?
Hold the Alt key, type the number on the NUMPAD (not the top row), then release Alt. The character appears at the cursor. Alt codes only work with the numeric keypad - laptop users without a numpad need to enable Num Lock via the Fn key or use an external USB numpad. Make sure the Krutidev font is selected before typing the Alt code.
Why do Alt codes not work on my laptop?
Most laptops lack a dedicated numpad. You need to activate the embedded numpad using Fn+Num Lock (the key varies by manufacturer - check for a small "NumLk" label, often on F11 or Delete). Once activated, keys like j=1, k=2, l=3 become numpad digits. Alternatively, use the Windows Character Map (charmap.exe) to find and copy the character.
Do I need Alt codes for regular Krutidev typing?
No. The 33 consonants, 11 vowels, and common matras all have direct keyboard keys. Alt codes are only needed for special characters like brackets ¼½, Devanagari numerals, and rarely-used symbols like avagraha (ऽ) and chandrabindu (ँ). A government typist doing daily work uses Alt codes less than 1% of the time.
Is there a difference between Alt+0188 and Alt+188?
Yes. Alt+0188 uses the Windows-1252 codepage and produces ¼. Alt+188 (without the leading zero) uses the OEM codepage and may produce a different character. For Krutidev, always use the four-digit form with the leading zero (Alt+0xxx) to ensure the correct character.