Difference Between Mangal and Kruti Dev

If you work with Hindi text, you’re likely familiar with the Mangal and Kruti Dev fonts. Though both are used for Hindi typing, they are fundamentally different in several ways, especially in terms of compatibility, use cases, and encoding systems.

In this article, we’ll break down the key differences between Mangal (Unicode) and Kruti Dev (Legacy) fonts to help you understand when to use each one.

1. Encoding Type: Unicode vs. Legacy

Mangal (Unicode)

  • Mangal is a Unicode font, which means it follows a global encoding standard that ensures consistent text representation across different platforms and devices.

  • Unicode encoding allows Mangal to be used on modern applications such as websites, mobile apps, and word processors like Google Docs, MS Word, etc.

  • It supports multilingual text input and cross-platform compatibility.

Kruti Dev (Legacy)

  • Kruti Dev, on the other hand, is a legacy font that uses a proprietary encoding system. This means it’s not based on Unicode and is only compatible with older systems and software.

  • Kruti Dev was primarily used in typing exams and government forms in India. It works best on legacy software, such as PageMaker and older versions of Microsoft Word.

2. Font Compatibility

Mangal

  • Highly Compatible: Mangal is widely accepted on modern digital platforms because it follows the Unicode standard.

  • It works on all operating systems (Windows, macOS, Linux), web browsers, and mobile devices.

  • Mangal is the preferred choice for most digital content creation, websites, and modern document formats.

Kruti Dev

  • Limited Compatibility: Kruti Dev, being a legacy font, is not universally compatible. It only works with older applications that do not support Unicode.

  • Web and Mobile Compatibility: It does not work on websites or mobile apps unless the application has been specifically configured to support the Kruti Dev encoding.

  • Government and Exam Usage: Kruti Dev is still used in typing exams and government documents in India.

3. Typing and Input Method

Mangal

  • Input Tools: Mangal is often typed using Unicode typing tools like Google Input Tools and MS Word’s Hindi keyboard.

  • Typing Method: Mangal supports the Phonetic and Inscript typing methods, making it easier to type in Hindi using the standard QWERTY keyboard layout.

Kruti Dev

  • Input Tools: Kruti Dev was traditionally typed using Inscript, Remington, or Typewriter keyboards.

  • Typing Method: It uses a different layout from Mangal, which is why it is incompatible with modern digital typing tools.

4. Font Appearance

Mangal

  • Mangal follows the Devanagari script and is designed to be used in modern digital formats. It has a clean, consistent appearance that’s easy to read on digital platforms.

Kruti Dev

  • Kruti Dev has a traditional DTP (Desktop Publishing) style and is designed to mimic typewriter-style fonts. It looks more stiff and blocky compared to the smooth and flowing appearance of Mangal.

5. Usage and Applications

Mangal

  • Web Content: Mangal is used for web pages, online articles, blogs, and any digital content.

  • Documents: Ideal for MS Word, Google Docs, and any modern word processing applications.

  • Social Media: Mangal is widely used in social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for Hindi typing.

Kruti Dev

  • Typing Exams: Kruti Dev is still widely used in Hindi typing exams (e.g., SSC, UPPSC) and government forms.

  • DTP Work: It is commonly used for Desktop Publishing (DTP) work, such as designing brochures, advertisements, and posters in Hindi.

  • Legacy Documents: Older Hindi documents and official papers may still use Kruti Dev for consistency with legacy systems.

6. Conversion Between Mangal and Kruti Dev

If you need to convert between Mangal and Kruti Dev fonts, don’t worry! At MangalToKruti.com, we offer free online converters to help you switch easily between the two fonts.

Steps for Conversion:

  1. Go to the Converter Tool: Visit the Mangal to Kruti Converter.

  2. Paste your text in Mangal (Unicode) or Kruti Dev.

  3. Click Convert to switch between fonts.

  4. Copy the converted text and paste it into your document.

📈 Summary – Mangal vs Kruti Dev
Feature Mangal (Unicode) Kruti Dev (Legacy)
Encoding Unicode Proprietary (Legacy)
Compatibility Modern systems, web, mobile Limited to older systems
Font Appearance Clean, readable, modern Typewriter-like, blocky
Usage Digital content, websites, apps Typing exams, government forms
Input Tools Phonetic, Inscript, Google Input Inscript, Typewriter, Remington

  • Use Mangal when working with digital content, websites, and modern word processors (Google Docs, MS Word) for Unicode compliance.

  • Use Kruti Dev when you need to work with government forms, typing exams, or older applications that require legacy fonts.

At MangalToKruti.com, we make it simple for you to convert between Mangal and Kruti Dev whenever needed.

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