Preeti Keyboard Layout — Legacy Nepali Typing Map
प्रीति किबोर्ड लेआउट
The Preeti keyboard layout is a 1990s-era fixed mapping that places Devanagari glyphs directly on the ASCII letter keys of a QWERTY keyboard. Trained typists can produce one glyph per keystroke, making Preeti the fastest layout for experienced DTP and government typists.
What does the Preeti layout look like?
Each English letter key produces a Devanagari glyph — for example 'k' produces क, 's' produces स, 'h' produces ह. Capital letters produce aspirated or shifted forms. Matras and conjuncts are placed on shifted and number-row keys. TypeNepal's keyboard map shows every key.
Who still uses Preeti today?
Government offices, Loksewa typing exams, traditional newspapers and DTP studios that rely on legacy archives still use Preeti for compatibility. Once typed, Preeti text can be converted to Unicode for the web, so Preeti remains useful for fast input even when the final output is Unicode.
How long does it take to learn Preeti?
Most learners reach a usable 15–20 WPM in two to three weeks of daily practice. Reaching exam-grade speeds of 35+ WPM with high accuracy typically takes a few months. Use TypeNepal's Typing Practice and Typing Test tools to track progress.
Can I use the Preeti layout inside the Easy Typing tool?
Yes. Inside Easy Typing switch the input mode from Romanized to Preeti. Your keyboard keys then produce Preeti-mapped glyphs directly. Output can stay in Preeti for legacy workflows or be converted to Unicode on the fly.