Blog · Keyboard layouts
Inscript vs Remington vs Phonetic: Which Hindi Keyboard Should You Learn?
Learn Inscript if you will type a lot or take a government typing test: it is the Indian standard, works in every Indian script and is built into Windows, Mac and Android. Choose phonetic typing for quick messages with no learning. Learn Remington only if your exam or office asks for it.
The three layouts at a glance
| Inscript | Remington (KrutiDev) | Phonetic | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How it works | One key for each Hindi letter, arranged by sound groups | Copies the old Hindi typewriter | Type the word in English letters, pick the Hindi word |
| Time to learn | 2–4 weeks of daily practice | Similar to Inscript | None |
| Speed when learned | Fast | Fast | Slower for long texts |
| Other Indian scripts | Same key positions for all | Hindi / Devanagari only | Depends on the tool |
| Exams and offices | Widely accepted (Mangal font) | Accepted by some exams | Not used in exams |
Inscript: the standard
Inscript is the Government of India standard keyboard for Indian scripts. Vowels and vowel signs are on the left half of the keyboard and consonants on the right, grouped by where the sound is made. Because the positions are the same for Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, Bengali, Tamil and the other Indian scripts, learning it once lets you type them all. It produces Unicode text, so what you type works on every device. Try it on the Hindi keyboard.
Remington: the typewriter layout
Remington copies the layout of the mechanical Hindi typewriter and is often called the KrutiDev layout, after the font that made it popular on computers. Many people who learned typing before Unicode still use it, and some government typing tests accept it alongside Inscript. If your exam names Remington (sometimes “Remington Gail” or “Remington CBI”), practise that layout in the typing tutor.
Phonetic: no layout to learn
Phonetic typing (also called transliteration) lets you write kaise ho and get कैसे हो. It is perfect for chats and short texts, and it needs no practice – but choosing words from suggestions is slower for long documents, and it is not allowed in typing exams. Try English to Hindi typing.
Our recommendation
- Students and job seekers preparing for a typing test: learn the layout named in your exam notice – usually Inscript.
- Office work and long documents: Inscript.
- WhatsApp, social media and occasional typing: phonetic.
Frequently asked questions
Is Inscript or Remington faster?
Both are fast once learned. Speed depends on practice, not on the layout.
Can I learn Inscript if I already know Remington?
Yes, but expect a few weeks of mixing them up. Practise only one layout at a time.
Does Inscript work for Marathi and other languages?
Yes. Inscript uses the same key positions for every Indian script.