Nepali Numbers ० to ९: How to Read, Type and Convert Them

Nepali uses its own set of digits, called Devanagari numerals. You'll find them on calendars, certificates, price tags, buses and government forms. This guide shows how to read them, say them, write big numbers the Nepali way and type them on any device.

The ten Nepali digits

Larger numbers are written exactly like English ones, digit by digit. 2083 becomes २०८३, and 15 becomes १५.

Digits that are easy to confuse

• १ (1) and ९ (9) look a little alike. ९ has a longer tail.
• ६ (6) and ७ (7). ६ looks like a curl with a hook; ७ has a sharp corner.
• ५ (5) is drawn slightly differently in Nepal and in India. Both shapes mean five.

Big numbers: lakh and crore

Nepali counts large numbers in groups of hundreds after the first thousand, not thousands. The comma placement changes too.

So "25 lakh" is 2,500,000, and "3 crore" is 30,000,000. Prices in Nepal, such as land and vehicles, are usually quoted in lakh and crore.

How to type Nepali numbers

With the online typing tool

In the Nepali typing tool, any English digit you type becomes a Nepali digit automatically. Type 2083 and you get २०८३. To keep an English number, put it in curly braces: {2083}.

On your phone

When the Nepali keyboard is active, the number row usually shows Nepali digits. On some keyboards, long-press a number key to choose between the English and Nepali digit.

On a computer

With a Nepali keyboard layout installed, the number keys type Nepali digits. Switch back to English (Windows + Space on Windows, Control + Space on Mac) to type English numbers.

In Preeti

Preeti is unusual: the plain number keys type Nepali letters (for example, 5 types छ), and Shift + number types the Nepali digits. So in Preeti, २०८३ is typed @)*#. The Unicode to Preeti converter handles this for you.

Days, dates and numbers together

Nepali dates are often written fully in Nepali digits: २०८३ कार्तिक १५ means Kartik 15, 2083 BS. The day of the month is called gate (गते), so people say "Kartik pandhra gate" for the 15th of Kartik.

To find the English date for any Nepali date, use the date converter. The Nepali calendar shows Nepali digits in large type with the English dates beside them.

Fractions people use every day

Nepali has special words for common fractions. You'll hear them at the market and in recipes.

Money and prices

Prices in Nepal use the rupee, written रु or रू before the number: रु ५०० is 500 rupees. In formal writing you'll also see रु. ५,००,०००, using lakh-style commas. To type a price in the typing tool, write ru 500 to get रु ५००. Avoid ru. 500, because the dot becomes a Nepali full stop and you'd get रु। ५००.

Quick practice

Try reading these, then check your answers below.

1. ४५
2. १२०
3. २,५०,०००
4. २०८३

Answers: 45, 120, 2,50,000 (two lakh fifty thousand) and 2083.