Unicode vs Preeti: which should you use?
Use Unicode Nepali for almost everything: it displays correctly on every phone, computer and website. Use Preeti only when a document or form that already uses the Preeti font requires it.
![The word नेपाल stored as Unicode shows everywhere, while Preeti stores it as g]kfn](/images/guides/unicode-vs-preeti.svg)
The short answer
| Question | Unicode Nepali | Preeti |
|---|---|---|
| Displays correctly without installing a font | Yes, on current phones, computers and browsers | No, needs the Preeti font |
| Works on websites, email, chat and social media | Yes | No, shows as English letters |
| Searchable in Nepali | Yes | No |
| Copy and paste between programs | Keeps the Nepali | Breaks when the font changes |
| Needed for older forms and print templates | Sometimes not accepted | Yes, where the template uses Preeti |
What Unicode is
Unicode is the international standard that gives every letter of every script its own code. Devanagari, the script Nepali is written in, has its own range, so क is always क whatever font, device or program shows it. Fonts only change how the letters look.
What Preeti is
Preeti is an older Nepali font made before Unicode support was common. It places Nepali letter shapes on the keys of an English keyboard: typing g]kfn with the Preeti font set shows नेपाल. Underneath, the document still contains g]kfn. Change the font, open the file on a computer without Preeti, or paste the text into a website, and the English letters appear.
Kantipur, PCS Nepali and similar fonts work the same way with slightly different keys.
How to tell which one you have
- Change the font of a few words to a common font such as Arial. Unicode Nepali stays Nepali; Preeti turns into letters and symbols like
g]kfn. - Paste the text into the Preeti to Unicode converter. If the result reads correctly, the text was Preeti.
- Look at a phone. Preeti text sent in a message shows as English letters.
When to convert
- To Unicode: whenever text will be read on a screen, published online, searched, emailed or shared. Use Preeti to Unicode or Kantipur to Unicode.
- To Preeti: only when a form, a print template or a design file still requires the Preeti font. Use Unicode to Preeti and set the font of the pasted text to Preeti.
Typing new text
Type new text in Unicode from the start. The online Nepali keyboard offers Romanized typing, the Traditional layout and the Preeti layout, which keeps your Preeti typing habits but gives Unicode text.
Questions and answers
Is Preeti a Unicode font?
No. Preeti draws Nepali letter shapes on the keys of an English keyboard. The text is stored as English characters, so it only looks like Nepali where the Preeti font is set.
Why does my Nepali text turn into English letters?
The text was typed in Preeti or another legacy font, and the font is missing or was changed. Convert it to Unicode with the Preeti to Unicode converter, and it will display everywhere.
Will Google find my Nepali text if it is in Preeti?
Search engines read the stored characters, which for Preeti are English letters and symbols. Unicode Nepali is stored as Nepali, so people searching in Nepali can find it.
Can I print Unicode Nepali?
Yes. Unicode Nepali prints like any other text. Word processors and design programs on current systems support it.