Free Kundli Matching for Marriage
Check marriage compatibility the Vedic way. Enter both partners' birth details and get an instant Gun Milan score out of 36 across all eight gunas, with Manglik, Nadi and Bhakoot dosha checks.
How Kundli matching (Gun Milan) works
Gun Milan (also called Ashtakoot Gun Milan or Kundli Milan) is the traditional Vedic method of comparing a prospective bride's and groom's birth charts to gauge their natural compatibility for marriage. It looks chiefly at the position of the Moon, its sign (rashi) and its nakshatra in each chart, weighing eight factors known as the eight kootas. Each koota carries a fixed weight, and together they add up to a maximum of 36 points (guna), giving a single compatibility score alongside a fuller reading of the couple's strengths and areas to nurture.
- Note each person's exact birth details and find their Moon sign (rashi) and birth nakshatra, since the Moon governs the mind, emotions and temperament that Gun Milan measures.
- Score the eight kootas in turn, each reflecting a different aspect of married life: Varna (1 point, temperament and ego), Vashya (2, mutual influence), Tara (3, health and well-being), Yoni (4, physical and intimate compatibility), Graha Maitri (5, mental and emotional rapport), Gana (6, nature and disposition), Bhakoot (7, love, family and prosperity) and Nadi (8, health and progeny).
- Add the eight koota scores to arrive at a total out of 36; broadly, a higher total indicates an easier natural fit between the two charts.
- Examine doshas, especially Bhakoot and Nadi, and apply the recognised cancellations (parihar), many doshas are nullified by other placements, so a low koota score does not automatically mean incompatibility.
- Read the verdict in the round, treating the number as guidance on tendencies rather than a fixed destiny, and consider the wider chart and the couple's own understanding alongside it.
The 8 Gunas of Ashtakoot (36 points)
Each guna (koota) weighs a different part of married life. Together they total 36.
Varna assesses compatibility of work nature, ego and spiritual development, grouping each person into one of four categories (Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, Shudra) derived from their Moon sign. The single point is awarded when the groom's Varna is equal to or higher than the bride's, reflecting an older convention about ego balance rather than any social judgement. It carries the least weight of the eight kootas, and a low Varna score on its own is rarely treated as a serious obstacle.
Vashya measures mutual attraction, influence and the natural give-and-take of control between partners, asking how readily each is drawn to and able to harmonise with the other. Each Moon sign belongs to one of five Vashya groups (such as human, quadruped, water-dwelling, wild and insect types), and points up to 2 are scored from how those groups relate. A good score suggests an easy, magnetic pull between the two, while a weak one simply points to working a little harder at mutual accommodation.
Tara, sometimes called Dina, gauges shared destiny, health and overall wellbeing by counting the birth nakshatras of each person from the other's and dividing the count by nine. The resulting Tara is judged auspicious or inauspicious, and points up to 3 are awarded when both counts fall in favourable positions, indicating a couple whose fortunes and vitality support each other. It matters because it speaks to the longevity and good luck of the union, though an unfavourable Tara can often be softened by other strong kootas.
Yoni examines physical and intimate compatibility, including sexual harmony and instinctive temperament, by assigning each birth nakshatra one of fourteen animal symbols. Points up to 4 are scored by comparing the two animal Yonis: identical or friendly pairings score highest, neutral ones moderately, and natural enemy pairings the lowest. It matters for the bodily and affectionate closeness of married life, while reminding us that conscious care and respect can ease even a low Yoni match.
Graha Maitri, also called Maitri or Rashi Lord friendship, weighs the mental, intellectual and psychological bond between partners through the planetary lords of their two Moon signs. Points up to 5 are awarded according to whether those ruling planets are mutual friends, neutral, or enemies in Vedic planetary relationships, with full marks for genuine friendship both ways. This koota matters greatly for understanding, shared values and lasting affection, since it reflects how naturally two minds meet.
Gana assesses temperament and basic nature, sorting each birth nakshatra into one of three Ganas: Deva (gentle and divine), Manushya (human and balanced), or Rakshasa (assertive and intense). Points up to 6 are given based on the pairing, with the same Gana scoring fully and a Deva-Rakshasa mix scoring the least because their outlooks differ most. It matters for day-to-day harmony of disposition, and several classical Gana mismatches carry recognised parihar (cancellation) conditions that reduce the concern.
Bhakoot, also known as Rashi Koota, measures the emotional bond, family harmony and financial and physical welfare of the couple, judged from the distance between their two Moon signs. Points are either the full 7 or zero: certain Moon-sign distances (notably the 6/8, 5/9 and 2/12 relationships) form a Bhakoot dosha and score nothing, while all others score fully. Although it weighs heavily, this dosha is frequently cancelled (parihar) when, for example, the Moon-sign lords are friends or are the same planet, so a zero here need not be read fatalistically.
Nadi carries the highest weight and concerns health, constitution, genetic compatibility and the wellbeing of children, classifying each birth nakshatra into one of three Nadis: Aadi (Vata), Madhya (Pitta) or Antya (Kapha). The full 8 points are given when the two Nadis differ; sharing the same Nadi forms Nadi dosha and scores zero, traditionally associated with concerns about progeny and vitality. Even so, classical texts list several parihar conditions, such as the same Moon sign with different nakshatras or the same nakshatra with different padas, that are held to cancel the dosha.
What is a good score out of 36?
A very strong natural alignment between the two charts, suggesting an easy emotional rapport, shared values and a temperament that tends to complement rather than clash. Such matches are traditionally regarded as highly favourable, though the couple still grows the relationship through care and effort.
A warmly compatible match with most of the eight factors in harmony and only minor areas to be mindful of. The couple is likely to find understanding and mutual support comes fairly naturally.
A sound and workable level of compatibility that is widely considered acceptable for marriage. Some kootas may score lower than others, but these point to ordinary differences in temperament or habit that mutual respect and communication can readily smooth.
A modest score indicating that a few important factors need attention, so it is worth examining which kootas fell short and whether any doshas apply. A careful chart review, including possible cancellations, often gives a clearer and more reassuring picture than the number alone.
A low total suggests several areas of difference that deserve thoughtful guidance before proceeding, and it is best read as a prompt for deeper analysis rather than a verdict against the union. An experienced astrologer can assess dosha cancellations (parihar) and the wider charts, and many couples below this threshold marry happily once the full picture is understood.
Manglik, Nadi & Bhakoot dosha
Mangal Dosha (Manglik)
Mangal Dosha, often called being Manglik, arises when Mars sits in the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 7th, 8th or 12th house from the Lagna (and, in many traditions, also reckoned from the Moon and from Venus). Because Mars carries fiery energy and these houses touch self, speech, home, partnership, longevity and bed, the dosha is traditionally read as a tendency towards friction or impatience in married life rather than a verdict against marriage. Several well-known cancellations (parihar) routinely soften or neutralise it: when both partners are Manglik the effect is widely held to offset; when Mars sits in its own or exalted sign (Aries, Scorpio or Capricorn); when Mars is aspected by or conjunct benefics like Jupiter; and in certain signs and after a particular age the strength is considered to fade. A single Manglik placement very rarely rules out a match on its own.
Nadi Dosha
Nadi is the koota carrying the most points (8 of 36), and Nadi Dosha occurs when both partners share the same Nadi (Aadi, Madhya or Antya), so this koota scores 0/8. It is taken seriously because Nadi is linked in tradition to constitution, vitality and progeny, which is why families weigh it carefully. That said, the texts recognise several common parihar: when the partners belong to the same Nadi but different nakshatras, or to different padas of the same nakshatra; when their Rashi differs while the Nadi matches; and when other strong factors in the charts compensate. Because of these recognised exceptions, a shared Nadi alone is generally treated as something to examine thoughtfully, not an automatic bar to marriage.
Bhakoot Dosha
Bhakoot (also called Rashi koota) compares the two Moon signs and scores 0 of 7 when they fall on certain inauspicious axes: 2/12 (dwirdwadasha), 5/9 (navam-pancham) or 6/8 (shadashtaka). It is associated in tradition with the flow of harmony, prosperity, health and family wellbeing over the long term, so a 0/7 invites a closer look rather than alarm. The classical parihar are well established: Bhakoot dosha is widely held to be cancelled when the lords of the two Moon signs are friends or are the same planet, and when the Nadi koota is well matched the Bhakoot affliction is considered substantially relieved. As with the others, this dosha on its own seldom decides a marriage and is read alongside the whole chart.
Kundli matching, frequently asked questions
What is a good Gun Milan score out of 36?
In the Ashtakoot system, the eight gunas add up to a maximum of 36 points, and a score of 18 or above is generally considered acceptable for marriage. Scores between 24 and 32 are regarded as very good, while a match below 18 is usually advised against on points alone, though an astrologer will still weigh other chart factors before drawing any conclusion.
Can Kundli matching be done by name and date of birth alone?
Proper Ashtakoot matching is based on each person's Moon nakshatra, which is calculated from the exact date, time and place of birth, not from the name. A name-based janam akshar match is a simplified folk method, so for an accurate Gun Milan you ideally need full birth details for both partners.
Is the Moon sign or the Sun sign used in Kundli matching?
Vedic matching uses the Moon sign (Rashi) and the Moon's nakshatra, since the Moon governs the mind and emotions in this tradition. The Sun sign, which is central to Western astrology, is not the basis for the Ashtakoot 36-point calculation. This is why two people can feel quite different in temperament even when their Sun signs are the same — in Gun Milan it is the Moon's placement that the kootas actually compare.
What is Nadi dosha and how serious is it?
Nadi is the highest-weighted koota at 8 points, and Nadi dosha occurs when both partners share the same Nadi (Aadi, Madhya or Antya), which is traditionally linked to concerns about health and progeny. It is taken seriously, but it commonly has cancellations (parihar), for example when the couple share the same Rashi but different nakshatras, or the same nakshatra with different padas.
What is Bhakoot dosha?
Bhakoot carries 7 points and assesses the relationship between the two Moon signs; certain placements such as 6-8, 2-12 or 9-5 between the signs score zero and are termed Bhakoot dosha, associated with tendencies around finances, health or family harmony. As with other doshas, a Graha Maitri (planetary friendship) agreement between the lords often acts as a cancellation that softens its effect.
What does Manglik mean, and is it part of the 36-point score?
A person is called Manglik when Mars sits in certain houses (commonly the 1st, 4th, 7th, 8th or 12th) from the ascendant, Moon or Venus, a tendency linked to friction or delay in marriage. Manglik dosha is assessed separately from the Ashtakoot 36 points, and it is often balanced when both partners are Manglik or when other planetary placements offer relief.
Can a couple with a low Gun Milan score still marry?
Yes; a low score signals areas of tendency to examine rather than a fixed verdict, and many couples with modest points marry happily, especially where doshas have valid cancellations. A careful astrologer looks beyond the number to the full charts, the dasha periods and the strength of the seventh house before advising, so the score is one input, not a final judgement.
Does a high Gun Milan score guarantee a happy marriage?
No; a high score reflects favourable compatibility tendencies across the eight gunas, but it cannot guarantee a happy marriage on its own. Lasting harmony also rests on communication, shared values, family circumstances and the broader chart factors, so the points are best read as guidance rather than a promise.
What are the eight gunas measured in Ashtakoot matching?
The eight kootas and their maximum points are Varna 1, Vashya 2, Tara 3, Yoni 4, Graha Maitri 5, Gana 6, Bhakoot 7 and Nadi 8, totalling 36. Each one weighs a different facet of compatibility, from temperament and mutual attraction to mental rapport, health and progeny.