What is Vedic compatibility (Ashtakoota)?
Ashtakoota, also called Guna Milan, is the traditional Vedic astrology method for matching two people, still widely used in India before marriage. It compares the sign and nakshatra of each person's Moon at birth across eight areas, from temperament and attraction to intimacy, communication and family life, for a total out of 36. Traditionally 18 or more is considered acceptable. Because it looks only at the Moon, it's one lens on how two people relate emotionally, not a verdict on whether a relationship will work.
How the score is calculated
- 01Enter both people's birth date, time and city. We calculate each Moon's sidereal position (Lahiri ayanamsa) from an astronomical ephemeris to find the Moon sign and nakshatra.
- 02Following the traditional Ashtakoota rules, we compare the two Moon signs, the nakshatras, their animal symbols (Yoni), temperaments (Gana) and constitutions (Nadi), and score each of the eight areas.
- 03The eight scores add up to a total out of 36, and the Nadi and Bhakoot doshas that tradition singles out are flagged.
- 04The score, the breakdown and a short verdict are free. To see what it means for you, talk it through with an AI reader, who also looks at both people's ascendant, Venus and 7th house.
What each area measures
| Area | Max | What it looks at |
|---|---|---|
| Varna | 1 | Temperament and values |
| Vashya | 2 | Mutual attraction and influence |
| Tara | 3 | How your birth stars support each other |
| Yoni | 4 | Intimacy and instinctive needs |
| Graha Maitri | 5 | Friendship of your Moon-sign lords: ease of communication |
| Gana | 6 | Deva, human or rakshasa temperament |
| Bhakoot | 7 | Positions of your Moon signs: emotional and family life |
| Nadi | 8 | Constitution; traditionally linked to health and children |
Compatibility FAQ
What is a good compatibility score?
Traditionally 18 or more is acceptable, 25 or more is good and 33 or more is excellent. But the score is one traditional lens: it looks only at the Moon and can't decide whether a relationship succeeds. How you treat each other matters more.
Does Nadi dosha mean we shouldn't be together?
No. A zero in Nadi is singled out in tradition, but Vedic astrology itself has many exceptions and remedies, and it's one factor among many. We flag it gently and never conclude that two people can't be together.
Can we check compatibility without a birth time?
Yes. Compatibility uses only the Moon, so it's less affected than other tools. The Moon changes nakshatra about once a day, though, so without a birth time the nakshatra may be one of two and the score may be off by a few points; the page will say so.
Can same-gender couples use it?
Yes. The traditional method scores a man and a woman differently, so we score both directions and average them, and the page notes this.
How is it different from BaZi compatibility?
BaZi matching looks at each person's day master, favourable elements and zodiac animals; Vedic compatibility looks at the sign and nakshatra of each Moon. They're entirely different methods. To see how BaZi and Vedic astrology read you together, try our Vedic × BaZi fusion chart.