Kundli Milan: the 36 gunas (Ashtakoot) explained
AstroVeds · Updated 12 November 2026
Kundli Milan, or horoscope matching, is the traditional way of checking compatibility before marriage in North India. The best-known part is the guna score out of 36, called Ashtakoot milan. This page explains where the 36 points come from, how to read the score and what else a careful match looks at.
The eight kootas and their points
Ashtakoot means 'eight parts'. Each part compares the bride's and groom's Moon nakshatra or Moon sign, and has a maximum score:
- Varna (1 point): spiritual temperament and ego.
- Vashya (2 points): mutual attraction and influence.
- Tara (3 points): health and fortune, from the nakshatra count.
- Yoni (4 points): physical and intimate compatibility.
- Graha Maitri (5 points): friendship between the Moon sign lords, i.e. mental wavelength.
- Gana (6 points): nature — Deva, Manushya or Rakshasa.
- Bhakoot (7 points): the relative position of the two Moon signs; affects love, family growth and finances.
- Nadi (8 points): health and progeny; the most heavily weighted koota.
What score is good?
The total is out of 36. The common reading is:
- Below 18: not recommended without a closer look.
- 18 to 24: average, acceptable.
- 25 to 32: good match.
- 33 to 36: excellent match.
Nadi dosha and Bhakoot dosha
When both partners have the same Nadi (Aadi, Madhya or Antya), Nadi gets 0 out of 8; this is Nadi dosha. When the two Moon signs are 2-12, 5-9 or 6-8 from each other, Bhakoot gets 0 out of 7; this is Bhakoot dosha. Both have exceptions — for example when the Moon sign lords are the same or friends — so a low koota is not the end of the discussion.
Beyond the score
The guna score only compares the two Moons. A sound match also looks at Mangal Dosha in both charts, the 7th house and its lord, Venus and Jupiter, and the dashas each person will be running after marriage. That is why a 30-point match can still need care and a 20-point match can work very well.
Try it yourself
Frequently asked questions
How many gunas should match for marriage?
At least 18 out of 36 is the usual minimum. Above 25 is considered a good match, provided Nadi, Bhakoot and Mangal Dosha are also checked.
Is Nadi dosha always a problem?
Not always. It is cancelled in several cases, for example when the couple have the same Moon sign but different nakshatras, or the same nakshatra in different padas.
Can I do Kundli matching by name only?
Name-based matching is a rough guide. For an accurate match you need both dates, times and places of birth, which our free matching tool uses.