HoraView is an interactive Vedic astrology chart viewer. Chart generation and all core features are completely free. AI-powered interpretations and chat use a token-based system. Below are answers to the most common questions. If you have a question not covered here, use the Contact page.
What is HoraView?
HoraView is a browser-based Vedic (Jyotish) astrology chart viewer. It draws North Indian style lagna charts, shows planetary dignities, dashas, yogas, divisional charts (vargas), transits, and KP sub-lord analysis — all without requiring any software installation.
Is it free?
Chart generation and all core features — dashas, yogas, vargas, transits, KP, panchang, saving, sharing — are completely free. No account or login required.
The AI-powered Interpret and Chat features include a free trial (1 interpretation and 3 chat messages). After that, you sign in with Google and purchase token packs to continue using these features. See the Pricing & Tokens section below for details.
Who made it?
HoraView was created by Nathan (Mahesh) Iyer, an engineer and Vedic astrology enthusiast. The project has been in development for several years and is continuously improved.
Special thanks to Sushmitha Thrilochana for her early contributions to the project, including the original cloud backend and payment infrastructure, and to Simon Chokoisky, a wonderful Jyotish teacher and friend whose teachings inspired this project.
Does HoraView support any charitable cause?
Yes. Proceeds from token purchases — after covering server, hosting, and API costs — are donated to Arsha Vidya Pitham, Saylorsburg, PA (Arsha Vidya Gurukulam) in Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania. Founded by Swami Dayananda Saraswati, it is a center for the traditional study of Vedanta, Sanskrit, meditation, and yoga. By using HoraView's AI features, you are helping support the preservation and teaching of Vedic knowledge.
What browsers are supported?
HoraView works on all modern browsers — Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge — on desktop and mobile. Chrome is recommended for the best experience.
Read our Beginner's Guide to Reading Your Vedic Chart — learn about the 12 houses, 9 planets, dashas, yogas, and how to interpret your birth chart in minutes.
Video Tutorials
Full Walkthrough — a complete tour of HoraView's features including chart generation, dashas, yogas, vargas, transits, and AI interpretation.
Quick Demo (1 min) — see HoraView in action in under a minute.
How do I generate a chart?
Fill in the Input panel on the right side:
What if I don't know the exact birth time?
You can still generate a chart with an approximate time. The house positions and ascendant will be less accurate, but planetary longitudes will be correct. If birth time is completely unknown, use noon (12:00) as a convention.
Can I save and reload a chart?
Yes — in several ways. The last chart you viewed is automatically remembered in your browser and restored on your next visit. For more control, HoraView has two features designed especially for mobile users:
Can I save the chart as an image?
Yes. Use File → Capture Chart Image to download the chart canvas as a high-resolution PNG file.
| Where | Action | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 📱 Mobile — navbar | Tap Share button (left of ☰) | Native OS share sheet — WhatsApp, iMessage, Telegram, X, and more |
| 📱 Mobile — Input tab | Tap Share Link in Saved Charts panel | Copies chart URL to clipboard |
| 🖥️ Desktop — Input tab | Click Share Link in Saved Charts panel | Copies chart URL to clipboard + confirmation toast |
| 🖥️ Desktop — menu bar | File → Share Chart Link | Copies chart URL to clipboard + confirmation toast |
| 🔁 Fallback (any) | Share not supported by browser | A dialog appears — select all and copy the link manually |
How do I save a chart so I can come back to it later?
In the Input tab, scroll to the Saved Charts panel (just below the Update Chart button). Tap Save — the chart is stored under the person's name. The next time you open HoraView on the same device and browser, it will appear in the list ready to load.
How do I load a saved chart?
Open the Saved Charts panel in the Input tab. You will see a list of all charts you have saved. Tap the name to load that chart — the chart redraws instantly.
How do I delete a saved chart slot?
In the Saved Charts panel, tap the ✕ button on the right side of the slot you want to remove. The slot is deleted immediately from your device's local storage.
How do I share a chart with someone on another device?
Tap Share Link in the Saved Charts panel (or use File → Share Chart Link in the menu bar). HoraView generates a URL that contains the full chart — name, birth date/time, location coordinates, ayanamsa, and all planet degrees. Copy the link and send it by message, email, or any app.
Does the share link work across different devices and browsers?
Yes. The link encodes all chart data in the URL itself, so it works on any device that can open HoraView — phone, tablet, or desktop — regardless of browser or operating system. No login is required.
What happens after I open a shared link?
HoraView loads the chart from the URL parameters and then removes the parameters from the address bar (so the URL looks clean). The chart data is not automatically saved to your Saved Charts slots — if you want to keep it, tap Save in the Saved Charts panel after opening the link.
Where is saved chart data stored?
Saved chart slots are stored in your browser's local storage — they stay on your device and are private to you. They are not synced across devices or browsers. If you clear your browser's site data, the saved slots will be removed; use the Save File option (File menu) to keep a permanent backup as a JSON file.
How many charts can I save?
There is no hard limit set by HoraView. Browser local storage is typically 5–10 MB per site, which comfortably holds hundreds of charts. If your browser reports a storage error, delete some slots or export them as JSON files.
What style of chart does HoraView use?
HoraView uses the North Indian style, which is a square chart divided into 12 triangular and quadrilateral houses by a diamond inscribed inside the square. The chart is sign-based — the ascendant sign is always placed in the top-center house, and the remaining signs follow clockwise.
Which house is the Lagna (Ascendant)?
In the North Indian chart, the top-center triangular region is always House 1 (the Lagna). The sign placed there is the ascendant sign. Houses proceed clockwise: 1 (top), 2 (top-right), 3 (right), 4 (bottom-right), and so on.
What do the numbers inside the houses mean?
Each house shows the zodiac sign number (1 = Aries, 2 = Taurus … 12 = Pisces) and the zodiac glyph of the sign placed in that house. The house number itself (1–12) is also shown near the inner corner.
What do the directional labels E / W / N / S mean?
They indicate cardinal directions on the chart: East = House 1 (Lagna), West = House 7, North = House 10, South = House 4. These are hidden on mobile to save space.
What are the planet abbreviations shown on the chart?
Each planet is shown as a colored 3-D sphere with a two-letter abbreviation below it. HoraView uses a dual-layer color system: each planet has a sphere color (used for the planet ball and aspect lines) and a house tint color (a jewel tone used to shade the houses that planet rules — see House Colors below).
| Abbr. | Planet | Sphere color | House tint |
|---|---|---|---|
| Su | Sun (Surya) | ■ Amber-gold | ■ Warm gold |
| Mo | Moon (Chandra) | ■ Cool silver | ■ Steel blue |
| Ma | Mars (Mangala) | ■ Red | ■ Flame |
| Me | Mercury (Budha) | ■ Green | ■ Emerald |
| Ju | Jupiter (Guru) | ■ Deep gold | ■ Ochre |
| Ve | Venus (Shukra) | ■ Rose | ■ Magenta |
| Sa | Saturn (Shani) | ■ Steel blue-grey | ■ Teal |
| Ra | Rahu (North Node) | ■ Silver | ■ Indigo |
| Ke | Ketu (South Node) | ■ Smoky grey | ■ Crimson |
What does the "R" after a planet name mean?
"R" indicates the planet is retrograde — it appears to be moving backward from Earth's perspective. For example, SaR means Saturn is retrograde. Rahu and Ketu are always retrograde by definition.
What is the ☀ symbol on a planet?
The ☀ badge indicates the planet is combust — it is so close to the Sun (within a few degrees) that its energy is weakened or absorbed by the Sun's rays.
Why do the houses have different colors?
Each house is dynamically colored based on its sign ruler — the planet that rules the zodiac sign placed in that house. Because the ascendant changes for every chart, the house colors are unique to each person's birth data. No two charts look exactly alike.
How does the dual-layer rendering work?
Each house uses two color layers drawn from the same jewel-tone palette:
Which planet rules which sign?
The traditional Jyotish rulerships (each planet rules two signs, except the luminaries):
| Planet | Signs ruled | House tint |
|---|---|---|
| Sun | Leo (5) | ■ Warm gold |
| Moon | Cancer (4) | ■ Steel blue |
| Mars | Aries (1), Scorpio (8) | ■ Flame |
| Mercury | Gemini (3), Virgo (6) | ■ Emerald |
| Jupiter | Sagittarius (9), Pisces (12) | ■ Ochre |
| Venus | Taurus (2), Libra (7) | ■ Magenta |
| Saturn | Capricorn (10), Aquarius (11) | ■ Teal |
| Rahu | — (no permanent rulership) | ■ Indigo |
| Ketu | — (no permanent rulership) | ■ Crimson |
Note: Rahu and Ketu do not rule any sign in the standard Parashari system. Houses whose sign cusp falls within a Rahu or Ketu Nakshatra may be styled with their indigo/crimson tint in KP mode.
Does highlighting a house change its color?
Yes. Clicking a house or selecting a Dasha period highlights the relevant houses with a bright gold overlay. When the highlight is cleared, each house automatically restores to its ruler-based jewel-tone color.
What are the dignity symbols shown on the planet spheres?
Each planet sphere may show a small overlay image indicating its dignity — how strong or weak it is in its current sign:
| Symbol | Dignity | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| ⬆ Exalted | Uccha | Planet at maximum strength in this sign |
| 🏠 Own Sign | Swakshetra | Planet in the sign it rules — strong and comfortable |
| 🤝 Friend | Mitra | Planet in a friendly sign — moderately strong |
| 😐 Neutral | Sama | Planet in a neutral sign — average strength |
| 😠 Enemy | Shatru | Planet in an enemy's sign — weakened |
| ⬇ Debilitated | Neecha | Planet at minimum strength in this sign |
| ☀ Combust | Asta | Planet too close to the Sun — weakened |
Where can I see a legend for the dignity symbols?
A dignity legend is shown at the bottom of the chart panel on desktop. It is hidden on mobile to save space.
How do I view current transits?
Click the Transits tab in the right panel. Enter a location and date/time for the transit (defaults to now), then click Get Transits. Transit planets will appear overlaid on the natal chart in smaller spheres with a gold tint.
What does the "Natal ON/OFF" button do?
Natal OFF hides the natal planets and signs, showing only the transit planets on a clean house grid. This is useful when you want to see where transits fall without the clutter of the natal chart.
How are transit planets different from natal planets visually?
Transit planets are drawn as smaller spheres (about 65% the size of natal planets) with slightly reduced opacity. Transit zodiac signs are shown in gold close to the inner diamond, while natal signs are in dark gray further out.
Can I manually spin planets to explore hypothetical charts?
Yes. Each planet in the Transit panel has spin controls (▲▼) that let you manually adjust its longitude. This is useful for exploring what-if scenarios or rectification work. Changing the ascendant spin recalculates house cusps in real time.
What are Dashas?
Dashas are Vedic planetary periods — a time-based prediction system. The most widely used system is Vimshottari Dasha, which divides life into 120-year cycles of planetary rulership (Mahadasha), each subdivided into sub-periods (Antardasha / Bhukti) and further into Pratyantardasha.
How do I view the Dasha table?
Click the Dashas tab in the right panel. The table shows the current and upcoming Mahadashas with their start/end dates. Click on any Mahadasha to expand it and see the Antardashas (sub-periods) within it.
What system does HoraView use for Dashas?
HoraView uses the standard Vimshottari Dasha system based on the Moon's Nakshatra position at birth.
What are divisional charts?
Divisional charts (Vargas or Amshas) are derived charts created by dividing each sign into equal parts. They provide deeper insight into specific life areas. For example, the D9 (Navamsa) is used to assess the spouse, dharma, and chart strength; D10 (Dasamsa) for career; D12 (Dvadashamsa) for parents.
Which divisional charts are available?
HoraView supports: D2, D3, D4, D5, D6, D7, D8, D9, D10, D11, D12, D16, D20, D24, D30, D40, D45, D60. Click the corresponding tab in the right panel to view each varga chart.
What are Yogas?
Yogas are specific planetary combinations in a chart that produce particular results — positive (Raja Yoga, Dhana Yoga) or negative (Daridra Yoga, Shakata Yoga). They are formed by the placement, conjunction, and mutual aspects of planets relative to houses and signs.
How do I view Yogas in HoraView?
Click the Yogas tab in the right panel. HoraView identifies and lists major yogas present in the chart, grouped by category: Major Yogas, Sun Yogas, Moon Yogas, and Inauspicious Yogas.
What is a Nakshatra?
A Nakshatra (Sanskrit: nakṣatra, "star cluster") is one of 27 lunar mansions used in Vedic astrology. The zodiac is divided into 27 equal segments of 13°20′ each, and the Moon travels through all 27 roughly once a month. Each Nakshatra has a presiding deity, a ruling planet (lord), and a set of qualities that colour the planets placed within it.
How many Nakshatras are there?
The standard count is 27. A 28th Nakshatra, Abhijit, is occasionally used for electional (Muhurta) purposes but is not part of the regular 27-fold division and is not used in Vimshottari Dasha calculations. HoraView uses the standard 27 Nakshatras.
What are the 27 Nakshatras?
Listed in order, each spanning 13°20′ of the sidereal zodiac:
| # | Nakshatra | Lord | Sign span |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ashwini | Ketu | Aries 0°–13°20′ |
| 2 | Bharani | Venus | Aries 13°20′–26°40′ |
| 3 | Krittika | Sun | Aries 26°40′ – Taurus 10° |
| 4 | Rohini | Moon | Taurus 10°–23°20′ |
| 5 | Mrigashira | Mars | Taurus 23°20′ – Gemini 6°40′ |
| 6 | Ardra | Rahu | Gemini 6°40′–20° |
| 7 | Punarvasu | Jupiter | Gemini 20° – Cancer 3°20′ |
| 8 | Pushya | Saturn | Cancer 3°20′–16°40′ |
| 9 | Ashlesha | Mercury | Cancer 16°40′–30° |
| 10 | Magha | Ketu | Leo 0°–13°20′ |
| 11 | Purva Phalguni | Venus | Leo 13°20′–26°40′ |
| 12 | Uttara Phalguni | Sun | Leo 26°40′ – Virgo 10° |
| 13 | Hasta | Moon | Virgo 10°–23°20′ |
| 14 | Chitra | Mars | Virgo 23°20′ – Libra 6°40′ |
| 15 | Swati | Rahu | Libra 6°40′–20° |
| 16 | Vishakha | Jupiter | Libra 20° – Scorpio 3°20′ |
| 17 | Anuradha | Saturn | Scorpio 3°20′–16°40′ |
| 18 | Jyeshtha | Mercury | Scorpio 16°40′–30° |
| 19 | Mula | Ketu | Sagittarius 0°–13°20′ |
| 20 | Purva Ashadha | Venus | Sagittarius 13°20′–26°40′ |
| 21 | Uttara Ashadha | Sun | Sagittarius 26°40′ – Capricorn 10° |
| 22 | Shravana | Moon | Capricorn 10°–23°20′ |
| 23 | Dhanishtha | Mars | Capricorn 23°20′ – Aquarius 6°40′ |
| 24 | Shatabhisha | Rahu | Aquarius 6°40′–20° |
| 25 | Purva Bhadrapada | Jupiter | Aquarius 20° – Pisces 3°20′ |
| 26 | Uttara Bhadrapada | Saturn | Pisces 3°20′–16°40′ |
| 27 | Revati | Mercury | Pisces 16°40′–30° |
What is a Nakshatra Pada?
Each Nakshatra is divided into four equal quarters called Padas (3°20′ each), numbered 1–4. The Pada carries the energy of the Navamsa sign it maps to and is used in detailed predictive work. On the HoraView chart, a planet's Nakshatra and Pada are shown in the tooltip that appears when you hover over the planet sphere.
What is the Nakshatra lord, and why does it matter?
Each Nakshatra is ruled by one of the nine Jyotish planets (Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Rahu, Ketu) in a repeating sequence called the Vimshottari cycle. The Nakshatra lord acts as a co-significator for any planet placed in that Nakshatra and is the basis for calculating Vimshottari Dasha periods — the dasha sequence begins from the Nakshatra lord of the Moon's position at birth.
How does HoraView show Nakshatras on the chart?
Toggle the Show Nakshatra option in the Show menu. This overlays the 27 Nakshatra divisions on the chart as coloured triangular segments. Each segment is tinted with a jewel-tone colour keyed to its ruling planet. The Moon's Nakshatra is highlighted with higher brightness to make it easy to spot at a glance. Nakshatra names are drawn near the outer boundary of the chart, and a small padha number appears inside each segment.
What is the Janma Nakshatra?
The Janma Nakshatra (birth star) is the Nakshatra occupied by the Moon at the moment of birth. It is the most personally significant Nakshatra in a chart — it determines the starting Mahadasha in the Vimshottari system, and traditional practices such as name selection, marriage compatibility (Kuta matching), and auspicious timing (Muhurta) all reference the Janma Nakshatra.
What is KP Astrology?
KP (Krishnamurti Paddhati) is a system of Vedic astrology developed by Prof. K.S. Krishnamurti. It emphasizes cusp sub-lords (using Placidus house cusps) and a refined Nakshatra-based prediction method. It is known for precise timing of events.
How do I use KP mode?
Select KP from the Ayanamsa dropdown in the Input panel before clicking Get Chart. This switches to KP Ayanamsa and Placidus house cusps. The Nakshatra Lords and Sub-Lords will then be calculated using the KP system.
What is a "cusp sub-lord" in KP?
In KP, each house cusp falls in a Nakshatra, which is ruled by a planet (the Nakshatra lord), and within that Nakshatra in a sub-division ruled by another planet (the sub-lord). The sub-lord of a house cusp is the key significator for events related to that house. If the sub-lord of a house signifies the relevant house group, the event is "promised."
What is Ayanamsa?
Ayanamsa is the difference in degrees between the tropical zodiac (used in Western astrology) and the sidereal zodiac (used in Vedic astrology). Because the Earth's axis wobbles slowly over thousands of years (precession), the two zodiacs drift apart by about 1° every 72 years. Different scholars have calculated this offset slightly differently, giving rise to different Ayanamsa systems.
Which Ayanamsa should I use?
What is the Interpret feature?
HoraView can generate a comprehensive Vedic astrological interpretation of your birth chart using AI. The interpretation is grounded in classical texts, primarily Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra (BPHS), with direct references to specific chapters and verses.
How do I use it?
What is the difference between Standard and Detailed?
Standard provides a concise interpretation covering all seven sections in 2-3 paragraphs each. Detailed uses a more advanced AI model to produce a thorough analysis with extensive chapter and verse citations from the selected classical text. Detailed interpretations take longer but offer significantly richer insights.
What does the interpretation cover?
The reading typically includes:
Which texts are used?
You can choose from five classical Vedic astrology texts using the dropdown menu:
What is the Chat follow-up feature?
After running an interpretation, a chat box appears below the results. You can ask follow-up questions about your chart without running a full interpretation again. For example: "What career is best for this chart?" or "Tell me more about my Saturn in the 2nd house."
Two chat modes are available:
How accurate is the AI interpretation?
The AI interpretation is based on authentic passages from classical Jyotish texts, matched to your specific chart data. It references actual chapters and verse numbers from the selected book. However, like any automated reading, it should be treated as an educational tool and starting point for deeper study — not as a substitute for consultation with an experienced Jyotishi. The quality of interpretation improves when all chart data is available (planets, yogas, and dashas). For the richest understanding, try interpreting with multiple texts and comparing their perspectives.
Is my chart data stored?
No. Your chart data is sent to our server only for the duration of the interpretation request. It is not stored, logged, or shared. The AI processes the request and the data is discarded immediately.
How does pricing work?
All core chart features are free. AI-powered Interpret and Chat features use a token system. You get a free trial to start, then purchase token packs to continue.
What do I get for free?
How much do tokens cost?
Token packs are available in three sizes:
How many tokens does each feature cost?
How do I sign in and purchase tokens?
Click the Google sign-in icon in the top navigation bar. After signing in, your avatar and token balance appear. Click your avatar and select Buy Tokens, or click the Buy Tokens button that appears when your balance is low. Payment is processed securely via Stripe.
Do tokens expire?
No. Your tokens remain in your account as long as it is active.
Can I get a refund?
Token purchases are final and non-refundable as they are digital goods consumed upon use. If an interpretation fails due to a server error, your tokens are automatically refunded.
How does HoraView calculate planet positions?
HoraView uses the same ephemeris used by professional astrology software worldwide. It provides highly accurate planetary longitudes for dates from 5400 BCE to 5400 CE.
Does HoraView store my birth data?
Birth data is sent to the server only to calculate planet positions and for AI interpretations — it is not permanently stored. Your chart data is saved only in your own browser's local storage (for the auto-restore feature), and only on your device. If you sign in with Google, we store your name, email, and token balance. See our Privacy Policy for full details.
Does HoraView work on mobile phones?
Yes. HoraView is mobile-optimized. The chart fills the full screen width on phones. Some features like the info bar and dignity legend are hidden on mobile to save space, but all core chart functionality works.
I found a bug or have a feature request. How do I report it?
Use the Contact page to send a message directly to the author. Feature requests and bug reports are very welcome!