The crystal structures of the isomorphous title compounds, namely potassium zinc hydrogen pyrophosphate dihydrate and potassium manganese hydrogen pyrophosphate dihydrate, consist of acidic pyrophosphate-metallate(II) layers joined by K(+) ions and hydrogen-bridging bonds. The Zn(2+)/Mn(2+) ions are octahedrally surrounded by four pyrophosphate O atoms and by two water molecules. The (HP(2)O(7))(3-) anions exhibit eclipsed conformations. The metal ions and water O atoms lie on mirror planes, as does the central O atom of the (HP(2)O(7))(3-) anion.