NATO Phonetic Alphabet Translator – Alfa to Zulu in 3 Easy Steps
NATO Phonetic Translator
Use this NATO phonetic alphabet translator to convert English text into code words, or decode it back instantly.
Use this free NATO phonetic alphabet translator to spell out any text with code words like Alfa, Bravo and Charlie, or to turn NATO words back into normal letters. Type in the box, copy the result, and use the swap button to switch between encoding and decoding.
Quick answer
The NATO phonetic alphabet gives each letter a clear code word: A Alfa, B Bravo, C Charlie, D Delta, E Echo, F Foxtrot, G Golf, H Hotel, I India, J Juliett, K Kilo, L Lima, M Mike, N November, O Oscar, P Papa, Q Quebec, R Romeo, S Sierra, T Tango, U Uniform, V Victor, W Whiskey, X X-ray, Y Yankee, Z Zulu. For example, "BA 249" is Bravo Alfa / Two Four Nine.
Table of Contents
On a bad phone line, B, D, P and V all sound alike. The NATO phonetic alphabet, officially the International Radiotelephony Spelling Alphabet, fixes this by using one distinct word for each letter.
This NATO phonetic alphabet translator writes the code words for you, which is handy for booking references, serial numbers, email addresses and call signs.
Full NATO Phonetic Alphabet
| Letter | Code word | Letter | Code word |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Alfa | N | November |
| B | Bravo | O | Oscar |
| C | Charlie | P | Papa |
| D | Delta | Q | Quebec |
| E | Echo | R | Romeo |
| F | Foxtrot | S | Sierra |
| G | Golf | T | Tango |
| H | Hotel | U | Uniform |
| I | India | V | Victor |
| J | Juliett | W | Whiskey |
| K | Kilo | X | X-ray |
| L | Lima | Y | Yankee |
| M | Mike | Z | Zulu |
Alfa and Juliett are spelled this way on purpose, so speakers of other languages pronounce them correctly. Digits are read as One, Two, Three and so on; aviation radio often says "Niner" for 9.
How to Use the NATO Phonetic Alphabet Translator
Step 1: Type English Text
Enter a word, code or sentence in English Text. "Flight BA 249" becomes Foxtrot Lima India Golf Hotel Tango / Bravo Alfa / Two Four Nine. A slash marks each space between words, so the listener knows where one word ends. Press Copy to grab the output.
Step 2: Decode NATO Words Back to Text
Press the swap button to switch direction. Type Hotel Echo Lima Lima Oscar / Whiskey Oscar Romeo Lima Delta and the English output reads HELLO WORLD. Single spaces separate letters and a slash starts a new word.
Step 3: Use the Quick Alphabet Reference
The Quick Alphabet Reference lists all 26 letters from Alfa to Zulu. Keep it open while you read a code over the phone, and press Clear to start again.
Who Uses the NATO Phonetic Alphabet?
- Pilots and air traffic controllers.
- Military, police and emergency services.
- Call centres reading booking codes and account references.
- Ham radio operators.
- IT support teams spelling passwords, serial numbers and email addresses.
Tips for Spelling Over the Phone
- Say "as in" before each word if the listener is not used to the alphabet: "B as in Bravo".
- Pause between groups of letters and numbers.
- Ask the listener to read the code back to you.
- For mixed case, say "capital" or "small" before the letter if it matters.
A Short History
Several spelling alphabets were used in the early 20th century, often based on English words that confused non-native speakers. After testing with speakers of English, French and Spanish, the International Civil Aviation Organization adopted the current Alfa to Zulu list in the 1950s, and NATO and the ITU followed. It has stayed the same since then, which is why it is understood worldwide.
Because it is so widely known, the NATO phonetic alphabet translator works for spelling to anyone, from an airline agent to a bank call centre.
More text and code tools: the Morse Code Converter, the Binary Coded Decimal Converter and the Base32 Encoder Decoder.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NATO phonetic alphabet?
It is a set of 26 code words, from Alfa to Zulu, used to spell letters clearly over radio and phone.
Why is it Alfa and not Alpha?
The spelling Alfa avoids the "ph" sound being misread by non-English speakers. Juliett has two Ts for the same reason.
How do I say numbers in the NATO alphabet?
Digits are said as normal words: One, Two, Three. Aviation radio often uses "Niner" for 9 and "Tree" for 3.
How are words separated in the output?
A slash (/) marks each space between words, and single spaces separate the letter code words.
Can I decode NATO words back to letters?
Yes. Press the swap button and type the code words. The translator turns them back into text.
Is my text stored?
No. The NATO phonetic alphabet translator runs in your browser and nothing is saved.