Text to NATO phonetic alphabet
Handy when you read out a booking reference, an email address or a plate number to a call centre or over the radio.
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How to use it
- Enter text and digit words.
- The result appears straight away and updates as you edit.
- Copy the result, or copy a link that keeps the same values to share it.
How it is calculated
Each Latin letter is replaced by its ICAO/NATO code word and each digit by its English word or the ITU maritime form; words are split by /.
Example
Inputs: Digit words = English words (One, Two). Result: Spelling: Alfa Bravo One Two / Alfa Lima India; Unsupported symbols: None.
AB12 Ali
Alfa Bravo One Two / Alfa Lima India
Limits and caveats
- Signs such as @ and . have no code word, so they are skipped and listed; say them yourself as at and dot.
- Arabic letters are not supported because the international spelling alphabet covers Latin letters only.
Questions about this tool
Why are Alfa and Juliett spelled that way?
ICAO chose these spellings so speakers of many languages pronounce them correctly; Alpha can be misread by non-English speakers.
What is the difference between the digit options?
English words are common in aviation and on the phone, while Unaone and Bissotwo are the ITU maritime forms.
Is the phonetic alphabet the same as Morse code?
No. The phonetic alphabet is spoken words for spelling, while Morse is dots and dashes sent by sound or light.