Letters to Numbers
Swap each letter for its alphabet position and you have the easiest number code there is. This tool converts words to numbers and numbers back to words.
Opens Unscramble Words 4U, our free word-puzzle site, in a new tab. Free, with no sign-up.
What it does
On the Letters to numbers tab, type words and each letter is replaced by its alphabet position: A is 1 and Z is 26, so CAT comes out as 3-1-20. Hyphens link the numbers inside a word, and a space marks where the next word begins. Switch to the Numbers to letters tab to go the other way. When decoding, the tool accepts hyphens, commas, spaces or slashes as separators, so you rarely need to tidy the input first.
A tick box lets you count from zero instead, making A zero and Z twenty-five, a system used in computing and in some math puzzles. Any number that cannot be a letter shows as a question mark and is listed underneath so you can spot mistakes. A chart of every letter and its number sits below the tool, and the Copy result button saves typing.
How to use it
- Stay on the Letters to numbers tab and type a word or sentence.
- Read the number version in the result box.
- Tick the zero option if your puzzle counts A as 0.
- To decode, choose Numbers to letters and paste the numbers in.
- Press Copy result to use the answer on a worksheet or card.
More tips
- For a harder puzzle, convert to numbers and then add the same amount to each one; learners must subtract before decoding.
Ideas for the classroom and homeschool
- Grades K–2Addition practice: children work out the code for their name, then add up the numbers to find a 'name total'.
- Grades 3–5Word sums: whose spelling word has the highest total? Students predict, calculate, then check with the tool.
- Grades 3–5Write math questions whose answers spell a secret word when turned into letters.
- Grades 6–8Compare A = 1 and A = 0 systems and link the zero-based version to how computers count positions.
Questions
Which number goes with which letter?
Count along the alphabet from 1 for A to 26 for Z. A full chart sits beneath the tool.
What separators can I use when decoding?
Between letters, any of hyphens, commas or spaces will do, with a slash or a gap between words.
Why do I get a question mark?
That value has no letter, for example 27 in the usual system. It also appears in a list below the answer.
What is A1Z26?
A common name for this code, because A is 1 and Z is 26.
Opens Unscramble Words 4U, our free word-puzzle site, in a new tab. Free, with no sign-up.
Letter-number codes are for puzzles and math practice, not for hiding anything private.