Military Alphabet Chart
The full NATO phonetic alphabet, plus a converter that spells out any word or phrase.
Spell out a word
Enter any text to see its military phonetic spelling.
Result
How this works
Each letter is replaced with its NATO code word, and each digit with its number name, so the word or phrase can be spelled out clearly over radio or phone.
How to use this calculator
- Type any word, name or phrase.
- Press Calculate to see its full phonetic spelling.
Full NATO phonetic alphabet chart
| Letter | Code word | Letter | Code word |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Alpha | 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 |
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is the military alphabet?
It's the NATO phonetic alphabet — a standardized set of words (Alpha, Bravo, Charlie...) used to represent letters clearly over radio or phone, avoiding confusion between similar-sounding letters.
Why is it called the NATO alphabet?
It was formally standardized by NATO in the 1950s, though militaries, pilots, and emergency services worldwide now use it.
How are numbers handled?
Digits are simply spoken as their number names (Zero, One, Two...) rather than using separate code words.
Who uses the phonetic alphabet today?
Pilots, air traffic control, police and emergency services, amateur radio operators, and call centers confirming names or codes over the phone.