Phonetic Alphabet Converter
Convert text to NATO phonetic alphabet (Alpha Bravo Charlie) for clear communication. Spell out serial numbers, confirmation codes, names, and more.
Includes LAPD and Western Union alphabets, Morse code output, and text-to-speech. 100% client-side - your data never leaves your browser.
Phonetic Output
Morse Code
What is the NATO Phonetic Alphabet?
The NATO phonetic alphabet, also known as the ICAO phonetic alphabet, is a standardized spelling alphabet used by military organizations, aviation, emergency services, and businesses worldwide. Each letter of the English alphabet is assigned a code word (like Alfa for A, Bravo for B) that is easily understood across radio and telephone communications.
Originally developed in the 1950s, this system prevents miscommunication between similar-sounding letters like B/D/E/G/P/T/V. When you need to spell out a confirmation code, serial number, or name over the phone, using the phonetic alphabet ensures clarity.
Full NATO Phonetic Alphabet Reference
Numbers in the Phonetic Alphabet
When to Use Phonetic Spelling
Phonetic spelling is essential when verbal clarity matters:
- Customer support: Reading confirmation codes, order numbers, or addresses
- Aviation & maritime: Communicating callsigns, waypoints, and instructions
- Military & emergency: Transmitting coordinates, unit designations, and commands
- IT support: Spelling serial numbers, license keys, and passwords
- Phone calls: Spelling names, email addresses, and account numbers
Alternative Phonetic Alphabets
While the NATO alphabet is the international standard, other phonetic alphabets exist:
- LAPD / Police Alphabet: Used by US law enforcement (Adam, Boy, Charles, David...)
- Western Union Alphabet: Historical telephony standard (Adams, Boston, Chicago...)
This converter supports all three alphabets, so you can choose the one most appropriate for your context.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NATO phonetic alphabet? +
The NATO phonetic alphabet is a standardized spelling alphabet used internationally for radio and telephone communication. Each letter is assigned a code word (like Alfa for A, Bravo for B) to avoid confusion between similar-sounding letters. It's used by military, aviation, emergency services, and businesses worldwide.
Why is it called 'Alfa' instead of 'Alpha'? +
The NATO phonetic alphabet uses 'Alfa' because the spelling 'Alpha' might be mispronounced in some languages. The NATO alphabet was designed to be internationally understood, so spellings were chosen to sound the same regardless of the speaker's native language. Similarly, 'Juliet' ensures the 'J' sound is clear.
What is the difference between NATO and LAPD phonetic alphabets? +
The NATO/ICAO alphabet is the international standard used in aviation and military. The LAPD alphabet (Adam, Boy, Charles...) is used by US law enforcement and was developed earlier. NATO uses words chosen for international clarity, while LAPD uses common American names that are easier for English speakers to remember.
How do I spell numbers in the phonetic alphabet? +
Numbers are pronounced as words: Zero, One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Niner. Note that 9 is pronounced 'Niner' in NATO to distinguish it from the German 'nein' (no). This converter automatically handles numbers in your text.
Can I convert phonetic words back to regular text? +
Yes! Use the 'Phonetic → Text' mode to convert phonetic words back to letters. Simply paste words like 'Kilo Lima' and get 'KL' as output. This is helpful when reading back spelled-out text from phone calls or radio communications.
What is Morse code? +
Morse code is a character encoding that represents letters and numbers as sequences of dots (.) and dashes (-). Originally developed for telegraph communication in the 1830s, it's still used today in amateur radio and emergency signaling. This tool shows the Morse code equivalent of your text alongside the phonetic output.