How to use it
- Type the code, name or reference in Text.
- Read each line of Spelled out: one line for each word of your text.
- Use Letter by letter to check each character and its word, and the note under Not spelled for the characters that were left out.
The ICAO and NATO spelling alphabet
The ICAO spelling alphabet was defined in 1955 and 1956 by the International Civil Aviation Organization, so that letters and numbers can be understood over a noisy radio or telephone line. The NATO and ICAO words are the same: each letter has one word that starts with it, from Alfa, Bravo and Charlie to X-ray, Yankee and Zulu.
Digits
- 0 is Nadazero, 1 is Unaone, 2 is Bissotwo and 3 is Terrathree.
- 4 is Kartefour, 5 is Pantafive, 6 is Soxisix, 7 is Setteseven, 8 is Oktoeight and 9 is Novenine.
- Digits are spelled one by one, so the code 112 becomes Unaone Unaone Bissotwo.
What is not spelled
- The Turkish letters Ç, Ğ, İ, Ö, Ş and Ü have no ICAO word, so they are listed as not spelled. Use the plain letter (C for Ç, S for Ş) if the listener needs one, and say so.
- Spaces separate the words and are not spelled. Punctuation and other symbols are listed as not spelled, and their position is shown by the line breaks.
Worked example: Gate B12
G is Golf, A is Alfa, T is Tango and E is Echo, so Gate is spelled Golf Alfa Tango Echo. B12 is Bravo Unaone Bissotwo. The comma after B12 has no word, so it is listed under Not spelled.
| Character | Word |
|---|---|
| G | Golf |
| A | Alfa |
| T | Tango |
| E | Echo |
| B | Bravo |
| 1 | Unaone |
| 2 | Bissotwo |
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the NATO and the ICAO alphabet?
There is no difference in the words: the ICAO list was defined for aviation, and NATO uses the same words for the letters and the digits. The page follows the list as it is written.
Why is a word spelled for each letter instead of the letter itself?
A word is easier to recognise over a poor line than a single letter, and each word starts with its letter, so the listener can check what was meant.
How do I spell a Turkish letter such as Ş?
The ICAO list has no word for Ç, Ğ, İ, Ö, Ş or Ü. Spell the plain letter (S for Ş) and say that it is a Turkish letter, or spell its name in the language of your listener.
Why is X-ray written with a hyphen?
The ICAO list writes X-ray with a hyphen. NATO changed the spelling to Xray without one, and this page follows the ICAO form.
Is my text sent to a server?
No. The spelling is made in your browser, and nothing is stored or sent to our server.
Sources
Figures and text last checked on Tuesday, November 10, 2026.