The term "runes" refers to the writing systems used across North and Western Europe from the 1st millennium onward. Before the widespread adoption of the Latin alphabet, early forms of English relied on their own distinct runic script: Futhorc. Futhorc wasn't just a simple alphabet; it was a more precise fit for the sounds of Old English. It contained symbols that accurately transliterated phonetic elements that the 26-letter Latin alphabet lacks. For example, it featured a unique letter for the "th" sound, called Thorn (Þ and þ). There is also a dedicated symbol, the Eðel rune (ᛟ), for the long "o" sound (as in oar), distinct from the short "o" sound represented by the Ōs rune (ᚩ).
Try out the Futhorc Bi-Directional Converter to convert modern English letters to Futhorc runes and back! Special character inputs are available for the letters and combinations that don't have direct counterparts in the standard modern English alphabet.
Futhorc Bi-Directional Converter
Output (Click to Copy):
Special Input Key (Latin → Futhorc):
| Input | Rune/Ligature | Name/Sound |
|---|---|---|
| **EASTER EGG:** BLUETOOTH (all casings) → **ᛒᚼ** (Bindrune B+H) | ||
| ST|, St| and st| | ᛥ | Stān (ST Ligature) |
| W| and w| | ᚹ | Wēn (Original W Rune) |
| W and w | Ƿ / ƿ | Wynn (Latin W) |
| TH\, th\ and Th\ | ᚦ | Thorn (Runic) |
| TH|, th| and Th| | Ð / ð | Eth (Voiced Latin) |
| TH, th and Th | Þ / þ | Thorn (Modern Latin) |
| A| and a| | ᚫ | Æsc (Long A/Ash) |
| O| and o| | ᛟ | Eðel (Long O) |
| QU, qu and Qu | ᛣ | Cweorþ (KW sound) |
| SS and ss | ᛊ | Sigel (Alternative S) |
| V and v maps to ᚢ (Ur), the same as U and u. | ||
Unlisted single letters (A, F, E, I, etc.) map to their single runic equivalents (ᚪ, ᚠ, ᛖ, ᛁ, etc.).
For information other ciphers and topics:
Pager Code Look Alike Cipher Tool: This is the full 26-letter system that uses visual tricks with numbers for every letter from the 1990's before texting. This cipher will translate messages into this OG secret messaging. [Try out this cipher tool on your own messages.]
Beeper Codes: Need a super-fast message? These are simple, standardized three-digit messages used as quick status updates (e.g., 143 for "I love you"). [View the Beeper Code Dictionary]
The Spartan Secret: Encrypt Messages with the Scytale Cipher: Use one of the earliest codes to be employed in the World! [Scytale Cipher Tool]
