Welcome to our Rune Translator, the most accurate and user-friendly tool to convert English letters into ancient **runic alphabets**. With this free online rune converter, you can instantly transform your text into the mysterious symbols once carved into wood, stone, and metal by the **Vikings, Anglo-Saxons, and Germanic tribes**. Whether you want to write your name in runes, design a tattoo, or explore **Elder Futhark**, **Younger Futhark**, or **Anglo-Saxon Futhorc**, this guide will help you understand the fascinating world of runes.
A Rune Translator (or Rune Converter) is a tool that replaces modern English letters with their equivalent runic symbols. Instead of translating meaning like Google Translate, a rune converter focuses on transliteration — letter-by-letter conversion into the runic system.
For example:
This makes it ideal for writing names, short phrases, or inscriptions in runes for decorative, historical, or creative purposes.
Runes are phonetic symbols, meaning they represent sounds rather than modern spelling rules. Unlike English, where multiple letters can make the same sound (e.g., “ph” = “f”), runes were carved to reflect pronunciation directly.
Because runes evolved across different regions and centuries, there was never just one “correct” version. For instance:
Modern Icelandic is the closest living language to Old Norse, but even then, rune spelling often varied depending on dialect and region.
It’s important to note:
Example:
Because runes were carved, people often skipped duplicate letters (Anna → ᚨᚾᚨ). This saved time and effort.
Runes were not only practical writing symbols — they were also believed to hold magical power.
This dual role — ordinary letters + mystical symbols — is part of what makes runes so fascinating today.
Different online rune converters may offer one or more alphabets. Our tool supports:
This flexibility lets you explore runes from different eras and cultures.
Here are some sample names in different runic systems:
Try entering your own name in the translator to see the result instantly.
Bindrunes are when two or more runes are merged into one symbol. Historically, they were used for:
Modern use includes logos, tattoos, and jewelry designs.
Example: Combining ᚠ (Fehu, wealth) and ᛉ (Algiz, protection) creates a bindrune symbolizing “prosperity and safety.”
While ancient runes were once used to encode meaning through symbols, modern digital communication has developed its own symbolic systems as well. One interesting example is the Wingdings font, which converts standard English text into icons and pictograms. If you’re curious about expressing regular words using symbolic characters, this online Wingdings translation tool offers an easy way to turn English text into Wingdings symbols.
No online rune converter can provide 100% historical accuracy, especially for long texts. Reasons include:
If you plan to use runes for tattoos, monuments, or academic work, it’s best to consult scholarly sources on Old Norse or Old English linguistics.
Each rune had a name and symbolic meaning. For example:
This connection between letters, gods, and nature explains why runes were more than just writing — they carried deep spiritual meaning.
According to Norse mythology:
This myth shows why runes were viewed as sacred gifts from the gods, not just ordinary symbols.
Runes are more than just an alphabet — they are a bridge to ancient Norse culture, magic, and mythology. Our Rune Translator lets you instantly convert English text into runes, explore different Futharks, and understand the meanings behind these powerful symbols.
Whether you want to write your name in runes, design a bindrune tattoo, or simply learn about Viking writing systems, this tool is your gateway into the world of runes.
Interested in exploring other ancient languages beyond runes? You might also enjoy our Aramaic Translator, a tool that helps you convert modern text into one of the oldest written languages in history — Aramaic, also known as Syriac.
No. It’s a practical transliteration. Historical orthography varied and not all sounds map 1:1 across eras.
Yes. Switch to “Runes → Text”, paste the runes, and the tool will map them back to Latin letters where possible.
For general Viking‑era styles, try Younger Futhark (long‑branch) or Short‑Twig. For earlier inscriptions, choose Elder Futhark. Anglo‑Saxon and Medieval suit later English‑sphere contexts.
