How to use this Atbash decoder
- Paste your text in the box above — Atbash or plain English, it does not matter.
- The result updates instantly. Use Swap to put the result back into the input.
- Copy the result with the Copy button.
What is the Atbash cipher?
The Atbash cipher reverses the alphabet. A becomes Z, B becomes Y, C becomes X — every letter swaps with its mirror image. So HELLO becomes SVOOL, and SVOOL becomes HELLO again. Because reversing twice returns the original, an Atbash decoder and an Atbash encoder are the same tool.
Atbash is one of the oldest ciphers in the world. It was used in ancient Hebrew writing — the name “Atbash” comes from the Hebrew alphabet itself: Aleph (A), Tav (T), Beth (B), Shin (Sh). The prophet Jeremiah is said to have used it to hide the name of Babylon in his writings. Today Atbash shows up in puzzle hunts, escape rooms, geocaching and CTF challenges, where it is one of the first ciphers to test when a message looks scrambled.
Examples — decode Atbash
- SVOOL → HELLO
- GSV JFRXP YILDM ULC → THE QUICK BROWN FOX
- ZGYZHS → ATBASH
Frequently asked questions
What is the Atbash cipher?
Atbash is a cipher that reverses the alphabet: A becomes Z, B becomes Y, C becomes X, and so on. It is one of the oldest ciphers, used in ancient Hebrew texts.
How do I decode Atbash?
Apply Atbash again. Like ROT13, Atbash is its own inverse: reversing the alphabet twice returns the original text. Paste the Atbash text above and this tool decodes it instantly.
What is the difference between Atbash and the Caesar cipher?
A Caesar cipher shifts every letter by the same amount. Atbash mirrors the alphabet instead: A maps to Z, B to Y. Both are simple substitution ciphers with no key.
Is Atbash real encryption?
No. Atbash has only one possible mapping and anyone can reverse it in seconds. It is a puzzle and a piece of history, not real security.
Related tools
Caesar Cipher Decoder — the shift cipher, with brute force over all 25 shifts. ROT13 Decoder — the other self-inverse classic. Vigenère Cipher Decoder — the keyword cipher that finally beat simple substitution.