The Rune Converter transforms Roman alphabet, as used in modern English, into five systems of Germanic runic writing: Elder Futhark, Anglo-Saxon runes, Long Branch Younger Futhark, Short Twig Younger Futhark and staveless runes (note that it does not translate the words themselves, it only converts letters into runes). A possibility to choose between these allows to establish a connection with a certain bloodline, tradition or historical period: for instance, if one wishes to emphasize the Viking connection, why use the Elder Futhark, if Vikings did not use it? One should choose between one of the Younger Futhark options instead.
Note that the present converter works with modern English only. Letters with Old Norse (or any other) diacritics will not be converted into runes.
Got Old Norse Word or Phrase to Convert Into Runes?
Here is the guide that will help: How to Write in Old Norse With Futhark Runes. Convert Old Norse texts manually, the choice of runes depends on grammar.
What Types of Runes Are Supported?
- Elder Futhark is the most ancient Germanic runic alphabet that was in use from the 2nd to 8th centuries by all Germanic tribes. This system of runic writing has a very peculiar and complex inner structure.
- Anglo-Saxon Futhorc.
- Long Branch variant of the Younger Futhark, also known as Danish runes, is the normal or standard representation of the Younger Futhark, which began to develop at the end of the 8th century and was accepted by the 10th century in the whole of Scandinavia.
- Short Twig variant of the Younger Futhark is also known as Rök runes. It was used in Norway and Sweden along with the Long Branch variant that was more characteristic for Denmark.
- Staveless or Hälsinge runes were used only in a restricted area and may be a good example of minimalism. They also may be interpreted as a secret writing system.
What To Write With Runes?
Perhaps the most obvious idea is to write with runes one’s own name. For more creative solutions and complex phrases one may find helpful to read about the magic runes or runic love quotes. Note that Scandinavians had a tradition to write with runes various Latin sentences.
Before You Ask a Question in the Comments Section Below
Make sure you checked the following articles:
How to Write in Norse Runes
How to Write A Name in Runes for a Tattoo
How to Translate into Runes Correctly
How to Write an Authentic Runic Inscription
Should I Write in Runes Phonetically?
Please do not post requests to translate anything into Old Norse. This page is about how to convert letters into runes, not about how to translate from English into ancient languages.
Waiver of Liability
Keep in mind that computer generated texts should be used with caution for any permanent use like tattoos or engravings. This tool is provided “as is”, without warranty of any kind.
Hi, I’m hoping to have a tattoo of my son’s name in long branch – his name is Harvey so would I need to drop the y and is there a v equivalent in long branch? Thank you for your help, this is a brilliant website very informative :-)
Hi Jess,
Thanks for the feedback. In the Younger Futhark (including its Long Branch variant), fé, the first rune of the Futhark, was used both for f and v. If you would like to transcribe your son’s name phonetically, you should change -ey to -i. However, preserving the modern English orthography is also an option.
Hi, great site. Can you help me translate this:
Alvin
Ceres
Sampang
in Elder Futhark
It will bee tattooed on my left calf next month!
Thanks in advance!
Hi Alvin,
Simply type in these names into the converter, choose Elder Futhark, and press the Convert button. It will work.
I am a “Jute” of Frisian, Danish, and Saxon descent. I am trying to convert my name to runes. “Stephen” or “Stefan” can be converted, but was this name, or one of similar form, used prior to Christianization? I found one ON dictionary where “stef” means ‘refrain’ and ‘fen’ means ‘bog’, so stef-fen could mean “avoids the bog” ?!?! Since it comes from the Greek word for a garland or crown, perhaps I should just translate “stephanos” to Old Frisian. “Harold” or “Harald” was my father’s given name and I would like to convert it to a true patronym by adding “son”, but would this be with two “s” and is it “Haraldsson” or “Haraldssonr”? “Siemsen” is my “clan” name and means “son of Simon”, or so I have been told. I would prefer to use the Old Frisian runes and spellings, if they are different from Old English. Any suggestions?
Hi Stephen,
Stephanos is a Greek form, Haraldsson (not -sonr) is Icelandic form. It is a bit doubtful whether Frisians would have used these forms of names. We may try to reconstruct elder forms of the names that belong to a given culture, but in the case when the names are foreign to it, one would better keep their present orthography and transcribe them in ancient runes “as is”.
Hi, I’m creating a new tattoo that’s going to be stabbed on my right arm. It’s going to be something mystical Scandinavian. To make it complete I’d like to have the name “Odin” in Younger Futhark (long branch) on it. I used your converter (thanks for putting it on your site), but because Futhark has to be used phonetically, I’m not sure if I put the right word into the converter. Can I just write in the converter: “Odin”? And have it converted that way?
Thanks,
Fred.
Hi Fred,
Please keep in mind that this converter works with modern English only. If you put in letters with Old Norse diacritics, they won’t be converted into runes. I am working on a new algo that would work with Scandinavian graphics as well. The answer to your question depends on which runes you would like to use. Odin in Old Norse is Óðinn. So in the Younger Futhark runes this name would be written as óss-þurs-iss-nauð. If you would prefer the Elder Futhark, then in Proto-Norse you would have *Wōđanaz: *wunjo-*oþila-*dagaz-*ansuz-*naudiz-*ansuz-*algiz. In Anglo-Saxon you would have Woden.
Hello, I am of Danish descent and was wondering about a tatto that I am thinking of getting. I would like a Valknut with the runes Birth Life Death around it. I am wondering which runes to use and which Valknut. Thanks.
Steve
Hi Steve,
Life rune or Leben rune is the name under which the Elder Futhark *algiz (‘protection’) rune is also known. Death rune or Toten rune is the upturned variant of the Life rune, the Younger Futhark ýr (‘yew’) rune. However, keep in mind that the meaning of life and death in connection with these runes was developed during the Third Reich in Germany. As for the valknut, use either Borromean, or unicursal varinat, but never three-link chain, which never occurs in the original Viking Age designs.
I’m trying to find a rather long saying to have tattoed in runes and I’m having a hard time finding it. The saying is ” Valhöll awaits the brave.” Can you help me?
Hi Jordan. Would you like to have it in English or Old Norse? What kind of runes do you intend to use?
Could you please translate
“Victory or Valhalla”
to Old Norse and than to runescript ?
I do not offer translation into Old Norse as a service.
I’ve got a tattoo which features runes, it is a sprig of mistletoe with “is it safe?” (sans the question mark) written below in runes. I believe you all catch the reference.
This is incredibly useful! Definitely gonna use this for the pocket watch design I’m making. Thanks a ton.
You are welcome, Jacob.
I like most of the other people here want to get a tattoo of my last name and need help. My family moved to the U.S. from Denmark and I want a tat that is unique to that even though I am watered down through 5 generations.
Hi Ryan. Your last name literally means ‘son of Christian’. For a runic presentation you would probably want to use its variant spelling Kristiansen.
Ok thanks I guess my next question is how will the English need to be converted to be most accurate to the Denmark region.
Perhaps your choice would be Danish or normal Younger Futhark runes, also known as Long Branch.
I want my full name translated (john neil wendel) only the “W” keeps showing as a “U” even though there is a rune for W. Please advise. Thanks
Hi John. Proto-Norse had no opposition between v and w (Elder Futhark has w, but does not have v; it is not clear to what extent Elder Futhark w was close to modern English w). So in order to transliterate modern English words with w, we have to choose between runic v or u. In most cases u seems to be more appropriate, that’s why it is the default option. You may type in v instead.