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.
How did the rune for the letter X come to be in Elder Futhark? From what I have seen, letters in the English alphabet that are not in the original Elder Futhark alphabet are repeated runes already in the Elder Futhark alphabet when transcribed. For example, the letters K, C, and Q have the same runes, although only the letter K is in the original Elder Futhark Runes. But when the letter X is transcribed, it is a rune all by itself, unrepeated from other runes, though it does barrow concepts of other runes, such as the K rune and the S rune flipped, and added together. What I am asking is how the rune for the letter X was decided or how it was transcribed in the first place? I would also like to ask for input of how accurate I am on this information, as I am starting to get into the history and language of the Norse and vikings, as I also do not know if my research is reliable and correct.
Hello Xavier. There are several theories as for the origins of the Elder Futhark runes. There are scholars who do believe that several runes are based on the Roman letters. (For instance, J. H. Looijenga thinks that the *gebo rune is directly derived from Latin X: Runes Around The North Sea And On The Continent Ad 150-700, PhD diss. Groningen 1997, p. 56). However, the problem is rather complex and no final solution is at hand. Note that the runes were not counterparts for the Roman letters as used for the Latin language in the early Middle Ages or later for English. The number and the nature of the Elder Futhark runes corresponds to the phonological system of the Proto-Norse language, for which they were created.
Hello
I am looking for a way to phonetically translate three words from English into runes and am not sure about the way to best go about it.
the words are: eight, seven, twothousandthirteen.
I’ve used the translator with the English spelling “ait seven tuthowsandthertein” for phonetic translating.
What would your recommend?
Hello Nathan. I would not recommend to attempt a phonetic representation of these words. This guide offers the explanation.
hello,
this is a great website, im trying to convert ‘love’. i have been on your website and on a local jewelers translator (aurora jewellery) and the V is the only letter that is different in both. any chance you could explain the difference?
kind regards
Hello Helga. I am not aware of a practice or tradition to represent the v sound or letter with the rune similar to a double *algiz rune that is used for v on the site you mentioned. It is not necessarily incorrect, I just cannot understand immediately why the choice.
Hi
I was looking to get ‘I am mortal but am I human’ as a tattoo written in Elder Futhark and was looking to get a translation or a review on the one that the site gives?
Thank you!
Hello Pete. The converter above does not translate anything. You get the same words in English, but the letters are represented in runes.
Hi, im wondering which set of runes is supposed to be the “gift of Odin?” Is it possible to write or speak with this type of rune? What are they specifically titled?
Hello Bryant. It is usually understood that the Nordic myth that describes Odin as receiving the runes through self-sacrifice is about the Elder Futhark runes. The Elder Futhark is basically an alphabet, so you cannot ‘speak’ with it, it is for writing the sounds down (or rather carving them in case of the Germanic runes).
I want to write ‘mjolnir’ and ‘gungnir’ in younger futhark Danish long branch runes. Can you tell me if the rune converter is translating these 2 words correctly?
Thank you.
Hello Chadde. No, since this converter is for modern English only, as the disclaimer above states.
Hi ! I wanted confirm “brothers” in Longbranch, before committing to a tattoo with my brother. Seems right, but I’m taking heed of your waiver.
Hello Karl. What kind of confirmation would you like to receive? I do believe the algorithm that stands behind the converter substitutes runes for letters in a way that can be convincingly explained from the point of view of historical phonology. In case you want to have a professional opinion, you will have to find a scholar and consult him. The present converter is an automated solution for those who cannot or do not want to delve into philologists’ lengthy explanations.
Hey, first I want to thank the oploaders of this webside for such a handy site.
I am getting my first tatoo with norse runes and I choose the elder Futrak. I double checked your site whit wikipedia and there mostly is the same but the nordic rune for s is turned around on that page so my question was if there was made a mistake by wikipedia. Surley I believe this site over wikipedia but I just wanted to make sure so i do not end up with the wrong S in my tatoo.
Here is the website of the other information. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elder_Futhark
PS. I am sorry for my bad english but that is due to the fact english is not my native language.
Hello Luca. The actual Elder Futhark runic inscriptions had several variants of the *sowilo rune. Both versions are okay.
I’ve been reading about Elder Futhark for quite some time now, and have noticed that the Runic system doesn’t contain any traces of the Latin letters Q, X, V. I know that the Runic character that transliterates to K can be substituted for C but I have noticed on the translator, or rather converter, you join up certain runes when forming a single letter, for example Q. Why is that?
Hello Bobby. I am not joining runes to represent Q, I use the same rune for Q, K and C. I use two runes for X, because this letter basically represents two sounds, K and S. The runes were not initially created to represent all the Roman letters, but to represent the sounds of the Germanic language (Proto-Norse in case of the Elder Futhark runes).
Hi there, just wondering which has the stronger Norwegian connection Elder or younger Futhark. And if possible (in which version you recommend) could you please send me a correct version of the names Freya and Elka, for the purpose of tattoo, Cheers.
Hello Adam. The Elder Futhark was a runic writing system common for all Germanic peoples. The Younger Futhark was used by North Germanic tribes throughout Scandinavia. To convert the names into runes please use the converter above.