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.
Hello. I work with rodents as part of my dissertation. I would like to get a correct Eldar Futhark, or Anglo-Saxon Futhark translation for “singing mouse” (a species of mouse very important in my thesis). I have used the translator for this, but I am unsure of the part for “ng”. Is it a single sound (such that the first word has 5 runes? It’s to be a tatoo, so I want to get it correct. Many thanks!
Hi Jacqueline. Yes, the “ng” sound is represented by a single rune.
Well, I’m a bit disapointed but i knew it wasn’t gonna be an easy task. The words I’m using are actually extracts from runic interpretations of several rune scripts (not done by me obviously) so I’m actually doing what you suggested, however the blanks are not present in any of the inscriptions I’ve studied.
Thank you for taking the time to answer me, and when I finish, if I finish, translating this text I’ll post it here for future reference.
Thanks again
You are welcome, Gabriel.
hi, i’m looking to find out if i would just use the Younger Futhark (Danish) to spell out ‘GIVE’ or is there a symbol or word that i should be using instead? thanks.
Hi DiGUM. Your question is not quite clear for me. What kind of inscription would you like as a result? If you want to spell the English word “give” in runes, then the answer is positive, type it in and press the Convert button. If you want it in Old Norse, you have to translate it first and then write in runes, but not with this converter, since it works with modern English only.
I want a saying translated into the old anglo saxon language, then after the words are translated I want it in anglo-saxon runes
all online translators just translate phonetically still in modern english but in runes, I hate that
the saying is “follow the moon for the sun has led them astray” don’t anyone steal that I made it up
then I want to do something else in old norse, something akin to dying for the cause is noble, no fear of death, havent figured out how I want that yet
and have that in viking runes
this is for a half sleeve for the english, and scott’s-irish of my blood, the scotts-irish side swain is viking hence the old norse
Hi Mikey. I think, there are three possible ways to do what you want: (1) ask someone who knows both Old English and Old Norse to translate your phrases and write them in runes; (2) pay to a speciaslist and have your phareses translated and written in runes; (3) study Old English and Old Norse, and then take a special course in Anglo-Saxon and Scandinavian runes. I am sure the third way is the best one.
I’m not sure about your S in Elder Futhark. And the other question is why it uses J for Y letter? For example in my name. I have looked into a lot of Wikipedia and other sites. It seems that there is not an absolute rule for any kind of Futhark or runic letters. I downloaded a bunch of Fonts either but they are different either! Where I have to believe? I’m lost. I wanna use it for tattoo I can’t risk!
Hi Elyar. As for the S, have a look at the pictures of the actual Elder Futhark inscriptions. Phonetically, J in the Elder Futhark represents the same sound as English Y in “yes”. If English Y represents a different sound, like in “Andy”, one should use Elder Futhark I instead.
Hi,
My sister and I are planning on getting Odin’s ravens as a tattoo. I would like to have Huginn and Muninn in rune, any suggestions?
Hi Tre Jordan. I have already answered that question for Mike above, on previous page.
This is interesting so since I would use úr rune for ø would that mean I wouldn’t use a rune for “r” since the sound is already done with the úr rune? The úr rune from younger futhark and the uruz rune from elder futhark look almost identical, do they have the same sound too?
Thank you friend.
No, r is not done with the úr rune, and you will need a separate rune for that sound (reið), because úr is the name of the rune and not two sounds that it transacribes. True, úr is the same as *uruz of the Elder Futhark, but in the Younger Futhark there are fewer runes and each represents several sounds, unlike the Elder Futhark runes. The Younger Futhark úr can represent u, o, ø, y and even au.
Hello grand admin!
I was curious how to write my name, Björn, in runes, but I have become quite confused in which runes I use. For example do I use the rune that represents o or is there a special rune for ö/ø.
Thank you.
Hello Björn,
In the Younger Futhark ø was transcribed by means of the rune úr.
Hello, I want to engrave a ring with a runic inscription that should read: “I runemaker Gabriel pray these runes will grant wisdom and love”. I has proven quite difficult to translate this, what i have so far is:
ehwaz-kaunan_ehwaz-raido-isaz-laguz-ansuz-algiz_gebo-ansuz-berkanan-raido-isaz-ehwz-laguz_blank_isaz_raido-uruz-naudiz-opila-algiz_blank
I would be eternally gratefull if you could give me a hand filling in the remaining blanks as I am struggling trying to make an accurate translation.
Thank you for your time.
Hi Gabriel,
We cannot translate whole phrases into Proto-Norse as easily as we do into Latin or Ancient Greek. The runic texts offer us too little data on syntax, word usage, grammar etc. For instance, the word *erilaz that you used for ‘runemaster’ may well be the Proto-Germanic form of Anglo-Saxon eorl ‘man, warrior, noble’ and mean a military title. We simply don’t know. I would suggest using some formula that is attested in an existing runic inscription. You may be interested to read the article on the seven known Anglo-Saxon runic rings.
I want to get móðr tattooed between my shoulders. It means Tired.
I’m not sure how to translate the accents. Help appreciated.
Also, Anders Porq ‘is it safe?’ from Clerks animated series?
Hi Móðr,
Your name in the Younger Futhark runes: maðr-óss-þurs-reið. It rather means ‘out of breath’.