Online Tool Store
Runic Script Converter
Convert typed text into Elder Futhark runic characters (and back), letter by letter, for tattoos, crafts, or fantasy writing.
🔒 This tool runs entirely in your browser. Your files are never uploaded to a server.
Elder Futhark has no separate letters for C, Q, or X — they map to the closest sound (K, K, and KS). Reverse conversion is approximate for the same reason: multiple Latin letters share a rune.
How Runic Script Converter works
- Type or paste English text — a sample sentence is pre-filled and converted immediately.
- Each Latin letter is looked up in an Elder Futhark transliteration table and replaced with its corresponding rune, one character at a time; spaces and punctuation pass through unchanged.
- Switch the direction dropdown to convert runes back to Latin letters — since several Latin letters can share one rune (C, K, and Q all map to ᚲ), the reverse direction uses the most common letter for that rune.
- Copy the result with the Copy button for use elsewhere.
The conversion is a straightforward character map, the same technique used for any letter-substitution cipher — just with a historical rune set standing in for the Latin alphabet instead of a shifted alphabet.
FAQ
Which runic alphabet does this use?
Elder Futhark, the oldest runic alphabet, used by Germanic peoples from roughly the 2nd to 8th centuries — the 24-rune version most people picture when they think of runes. It predates the Younger Futhark used later in Viking-age Scandinavia.
Why do some letters share the same rune?
Elder Futhark simply has fewer letters than the modern Latin alphabet — it never distinguished C from K or Q, for example, so all three map to ᚲ. Converting back from runes to Latin text is therefore approximate: the tool picks the most common Latin letter for each rune.
Can I use this for a tattoo or engraving?
It gives a reasonable letter-by-letter transliteration, which is the standard approach most rune generators use — but historical runic inscriptions did not always spell things the way a direct letter substitution would. For anything permanent, it is worth cross-checking against a rune reference before committing.
How we compare
| Feature | Online Tool Store | Doing it manually | A generic online tool |
|---|---|---|---|
| No file upload — runs in your browser | ✓ | N/A | ✗ |
| No sign-up required | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Free, no watermark | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
Most "rune generator" sites are cluttered with ads around a single conversion box, or gate the reverse direction behind a sign-up. Runic Script Converter does both directions instantly, entirely client-side, with the letter-sharing caveat stated plainly instead of hidden.