The NATO Phonetic Alphabet
The International Radiotelephony Spelling Alphabet, commonly known as the NATO phonetic alphabet, NATO spelling alphabet, ICAO phonetic alphabet or ICAO spelling alphabet, is the most widely used radiotelephone spelling alphabet.
- AlfaAL fah
- BravoBRAH voh
- CharlieCHAR lee
- DeltaDELL tah
- EchoECK oh
- FoxtrotFOKS trot
- Golfgolf
- Hotelho TELL
- IndiaIN dee ah
- JuliettJEW lee ETT
- KiloKEY loh
- LimaLEE mah
- Mikemike
- Novemberno VEM ber
- OscarOSS cah
- Papapah PAH
- Quebeckeh BECK
- RomeoROW me oh
- Sierrasee AIR rah
- TangoTANG go
- UniformYOU nee form
- VictorVIK tah
- WhiskeyWISS key
- XrayECKS ray
- YankeeYANG key
- ZuluZOO loo
Use this chart to study. Print or download a PDF.
Wikipedia has more detail about its usage and history. We spell it Xray, not X-ray like we should.
Why should I learn this?
The NATO phonetic alphabet is useful for many reasons. The most common are spelling words clearly over a poor quality telephone connection and giving amateur (ham) radio call signs. Never make embarrassing mistakes like "Z as in Xylophone" again. Read the stories behind this site.
How can I learn?
It just takes practice. Study the chart above, then test yourself with the flashcards.