Atbash Cipher

The Atbash Cipher is an easy cipher to learn and communicate encoded messages. It was originally made to encode messages in Hebrew. It is sometimes compared to an Affine Cipher, as it contains many similarities. What is special about this cipher is that it can be modified to be used for any language, even if you do not know it; as long as you have the alphabet. Here is an example of how to solve an Atbash cipher!

Encoding

For this example, we will encode the message:

Gatorade

First, you must take a look at the Atbash Cipher chart to encode the message:

A	Z
B	Y
C	X
D	W
E	V
F	U
G	T
H	S
I	R
J	Q
K	P
L	O
M	N
N	M
O	L
P	K
Q	J
R	I
S	H
T	G
U	F
V	E
W	D
X	C
Y	B
Z	A

For each letter in the message you want to encode, look at the chart on the left and see what each letter translates to on the right.

For example,

G = T, A = Z

Continue this process to get the encoded message:

TZGLIZWV

That would be the encoded message for this example!

Now, how do you decode this message?

Decoding

To decode, you must do the steps in reverse.

Look at the chart to see what the encoded message on the left, translates to the regular alphabet on the left.

A	Z
B	Y
C	X
D	W
E	V
F	U
G	T
H	S
I	R
J	Q
K	P
L	O
M	N
N	M
O	L
P	K
Q	J
R	I
S	H
T	G
U	F
V	E
W	D
X	C
Y	B
Z	A

For example,

Encoded T = Decoded G, Encoded Z = Decoded A

Continue this process to get the decoded message:

GATORADE

That would be the flag in this example!

Remember the left of the Atbash Cipher Grid is for the regular alphabet, and the right is the encoded alphabet!

Happy decoding!

For encryption challenges, deciphering the message isn't always the last part of the challenge.