NATO Phonetic Alphabet Chart (UK)

The NATO / ICAO phonetic alphabet assigns a clear code word to every letter (A–Z) so people can communicate accurately over radio or telephone.

In the UK it’s widely used in aviation, emergency services, amateur radio and professional settings where a single misheard letter can cause errors.

Need numbers or training? Use the dedicated pages for numbers (0–9), pronunciation, practice and our quiz.

The NATO / ICAO phonetic alphabet is an international standard. The code words (Alpha, Bravo, Charlie…) are the same in the UK and US — the main differences are accent and local procedure.

Some organisations historically used older “police” alphabets, but today the NATO / ICAO set is the most widely recognised and recommended for clear communication.

Use it in context: phone calls, aviation, and police & emergency services.

Tap a letter to hear the correct code word. This page is a quick reference chart — for deeper learning, visit the pronunciation, audio and practice pages.

Download Phonetic Alphabet PDF

Choose a tool depending on what you need.

• Numbers (0–9) — UK vs ICAO pronunciations (Tree, Fife, Niner…)
• Pronunciation guide — common mistakes and how to say words clearly
• Audio page — tap-to-play A–Z (and numbers)
• Practice — convert text and play the full phrase
• Quiz — recognition training game

thephoneticalphabet.co.uk is a UK-first reference and training site for the NATO / ICAO phonetic alphabet.

We keep the content simple, fast and accurate, and we focus on the most common real-world use cases: spelling names and postcodes on the phone, radio procedures, and learning number pronunciations like Tree, Fower, Fife and Niner.

Read more on the About page, including how this content is checked and maintained.

What is the NATO phonetic alphabet?

The NATO phonetic alphabet is a standard set of code words (Alpha, Bravo, Charlie…) used to spell letters clearly over radio or telephone. The words are chosen to be distinct and easy to understand across accents and noisy conditions.

Why it’s used

Phonetic spelling reduces mistakes when sharing names, email addresses, registration plates, call signs, serial numbers, and locations — especially on poor phone lines or busy radio channels.

UK vs US and worldwide usage

The UK uses the same NATO / ICAO standard as the US and most of the world. In professional settings (aviation, emergency services, radio), using the official words matters because everyone expects the same standard.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Using unofficial words (“Apple” for A, “Dog” for D) in professional contexts
• Rushing letters that sound similar (B/D, M/N, F/S)
• Ignoring standard number pronunciations like “Tree”, “Fife” and “Niner”

The NATO phonetic alphabet is a standardized spelling alphabet designed to make letters unmistakable when spoken aloud. Instead of saying just “B” or “D”, you say “Bravo” or “Delta”. The code words were selected because they are distinct, familiar, and easy to recognise across accents and in noisy conditions.

What it solves

• Similar-sounding letters: B/D, M/N, S/F and others are often confused on phone lines.
• Background noise: Radio chatter, traffic, or office noise can mask key sounds.
• Accents and pronunciation differences: Standard code words reduce ambiguity.

When to use it

It’s ideal whenever accuracy matters: spelling names, email addresses, vehicle registrations, booking references, serial numbers, or anything that would be costly to get wrong.

How to use it correctly

Say the letter and the code word together (for example: “B — Bravo”). Keep a steady pace, and confirm the full word or code at the end if the listener repeats it back.