ROT13 Encoder / Decoder

Apply ROT13 cipher to text — shift each letter by 13 positions. Applying ROT13 twice returns the original text.

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The ROT13 tool applies the ROT13 substitution cipher to your text. Each letter is replaced by the letter 13 positions after it in the alphabet. Since the English alphabet has 26 letters, applying ROT13 twice returns the original text — the same function both encodes and decodes.

ROT13 was popularized on Usenet forums as a way to hide spoilers, puzzle answers, and mildly sensitive content. While it provides no real security, it prevents casual reading of text. It's also a simple example used to teach cipher concepts in cryptography courses.

This tool processes text entirely in your browser. Non-alphabetic characters (numbers, punctuation, spaces) are preserved unchanged.

How to Use ROT13 Encoder / Decoder

  1. 1Paste or type your text into the input area.
  2. 2The ROT13 transformation is applied instantly.
  3. 3To decode ROT13 text, simply paste the encoded text — the same operation reverses it.
  4. 4Copy the result using the Copy button.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is ROT13?
ROT13 (rotate by 13 places) is a simple letter substitution cipher where each letter is replaced by the letter 13 positions after it in the alphabet. A becomes N, B becomes O, and so on. Since the alphabet has 26 letters, applying ROT13 twice returns the original text.
Is ROT13 secure encryption?
No. ROT13 is not encryption and provides no security whatsoever. It is trivial to decode and is only used for hiding text from casual reading, such as spoilers in online forums or simple obfuscation.
Does ROT13 affect numbers and special characters?
No. ROT13 only transforms letters (A-Z and a-z). Numbers, punctuation, spaces, and other characters pass through unchanged.
What is the difference between ROT13 and a Caesar cipher?
ROT13 is a specific case of the Caesar cipher with a shift of 13. A Caesar cipher can use any shift value (1-25), while ROT13 always shifts by 13, which has the special property of being its own inverse.