Phonetic Alphabet (Printable PDF and Breakdown)
Learn the NATO phonetic alphabet and how to use it in emergency situations. Printable phonetic alphabet included.
ReadyStash Team
Updated on February 19, 2025
The phonetic alphabet is a standardized set of words used to clearly communicate letters, especially in situations where background noise, accents, or poor signal could cause confusion. It's widely used by military, emergency responders, pilots, radio operators, and law enforcement to ensure clarity over radio or telephone.
Phonetic Alphabet History
The history of phonetic alphabets dates back to the early 20th century when the need for clear communication over radio became apparent. Early versions varied between countries, leading to confusion. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) began working on a universal alphabet in the 1940s, which evolved into the NATO phonetic alphabet we know today.
The final version was officially adopted in 1956 after extensive testing and modifications to ensure it was easily understood by speakers of different languages. This standardization was crucial for aviation, maritime, and military communications, providing a reliable way to spell out critical information regardless of linguistic background or challenging communication conditions.
NATO Phonetic Alphabet:
Here's the official NATO Phonetic Alphabet, which is the most commonly used worldwide:
| Letter | Word | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| A | Alpha | AL-fah |
| B | Bravo | BRAH-voh |
| C | Charlie | CHAR-lee |
| D | Delta | DELL-tah |
| E | Echo | ECK-oh |
| F | Foxtrot | FOKS-trot |
| G | Golf | GOLF |
| H | Hotel | hoh-TELL |
| I | India | IN-dee-ah |
| J | Juliett | JEW-lee-ETT |
| K | Kilo | KEY-loh |
| L | Lima | LEE-mah |
| M | Mike | MIKE |
| N | November | no-VEM-ber |
| O | Oscar | OSS-kar |
| P | Papa | pah-PAH |
| Q | Quebec | keh-BECK |
| R | Romeo | ROW-me-oh |
| S | Sierra | see-AIR-rah |
| T | Tango | TANG-go |
| U | Uniform | YOU-nee-form |
| V | Victor | VIK-tor |
| W | Whiskey | WISS-key |
| X | X-ray | EKS-ray |
| Y | Yankee | YANG-kee |
| Z | Zulu | ZOO-loo |
Why Use the Phonetic Alphabet?
- Avoid miscommunication – Crucial in emergency and high-stakes situations.
- Standardized worldwide – Used in aviation, military, and emergency services.
- Useful for spelling names, serial numbers, or call signs over the phone/radio.
Printable Phonetic Alphabet PDF
We created a handy printable PDF of the NATO phonetic alphabet for you to download and print. This can be great to keep in your bug out bag or survival kit.