The NATO phonetic alphabet (also called the ICAO phonetic alphabet) is the global standard for spelling letters out loud with clear, unambiguous code words. Instead of saying just “B” (which can sound like D, P, or V on a bad line), you say “Bravo.” That single change dramatically reduces errors when there’s noise, weak signal, different accents, or fast note-taking on the other end.
You’ll hear this system everywhere: aviation and air traffic, radio communication, military and emergency services, call centers, and everyday life—dictating an email address, a booking reference, a license plate, a serial number, or a name that keeps getting misheard.
How it works
- Every letter A–Z maps to one fixed code word (Alfa, Bravo, Charlie…).
- To spell a word, you convert each letter into its NATO word and say them in order.
Example:
BILAL = Bravo India Lima Alfa Lima
The key is consistency: use the standard words, not “creative alternatives.” The whole point is that these code words are recognized internationally.
Best practices for using NATO words (so you’re understood instantly)
Speak in clean “chunks”
Say one code word per letter, with short pauses if the other person is writing it down.
Confirm the risky letters
If you notice confusion, repeat the letter with its NATO word and, if needed, restate the full chunk.
Don’t mix old/legacy alphabets
Older local lists exist (like “Able Baker”), but they are not the modern standard. This chart uses the current NATO/ICAO set.
Pronunciation notes (quick but important)
- Alfa is spelled “Alfa” (not “Alpha”) to improve international pronunciation.
- Juliett is spelled with a double “t” in the official set.
- X-ray is typically written with a hyphen.
NATO Phonetic Alphabet Chart (A–Z)
| Letter | NATO Word | Learn |
|---|---|---|
| A | Alfa | A (Alfa) → |
| B | Bravo | B (Bravo) → |
| C | Charlie | C (Charlie) → |
| D | Delta | D (Delta) → |
| E | Echo | E (Echo) → |
| F | Foxtrot | F (Foxtrot) → |
| G | Golf | G (Golf) → |
| H | Hotel | H (Hotel) → |
| I | India | I (India) → |
| J | Juliett | J (Juliett) → |
| K | Kilo | K (Kilo) → |
| L | Lima | L (Lima) → |
| M | Mike | M (Mike) → |
| N | November | N (November) → |
| O | Oscar | O (Oscar) → |
| P | Papa | P (Papa) → |
| Q | Quebec | Q (Quebec) → |
| R | Romeo | R (Romeo) → |
| S | Sierra | S (Sierra) → |
| T | Tango | T (Tango) → |
| U | Uniform | U (Uniform) → |
| V | Victor | V (Victor) → |
| W | Whiskey | W (Whiskey) → |
| X | X-ray | X (X-ray) → |
| Y | Yankee | Y (Yankee) → |
| Z | Zulu | Z (Zulu) → |
Common mistakes (and how to avoid them)
- Rushing similar letters: If someone confuses “B” and “D,” slow down and repeat: “B as Bravo.”
- Dropping the standard words: If you switch words (like “B as Banana”), you lose the global consistency.
- Not confirming back: In critical contexts, repeat back what you heard using NATO words to verify accuracy.
Quick practice drills
- Spell your email address using NATO words.
- Spell a random 6-letter code, then ask someone to write it down.
- Practice the “confusable pairs”: B/D, M/N, P/T, V/B, S/F.