Why ROT13 is its own reverse
Because 13 is half of 26, applying the shift a second time lands every letter back where it started. This makes ROT13 popular for hiding puzzle answers and spoilers from casual readers.
ROT13
Encode and decode ROT13 text in one step.
ROT13
How ROT13 works
Example
Why did the chicken cross the road? Jul qvq gur puvpxra pebff gur ebnq? - ROT13 shifts every letter by 13 positions in the alphabet.
- The alphabet has 26 letters, so shifting twice returns the original text.
- Paste text to encode or decode — the same operation does both.
ROT13 is not encryption
ROT13 uses no key and can be decoded by anyone in seconds. It is a readability disguise for text like spoilers and riddles, never a way to protect information.
Related tools
Caesar Cipher Encode and decode Caesar-shifted text with an adjustable key. Caesar Cipher Decoder Decode Caesar-shifted text and compare all 25 possible keys. Atbash Cipher Encode and decode the reverse-alphabet Atbash cipher. Vigenère Cipher Encode and decode Vigenère text with a keyword. Morse Code Translator Translate text to Morse code and decode Morse back to text.
Frequently asked questions
What does ROT13 stand for?
ROT13 means "rotate by 13 places." Each letter moves 13 positions through the alphabet, so A becomes N and N becomes A.
Is my input uploaded?
No. EncodeLab performs this conversion locally in your browser. Your input is not sent to an EncodeLab server or stored by us.
Is ROT13 secure?
No. It has no key and reverses itself, so anyone can decode it instantly. Use it for puzzles and spoilers, not secrets.
Why is ROT13 its own decoder?
The alphabet has 26 letters, so rotating by 13 twice returns the original text. Encoding and decoding are the same operation.