Reverse Ordinal Gematria Cipher
Reverse Ordinal runs the alphabet backwards: Z = 1, Y = 2 and A = 26. It gives the same letters a different weight and is often used next to English Ordinal for comparison.
The Reverse Ordinal table
How it works
Replace each letter with 27 minus its alphabet position and add the results. A useful check: for any text, English Ordinal plus Reverse Ordinal always equals 27 times the number of letters.
Worked examples
- Light: L (15) + I (18) + G (20) + H (19) + T (7) = 79
- Wisdom: W (4) + I (18) + S (8) + D (23) + O (12) + M (14) = 79
- Karma: K (16) + A (26) + R (9) + M (14) + A (26) = 91
Example values in Reverse Ordinal
Where it comes from
Reversed alphabets are a very old idea (the Hebrew Atbash substitution is one example), but this specific English table is a modern convention.
Frequently asked questions
How can I check my Reverse Ordinal result?
Add the English Ordinal value and the Reverse Ordinal value. The sum should be 27 multiplied by the number of letters in the text.
Does Reverse Ordinal favor early letters?
Yes. A, B and C are worth the most, while X, Y and Z are worth the least.
Other ciphers
- English Ordinal
- Reduction (Pythagorean)
- Reverse Reduction
- Sumerian (x6)
- Jewish English
- Francis Bacon
- Chaldean
- Latin (23-letter)
- Hebrew (Mispar Hechrachi)
Gematria and numerology are traditions of interpretation, not sciences. Results are provided for education, curiosity and entertainment and are not a prediction or professional advice.