c / ċ
c is commonly k-like; before a front vowel it may be ch-like. Learning editions often mark the latter as ċ.
cyning “king”; ċild “child”
Letters, sounds, and type
Old English Alphabet & Keyboard
Old English scribes adapted the Latin alphabet with native letters and letter forms that suited the language. Learn the characters, understand the editorial marks found in textbooks, and type them without installing a keyboard.
Complete teaching inventory
Learn all 31 characters used in edited Old English
The base alphabet has 24 practical letters. Seven macron forms show vowel length in modern editions, so they are listed separately rather than presented as extra manuscript letters.
Select any character
Read the sound value, a familiar example, and the editorial note for each character.
24 base letters
The practical Latin-script inventory, including ash, eth, thorn, and wynn.
7 long vowels
Macron forms used by modern editors and teachers to show vowel length.
Free browser keyboard
Type the complete set, not only the unusual letters
Build text with all 31 teaching keys, switch to uppercase, add editorial marks, and send the result directly to the Old English to Modern English translator.
Full Old English keyboard
24 base letters, 7 long-vowel forms, and optional editorial marks.
0 characters
Editorial aids
Pronunciation map
Common spelling patterns in edited Old English
Pronunciation is reconstructed, varies by dialect and period, and cannot be reduced to a perfect Modern English equivalent. These rules are a practical first reading guide.
g / ġ
g has several values. A dot in modern editions can mark the y-like sound.
god “God”; ġēar “year”
sc
Often pronounced like Modern English sh, though its value depends on word history and environment.
scip “ship”; fisc “fish”
cg
Commonly corresponds to the sound written dg in Modern English.
ecg “edge”; brycg “bridge”
f / s
Between voiced sounds, these letters can have the voiced values heard in v and z.
heofon “heaven”; nosu “nose”
ā ē ī ō ū ȳ
A macron marks a long vowel in modern editorial and teaching practice; original manuscripts normally did not use this system consistently.
gōd “good”; god “God”
Further reading
Check the alphabet against teaching and manuscript sources
These references explain the Latin alphabet, native additions, editorial marks, and the historical manuscript context in more depth.
- The Old English Alphabet - University of Lethbridge
A detailed tutorial on the alphabet, manuscript practice, and sound values by Daniel Paul O’Donnell.
- Old English Online - Pronunciation Guide
An interactive guide to consonants, vowels, diphthongs, and common spelling rules.
- British Library - Beowulf manuscript
The catalogue record for Cotton MS Vitellius A XV, which contains the unique medieval copy of Beowulf.
Questions people ask
Old English alphabet questions
How many letters are in the Old English alphabet?
This page uses a 24-letter practical base alphabet and lists seven macron vowel forms separately, producing a 31-character teaching set. Historical manuscripts and modern editions do not always follow one identical inventory.
Are macrons original Old English letters?
No. A macron is mainly a modern editorial mark used to show that a vowel is long. Anglo-Saxon manuscripts did not apply this system consistently.
What are thorn, eth, ash, and wynn?
They are distinctive letters used in Old English writing. Thorn and eth represent th sounds, ash is a vowel, and wynn represents a w sound.
Can I type Old English on a normal keyboard?
Yes. Type ordinary Latin letters normally, then use the browser keyboard on this page for historical letters, long vowels, and editorial forms such as dotted c and dotted g.
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