Rail Fence Cipher

About this calculator

This tool encrypts or decrypts text with the Rail Fence cipher, a transposition cipher that writes the message in a zig-zag pattern down and up across a chosen number of "rails" (rows), then reads the letters off row by row to produce the ciphertext. Unlike substitution ciphers, it doesn't change any letters — only their order.

It's a classic introductory example in cryptography courses and a favorite of puzzle and escape-room designers because it's easy to encode by hand yet illustrates the core idea of transposition. Enter your text and choose the number of rails to encrypt or decrypt instantly.