Pigpen Cipher Translator

Turn text into pigpen cipher symbols, download them as SVG or PNG for printing, and decode pigpen by clicking the symbols on the key. Two key layouts.

The pigpen cipher, also called the Freemason's cipher, swaps each letter for a symbol based on where it sits in a key of two tic-tac-toe grids and two X shapes. In the standard key, A to I fill the first grid, J to R fill a second grid marked with dots, S to V fill an X and W to Z fill a dotted X. A letter's symbol is the outline of its space, so A (top left of the first grid) is a corner with lines on its right and bottom, and E (the center) is a closed square. Type a message to see it in pigpen, then download it as an SVG for sharp printing at any size, or as a PNG. To decode, switch to Decode and click each symbol you see.

Letters become symbols. Spaces separate words and new lines start a new row. Digits and punctuation are drawn as plain characters.

584 × 152 px SVG; the PNG is 3× that for sharp printing.

Pigpen key

A–I fill the first grid and J–R a grid with dots; S–V fill an X and W–Z an X with dots. Each letter's symbol is the outline of its space, plus the dot if it has one.

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z

Common use cases

  • Print pigpen messages for an escape room, treasure hunt or party game
  • Decode a pigpen message by matching each symbol on the key
  • Make a laser-cut or engraved sign from the SVG download
  • Teach the cipher with the printable key grid and an answer key

How to use

  1. Type your message in Encode mode. Letters become symbols; spaces split words.
  2. Choose the key layout to match the key your players will get.
  3. Set symbol size, line weight, symbols per line and color, and tick Show letters for an answer key.
  4. Download as SVG (vector, best for print and cutting) or PNG.
  5. To read a pigpen message, switch to Decode and click the symbols in order.

FAQ

Why do other pigpen keys look different?

There is no single official key. The most common arrangement is grid, grid, X, X, which this tool uses by default; another is grid, X, grid, X. Some keys place dots differently or add a third grid. Give players the same layout you used to write the message.

Who used the pigpen cipher?

Freemasons used it in the 1700s to keep their records private, which is why it's also called the Masonic or Freemason's cipher. Today it's mostly used in puzzles, escape rooms and classrooms.

Can I print pigpen symbols for an escape room?

Yes. Download the SVG to print or laser-cut at any size without blurring, or the PNG for documents and slides. You can set symbol size, line weight and color, and add the letters under each symbol to make an answer key.

Is the pigpen cipher secure?

No. It's a simple substitution with a widely published key, so anyone who knows the key reads it at once, and frequency analysis breaks it even without the key.

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