NATO Phonetic Alphabet – Free Download

Speech bubbles with NATA phonetic Alphabet - NATO flag in the front
2,995

It can be easy to mishear words over the telephone, but using the NATO phonetic alphabet with words familiar to your audience can reduce confusion.

What Is the NATO Phonetic Alphabet?

The NATO Phonetic Alphabet is a way of spelling out letters that can be easily confused when spoken aloud.

For example, the postcode “NP2” could easily be misheard as “MB2”, which would be a very different location.

Names can also be confused – for example, the name Tate sounds very much like Kate.

To get around that, the phonetic alphabet was developed where letters are spelled out as words, hence, A is for Alpha, B is for Bravo.

What Letters in the English Language Are Easily Confused?

A number of letters in the English language sound similar and are easily confused:

  • B, C, D, E, G, P, T and V
  • M and N
  • F, S and X
  • Y and I
  • G and J (particularly when pronounced by a non-native speaker)

The NATO Phonetic Alphabet

The Standard Phonetic Alphabet used in the UK is the NATO Phonetic Alphabet.

The NATO Phonetic Alphabet
Letter Word Phonic
A Alpha AL FAH
B Bravo BRAH VOH
C Charlie CHAR-LEE
D Delta DELL TAH
E Echo ECK OH
F Foxtrot FOKS TROT
G Golf GOLF
H Hotel HOH TELL
I India IN DEE AH
J Juliette JEW LEE ETT
K Kilo KEY LOH
L Lima LEE MAH
M Mike MIKE
N November NO VEM BER
O Oscar OSS CAH
P Papa PAH PAH
Q Quebec KEH BECK
R Romeo ROW ME OH
S Sierra SEE AIRRAH
T Tango TANG OH
U Uniform YOU NEE FORM
V Victor VIK TAH
W Whiskey WISS KEY
X X-Ray ECKS RAY
Y Yankee YANG KEY
Z Zulu ZOO LOO

FREE Printable NATO Phonetic Alphabet

Do you want to download this to share with your team?

Get your free NATO phonetic alphabet in printable PDF format now:

Screenshot of the free download of the NATO Phonetic Alphabet
Free NATO Phonetic Alphabet in Printable PDF Format
Version: 2
Date Added: 16 May 2023
File Type: pdf
File Size: 83 KB
Category: Tools
Download Link: Download

Download Free NATO Phonetic Alphabet in Editable Word Format

Download Free NATO Phonetic Alphabet in Editable PowerPoint Format

If you are looking for other information on, or printable versions of, the phonetic alphabet – we’ve got you covered, just check out these next:

Author: Jonty Pearce
Reviewed by: Hannah Swankie

Published On: 9th Jun 2023 - Last modified: 28th Aug 2024
Read more about - Skills, , , ,

Follow Us on LinkedIn

Recommended Articles

Stationery, chalkboard and UK flag on color background with words
UK Phonetic Alphabet - Free Download
Australia in letters in front of flag
Australian Phonetic Alphabet - Free Download
A dog in pink wig on yellow background with pink speech balloon
Comedy Phonetic Alphabet - Free Download
The Phonetic Alphabet - in a frame of letters
The Phonetic Alphabet and How it Improves Customer Service