1. The 26 English alphabet letters and their pronunciation
Click the speaker icon to listen to the pronunciation of each alphabet letter.
2. Phonetic alphabet
In English, we often use code words, commonly known as the phonetic alphabet, to help spell words. For example, to spell ANDY, one would say A for Alfa, N for November, D for Delta, and Y for Yankee. Type any English alphabet character in the box below and listen to the code words used.
3. Table of the English alphabet with phonetic references
The table below displays the English alphabet as capital letters and lowercase letters. Next to each letter, youβll see how itβs pronounced and its corresponding word from the NATO phonetic alphabet. The main goal of the phonetic alphabet is to have a set of words (code words) that can be easily understood when spoken over the phone or radio, even in poor conditions or when the connection isnβt clear.
Capital | Lowercase | Phonetic | Phonetic Alphabet |
---|---|---|---|
A | a | /eΙͺ/ | Alpha |
B | b | /bi:/ | Bravo |
C | c | /si:/ | Charlie |
D | d | /di:/ | Delta |
E | e | /i:/ | Echo |
F | f | /ef/ | Foxtrot |
G | g | /dΚi:/ | Golf |
H | h | /eΙͺtΚ/ | Hotel |
I | i | /aΙͺ/ | India |
J | j | /dΚeΙͺ/ | Juliet |
K | k | /keΙͺ/ | Kilo |
L | l | /el/ | Lima |
M | m | /em/ | Mike |
N | n | /en/ | November |
O | o | /oΚ/ | Oscar |
P | p | /pi:/ | Papa |
Q | q | /kju:/ | Quebec |
R | r | /Ι:r/ | Romeo |
S | s | /es/ | Sierra |
T | t | /ti:/ | Tango |
U | u | /ju:/ | Uniform |
V | v | /vi:/ | Victor |
W | w | /ΛdΚblju:/ | Whiskey |
X | x | /eks/ | X-ray |
Y | y | /waΙͺ/ | Yankee |
Z | z | /zed/ (or /ziΛ/ in AE) | Zulu |
4. Pronunciation challenges in English
English pronunciation can often be challenging, even for those whoβve been studying the language for a while. The reason for this is the inconsistency in how certain letters or combinations of letters are pronounced in different words. Consider the letter βiβ. In the word βshipβ [ΚΙͺp], the βiβ sounds short, similar to the βiβ in βlipβ [lΙͺp]. However, in βsheepβ [ΚiΛp], the βiβ elongates, resembling the βeeβ in βsleepβ [sliΛp]. Similarly, the letter βaβ varies greatly in pronunciation. In βcatβ [kΓ¦t], it has a short, crisp sound. Yet, in βgameβ [geΙͺm], the βaβ sounds long, like the βaβ in βnameβ [neΙͺm].
To help you practice your English pronunciation, click the audio symbol next to each word in the table below and listen to how native speakers pronounce it.