Convert Text to Baudot Code
Encode your text into 5-bit Baudot ITA2 sequences used in historical teleprinter communication.
Historical Accuracy
Accurate ITA2 (International Telegraph Alphabet No. 2) implementation with LTRS/FIGS switching.
Secure Processing
No data transmission. All encoding is performed locally in your browser for total privacy.
Instant Encoding
Highly optimized algorithm for real-time conversion of long texts and documents.
Try These Examples
Hello World
Encode a simple greeting into 5-bit Baudot binary with space separation.
Numbers & Punctuation
Encode a sentence with digits and symbols, demonstrating FIGS shifts.
Comma-Separated Output
Encode uppercase text with commas between each 5-bit code group.
The Ultimate Guide to Baudot Code Encoding
What is Baudot Code?
Baudot code is a character set predating ASCII, originally designed by Émile Baudot in the late 19th century. It is a 5-bit code, meaning it uses combinations of five binary pulses to represent characters.
The most common variant today is ITA2 (International Telegraph Alphabet No. 2), which was the standard for teleprinters and telex machines worldwide for decades.
How 5-Bit Encoding Works
Since 5 bits can only represent 32 unique values (25), Baudot code uses two special "shift" characters to expand its capacity:
- LTRS (Letters): Switches to the alphabetic set (A-Z).
- FIGS (Figures): Switches to numbers and punctuation.
Historical Significance
Early Networking
Baudot was the foundation for the global Telex network, the first international text-based communication system.
Radio RTTY
Amateur radio operators still use Baudot ITA2 for Radioteletype (RTTY) digital mode communications.
Binary Origin
As a fixed-length binary code, Baudot was a critical step toward the development of modern digital computing.