Create a code wheel to easily translate between letters using a Caesar Cipher.

Steps

  1. 1
    You need two concentric circles (one circle should be larger than the other). Punch a hole in the middle of both and attach with a brass fastener so the top wheel (the smaller one) can move independent of the bottom wheel.
  2. 2
    Drawing over the entire circle, divide into 26 sections. Use a protractor to get each segment the same size -- they should be about 13.8 degrees each
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  3. 3
    Write the letters of the alphabet, in order, on both circles.
  4. 4
    To use, determine a number to use a cipher, for example: 4.
  5. 5
    Turn the inner wheel that number of turns (so A >> E, B >> F, etc). When writing the letter, look at the inner wheel and write down the letter that is matched on the outer wheel.
  6. 6
    For additional complexity, use a cipher that changes on each letter (such as the digits of π or the numerical digits of a sentence).
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Community Q&A

  • Question
    Can I use number code instead of alphabet?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    No because unless you pre-coded, you will just have numbers that mean nothing.
  • Question
    How do I decipher numerical codes? Do I search for the most common ones?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Make the inner ones in the smaller circle numbers 1-26 instead of letters. Make sure they are still at the same angle or if everything to be numbers, just replace everything with numbers 1-26.
  • Question
    What if I don't have a protractor?
    Donagan
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Use a drawing compass or a pot lid.
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Things You'll Need

  • Scissors
  • 2 paper plates or construction paper
  • A pencil, pen, or marker
  • Paper piercer
  • A brad
  • A ruler.

About This Article

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 12 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 44,689 times.
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Co-authors: 12
Updated: February 24, 2023
Views: 44,689
Categories: Cryptography
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