How to Make a Code Wheel

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

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

Steps

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/4f\/Make-a-Code-Wheel-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-a-Code-Wheel-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/4f\/Make-a-Code-Wheel-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid1293454-v4-728px-Make-a-Code-Wheel-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    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. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/ef\/Make-a-Code-Wheel-Step-2-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-a-Code-Wheel-Step-2-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/ef\/Make-a-Code-Wheel-Step-2-Version-3.jpg\/aid1293454-v4-728px-Make-a-Code-Wheel-Step-2-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Use a protractor to get each segment the same size -- they should be about 13.8 degrees each
    Advertisement
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/5d\/Make-a-Code-Wheel-Step-3-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-a-Code-Wheel-Step-3-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/5d\/Make-a-Code-Wheel-Step-3-Version-2.jpg\/aid1293454-v4-728px-Make-a-Code-Wheel-Step-3-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/cb\/Make-a-Code-Wheel-Step-4-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-a-Code-Wheel-Step-4-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/cb\/Make-a-Code-Wheel-Step-4-Version-2.jpg\/aid1293454-v4-728px-Make-a-Code-Wheel-Step-4-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    4.
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e5\/Make-a-Code-Wheel-Step-5-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-a-Code-Wheel-Step-5-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e5\/Make-a-Code-Wheel-Step-5-Version-2.jpg\/aid1293454-v4-728px-Make-a-Code-Wheel-Step-5-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    When writing the letter, look at the inner wheel and write down the letter that is matched on the outer wheel.
  6. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/b6\/Make-a-Code-Wheel-Step-6-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-a-Code-Wheel-Step-6-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b6\/Make-a-Code-Wheel-Step-6-Version-2.jpg\/aid1293454-v4-728px-Make-a-Code-Wheel-Step-6-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    For additional complexity, use a cipher that changes on each letter (such as the digits of π or the numerical digits of a sentence).
    7. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    Can I use number code instead of alphabet?
    Community Answer
    No because unless you pre-coded, you will just have numbers that mean nothing.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 18 Helpful 17
  • Question
    How do I decipher numerical codes? Do I search for the most common ones?
    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.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 8 Helpful 17
  • Question
    What if I don't have a protractor?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Use a drawing compass or a pot lid.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 0 Helpful 1
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      Things You'll Need

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

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Learn Morse Code
      How to Invent and Decode Secret Ciphers and Codes
      Morse Code for "I Love You"
      How to
      Decipher a Secret Code
      6 Easy Ways to Write & Read Invisible Ink Messages
      How to
      Write in Code
      How to
      Make Your Own Secret Language
      How to
      Use Constrained Writing to Send a Secret Message
      How to
      Mirror Write
      How to
      Create Substitution Ciphers
      How to
      Fold a Note
      How to
      Make an Invisible Ink Pen
      How to
      Encode and Decode Using the Vigènere Cipher
      How to
      Decode a Caesar Box Code
      Advertisement

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 55,554 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement