Gematria Calculator (Hebrew letter values, mispar gadol & English A=1–Z=26)

Understanding the gematria calculator — concept and principle

This calculator adds up the number values of the letters in a Hebrew word or phrase, using standard gematria or mispar gadol, and also gives a simple ordinal value for English letters and the digital root. It is used in the study of Jewish texts, in name and word comparisons, and out of curiosity about the tradition.

How it is calculated

• Standard values (mispar hechrachi): א–ט = 1–9, י–צ = 10–90, ק–ת = 100–400. The final forms ך ם ן ף ץ keep the value of the ordinary letter.
• Mispar gadol: the final forms continue the series as 500, 600, 700, 800 and 900.
• Vowel points and other marks are ignored.
• English letters: A = 1, B = 2 … Z = 26 (simple ordinal sum).
• Digital root = repeat the digit sum until one digit remains: 1 + (n − 1) mod 9.

The principle

In Hebrew, as in Greek, letters were traditionally also used as numerals. The 22 letters cover units, tens and hundreds up to 400, so any word has a numerical value. Gematria uses these sums to link words with equal values, a technique found in rabbinic and later Kabbalistic literature. Different methods give different totals, which is why the method must always be stated. The English ordinal sum is a modern scheme and has no historical link to the Hebrew system.

Worked example

Default inputs: שלום, standard values.

1. ש = 300, ל = 30, ו = 6, ם (final mem) = 40.
2. Total = 300 + 30 + 6 + 40 = 376.
3. Hebrew letters counted = 4; Latin letters = 0, so the English value is "—".
4. Digital root: 3 + 7 + 6 = 16, then 1 + 6 = 7.
5. Letter values: ש300 + ל30 + ו6 + ם40. With mispar gadol, ם would count 600, giving 936.

How to read the result

A gematria value is a cultural and interpretive tool, not a measurement. Equal values between words are used in commentary and teaching, but traditions differ on how much weight to give them. When comparing with a book or website, check which method it uses and whether it counts final forms differently.

Common mistakes

• Mixing standard values with mispar gadol.
• Typing a similar-looking letter, such as ו for ן.
• Expecting the English ordinal sum to match a Hebrew value.
• Including spaces or punctuation by accident; they are ignored here.

Frequently asked questions

What is the gematria of שלום?

376 with standard values, or 936 with mispar gadol.

What is mispar gadol?

A method in which the five final letter forms count 500 to 900.

Does gematria work for English?

There is no traditional English gematria; the page shows a simple A = 1 to Z = 26 sum.

Sources: Encyclopaedia Judaica, "Gematria" · Wikipedia, "Gematria" (table of letter values and mispar gadol)