Transposition Ciphers


Transposition ciphers, sometimes called "rail fence ciphers," are a unique and fun way to encipher a message. There are lots of ways to create transposition ciphers. An example of one type of transposition cipher is given below.

Write our your secret message on two lines, writing one letter on the top line, the next letter on the second line, until the entire message has been written. Then write out your message by writing the the characters from the first and then second line in order!


Plain Message:  THIS IS FUN!

Line 1:   T     I     I     F     N

Line 2:     H     S     S     U     !

Enciphered Message:  TIIFNHSSU!
You can try other ways for making a transposition cipher as well. After transposing your message on two lines you may want to write out your enciphered message by starting at the end of the second line, working your way right to left, until the entire message is written. An example is given below.


Plain Message:  THIS IS FUN!

Line 1:     T     I     I      F      N

Line 2:        H     S     S     U       !

Enciphered Message:  !USSHNFIIT


Can you think of another way to encipher a transpositioned message?