Introduction
Dovahzul, meaning "Dragon Language," is the constructed language of the dragons in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (Bethesda Game Studios, 2011). Type a message above and each English letter transforms into a dragon glyph, the angular script carved into Word Walls across the game. This translator maps the 26 letters A-Z to Private Use Area code points U+E500 through U+E519. Toggle the direction to convert dragon script back to readable text. All processing runs in your browser, so nothing leaves your device.
What this tool does
- Converts English text to Dovahzul dragon script using a one-to-one substitution where A maps to U+E500, B to U+E501, through Z at U+E519.
- Bidirectional translation: switch between text-to-Dovahzul and Dovahzul-to-text modes with one click.
- Case-insensitive encoding: both uppercase and lowercase input map to the same dragon glyph. Decode output is uppercase.
- Non-alphabet characters (numbers, punctuation, spaces, line breaks) pass through unchanged in both directions.
- Renders with any font that covers the U+E500-U+E519 range. The mapping table in settings shows every letter and its code point.
- All conversion runs client-side. No text is sent to any server.
How this tool works
The translator maintains a lookup that maps each ASCII letter A-Z (and a-z) to a Private Use Area code point. When you type text, each letter is replaced with its dragon glyph. The letter A (0x41) maps to U+E500, B (0x42) maps to U+E501, and so on through Z (0x5A) at U+E519. In decode mode, the process reverses: each dragon glyph code point in the U+E500-U+E519 range is looked up in an inverse map and converted back to its uppercase Latin letter. Characters outside the alphabet or the dragon range pass through unchanged. The output updates instantly as you type, with no page reload or server round-trip. The mode setting syncs to the URL query string, so you can share a link that preserves your current direction.
How the Dovahzul dragon script works
Bethesda Game Studios developed Dovahzul for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, released in November 2011. The language appears in the game as the speech of dragons and as the Dragon Shouts, or Thu'um, that the player character learns from Word Walls. According to the UESP wiki, the dragon script is a direct substitution over the English alphabet. Each of the 26 letters has a corresponding glyph, and the script is written left to right. The Elder Scrolls Wiki documents the vocabulary, which includes roughly 600 words drawn from game lore.
Skyrim is one of the best-selling games of all time. Bethesda reported over 60 million copies sold across all platforms as of 2023, as noted on the Wikipedia article for Skyrim. The dragon script appears on Word Walls throughout the game world, in dragon names, and in quest-related inscriptions. The Skyrim Wiki provides a full alphabet chart and translation examples. The script also appears in the Dawnguard expansion and in The Elder Scrolls Online.
There is no official Unicode encoding for the dragon script. This translator maps the 26 letters to the Private Use Area range U+E500 through U+E519. Fan fonts that cover this range will render the glyphs. Because PUA code points have no standardized meaning, the glyphs only display correctly when a Dovahzul font is installed. Without one, you may see blank boxes or fallback characters. The Wikipedia article on Dovahzul describes the language's phonology and its construction for the game.
How to use this tool
- Select the mode: "Text to Dovahzul" to convert English into dragon glyphs, or "Dovahzul to Text" to decode glyphs back to letters.
- Type or paste your text in the input field. The output updates instantly as you type.
- In encode mode, each letter A-Z is replaced with its dragon glyph at the corresponding PUA code point. In decode mode, each dragon glyph is converted back to its uppercase Latin letter.
- Use the swap button to quickly switch between encode and decode modes without retyping.
- Copy the result using the "Copy result" button. Paste it anywhere that supports Unicode, though a Dovahzul font is needed to see the glyphs.
Real-world examples
Writing a Dragon Shout in Dovahzul
A player wants to write "FUS RO DAH" (the Unrelenting Force shout) in dragon script. They type FUS RO DAH in encode mode. F maps to U+E505, U maps to U+E514, S maps to U+E512. The spaces pass through unchanged. The output is a string of dragon glyphs separated by spaces. With a Dovahzul font installed, the glyphs render as the angular letters seen on Skyrim's Word Walls.
Decoding dragon script from a screenshot
A fan finds dragon script text in a Skyrim screenshot and wants to read it. They identify the glyphs and type the corresponding PUA code points into the decode mode input. The translator reads each code point in the U+E500-U+E519 range and converts it back to the matching uppercase letter. Code points outside that range pass through unchanged. The recovered English text appears in the output field.
Engraving a Skyrim-themed prop
A crafter building a Dragonborn shield prop wants to engrave a phrase in Dovahzul. They type their English message in encode mode, copy the dragon script output, and load it into a laser engraving design tool with a Dovahzul font installed. The mapping table in the settings panel lets them verify each letter-to-glyph pairing before cutting. Since the PUA mapping is consistent, the output works with any font that follows the same range assignment.
Comparison with similar methods
| Method | Complexity | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Dovahzul (Skyrim) | Low | Skyrim fan writing, props, decorative engravings |
| Daedric Alphabet | Low | Elder Scrolls Daedric script, one glyph per letter |
| Hylian Alphabet | Low | The Legend of Zelda series scripts |
| Standard Galactic Alphabet | Low | Minecraft enchanting table, Commander Keen |
Limitations or considerations
This translator is a simple letter substitution. It maps each English letter to one dragon glyph code point and back. It does not handle Dovahzul grammar, vocabulary, or the game's actual word translations. To write real Dovahzul sentences, consult the word list on the UESP wiki. The dragon glyphs only render when a font covering the U+E500-U+E519 range is installed. Without such a font, you may see blank boxes. This is not encryption. Anyone with the mapping table can decode the text. For actual encryption, use the AES block cipher or RSA Key Inspector. For other fictional alphabets, try the Daedric Alphabet, the Hylian Alphabet, the Standard Galactic Alphabet, or the Aurebesh translator.
Frequently asked questions
What is Dovahzul?
Dovahzul is the constructed dragon language from The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, developed by Bethesda Game Studios in 2011. The name means "Dragon Language" in the game's lore. It is the language of the dragons and the Dragon Shouts (Thu'um). The script is a substitution over the English alphabet with one glyph per letter.
Is there official Unicode for the Dovahzul dragon script?
No. The Unicode Consortium has not assigned standard code points for the dragon script. This translator maps the 26 letters to the Private Use Area range U+E500 through U+E519. Fan fonts that cover this range will render the glyphs, but any PUA assignment is by convention only and not standardized.
Why do I see blank boxes instead of dragon letters?
The dragon glyphs live in the Unicode Private Use Area. Standard system fonts do not cover this range. You need a Dovahzul font installed to see the glyphs render. Without one, browsers show blank boxes or fallback characters.
Does this tool translate English to Dovahzul words?
No. This tool substitutes each English letter with its dragon glyph. It does not translate English words into Dovahzul vocabulary. Writing actual Dovahzul requires learning the game's word list. The UESP wiki and Elder Scrolls Wiki maintain documented vocabularies of about 600 words.
Is the Dovahzul script a cipher?
No. It is a simple character substitution with a fixed, publicly known mapping. It provides no security. Anyone with the mapping table can reverse the conversion. It is a writing system for a constructed game language, not a cryptographic tool.
Conclusion
The Dovahzul translator converts English text to and from the dragon language script of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. Type your message, toggle the direction, and copy the output. Install a Dovahzul font to see the glyphs render. For more fictional alphabet tools, try the Daedric Alphabet, the Hylian Alphabet, the Standard Galactic Alphabet, or the Aurebesh translator.