Column Codes

Used by the ancient Greeks, writing a message in columns is a good way of sending secret messages to friends.

First agree a key e.g. CODES

Then number the letters in the key alphabetically.

Then write your message underneath. Say we have hidden a treat for our friend to find under a red chair.

C

O

D

E

S

1

4

2

3

5

I

T

I

S

U

N

D

E

R

T

H

E

R

E

D

C

H

A

I

R

Finally write out the code in regular groups in the order of the numbered columns. It is simply an anagram in a regular pattern, but hard to crack quickly unless you know the key.

INHC   IERA   SREI   TDEH   UTDR

Our Verdict: With the key, your friend should be able to find the treat … if they’re a cunning code cracker too.

Can you crack column codes?    Try this one