1. What is Gematria?

Gematria is an alphanumeric code of assigning a numerical value to a name, word or phrase based on its letters. It was used in ancient and medieval times by Jewish, Christian, and Islamic mystics to find hidden meanings in sacred texts.

2. Calculation Methods

This calculator supports two primary methods:

Example Calculation for "HELLO":

• Ordinal: H(8) + E(5) + L(12) + L(12) + O(15) = 52
• Reduced: H(8) + E(5) + L(1+2=3) + L(1+2=3) + O(1+5=6) = 25

3. Historical Context

Details: Gematria has roots in ancient Assyro-Babylonian culture and was adopted into Jewish tradition. It's prominently used in Kabbalah and appears in the Talmud and other rabbinic literature.

4. Using the Calculator

Instructions: Enter any text (letters only, case insensitive), select calculation method, and click Calculate. The tool will show the total value and breakdown of each letter's contribution.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Does punctuation or spacing affect the calculation?
A: No, only alphabetic characters are considered in the calculation.

Q2: Are there other gematria methods?
A: Yes, other systems include Jewish, English, and Simple gematria with different letter values.

Q3: How is gematria used today?
A: Modern uses include numerology, Bible study, and as a literary device in fiction.

Q4: What's the significance of specific numbers?
A: Certain numbers have traditional meanings (e.g., 7 for completeness, 13 for rebellion).

Q5: Can this calculator handle non-English letters?
A: Currently it only processes standard A-Z letters. Accented characters are treated as their base letter.