anytools

Crypto tools

Rail Fence decode

Rail Fence decode, classical cipher, a puzzle not a protection, computed on your device.

Runs on your device. The file is never uploaded.

Rail Fence decode counts your characters, works out the length of each rail from the zigzag, then reads the rails back into their original order. Rails default to 3 and have to match the encoder. A different count returns another permutation of the same characters, with no error to mark it.

Input

Options

Questions

What do I need to decode?

The rail count used to encode. The tool reconstructs the zigzag, counts how many characters belong to each rail, slices your text into those runs, then walks the pattern to put every character back in place.

Why did I get the same text back?

Check the rail count matches the one used to encode. A wrong count returns a different permutation rather than an error, so text that looks scrambled after decoding means the number was wrong, not the ciphertext.

Why is my output scrambled?

The rail count does not match the one used to encode. Transposition is exact: the right number returns your text, and every other number returns a different permutation with no error to warn you.

What if I do not know the rail count?

Try each value from 2 upward. The search space is tiny and the correct one is obvious the moment words appear.

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