Transposition

Methods that scramble the order of letters without changing them, like writing a message into a grid and reading it back in a different order. Includes columnar, rail fence, route, and grille ciphers.

What we tested: Every standard letter-rearrangement method has been tested: columnar grids at all widths, rail fence, spiral, zigzag, route ciphers, and more — 14 different families, over 1.2 billion combinations. None produced a solution. Pure rearrangement alone is also independently impossible: the ciphertext has 2 E's but the known plaintext needs 3, so some letter-replacement must also be involved.

63 eliminations recorded.

Title	Configs	Best	Verdict	Tier
Double columnar exhaustive (w7-9) + single columnar exhaustive (w10-12) + keyword columnar (w13-15) Dragnet v4: Double columnar exhaustive (w7-9) + single columnar exhaustive (w10-12) + keyword columnar (w13-15) — using two rounds of columnar transpo…	667,000,000,000	18/24 (0.0)	NOISE	Tier 2
Double columnar transposition (all keyword pairs, widths 5-15) Double columnar transposition (all keyword pairs, widths 5-15) — using two rounds of columnar transposition applied back-to-back. Every possible combi…	1,200,000,000	15/24 (0.0)	NOISE	Tier 2
RS 44-style grid mask + keyed column reading (TICOM-inspired) RS 44-style grid mask + keyed column reading (TICOM-inspired) — using a method using a physical card with holes that rotates to select letters (grille…	689,686,816	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
RS 44 authentic 24-row grid on cipher panel (868 chars) and K4 alone RS 44 authentic 24-row grid on cipher panel (868 chars) and K4 alone — using a method using a physical card with holes that rotates to select letters …	215,921,500	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
K4 = Vig FIRST → ColTrans (reverse K3) OR ColTrans → Vig (K3 method) K4 = Vig FIRST → ColTrans (reverse K3) OR ColTrans → Vig (K3 method) — using a method that reads text from a grid in various rotated arrangements. 109…	109,899,094	9/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Expanded keyword columnar + Myszkowski sweep (293 thematic keywords) Expanded keyword columnar + Myszkowski sweep (293 thematic keywords) — using a method based on rearranging the order of letters. Every possible combin…	15,000,000	18/24 (0.0)	NOISE: 18/24 at period 13 (expected random ~13.5 at p=13; false positive from underdetermination)	Tier 2
Cryptiana Vle Columnar Cryptiana Vle Columnar — using a method that writes text into a grid and reads columns in a keyword-determined order (columnar transposition). 10.5 mi…	10,466,820	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
8-row grid transposition from Sanborn handwritten notes 8-row grid transposition from Sanborn handwritten notes — using a method that reads text from a grid in various rotated arrangements. 4.5 million key/…	4,500,000	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Triple sequential columnar transposition + substitution/running key Triple sequential columnar transposition + substitution/running key — using a method that writes text into a grid and reads columns in a keyword-deter…	2,560,479	8/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
AMSCO + disrupted columnar transposition (Swapped, Nihilist) AMSCO + disrupted columnar transposition (Swapped, Nihilist) at widths 5-14 — using a columnar transposition variant that alternates between 1 and 2 c…	800,000	15/24 (0.0)	NOISE: 15/24 at period 8 only; period 7 = 0/24; Bean FAIL	Tier 2
Ts Counter Directional Ts Counter Directional — using a method that writes text into a grid and reads it along a path (spiral, zigzag, etc.). 441 thousand key/parameter comb…	441,128	6/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Myszkowski transposition Myszkowski transposition at all viable widths — using a columnar transposition variant where repeated keyword letters create tied columns. Every possi…	200,000	6/24 (0.0)	NOISE	Tier 2
Three-layer mask hypothesis: CT = Mask + Columnar(Vig(PT, key)) Three-layer mask hypothesis: CT = Mask + Columnar(Vig(PT, key)) — using a method that writes text into a grid and reads columns in a keyword-determine…	161,280	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Blitz Wildcard Blitz Wildcard — using computer-optimized letter rearrangement using simulated annealing. 67 thousand key/parameter combinations were tested.	66,866	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Grid route cipher (spiral, diagonal, zigzag) + Caesar/KA substitution Grid route cipher (spiral, diagonal, zigzag) + Caesar/KA substitution — using a method that writes text into a grid and reads it along a path (spiral,…	52,140	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Route transposition at Bean-surviving periods + double routes Route transposition at Bean-surviving periods + double routes — using a method that writes text into a grid and reads it along a path (spiral, zigzag,…	52,104	19/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Non-columnar width-7 transpositions Non-columnar width-7 transpositions — using a method that writes text into a grid and reads columns in a keyword-determined order (columnar transposit…	50,646	18/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Turning grille transposition Turning grille transposition (Fleissner-style, all compatible grid sizes) — using a method using a physical card with holes that rotates to select let…	50,000	4/24 (0.0)	NOISE	Tier 2
K1-K3 plaintext/ciphertext as running key for K4 K1-K3 plaintext/ciphertext as running key for K4 — using a method using a physical card with holes that rotates to select letters (grille cipher). 48 …	48,228	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Bean's incomplete route transposition on null-extracted 73-char text Bean's incomplete route transposition on null-extracted 73-char text — using a method that writes text into a grid and reads it along a path (spiral, …	22,632	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Cryptiana Hourglass Grille Cryptiana Hourglass Grille — using a method using a physical card with holes that rotates to select letters (grille cipher). 3 thousand key/parameter …	3,142	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Rectangular grid route transposition (6 routes, all grids up to 20x20) Rectangular grid route transposition (6 routes, all grids up to 20x20) — using a method that writes text into a grid and reads it along a path (spiral…	2,172	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
X Delimiter Widths X Delimiter Widths — using alternative ways of reading the carved text (backwards, alternating rows, etc.). 2 thousand key/parameter combinations were…	1,746	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
K3-style rotational transposition applied to K4 (CW/CCW, pad 0-5) K3-style rotational transposition applied to K4 — CW/CCW grid rotation, pad 0-5 — using a method that reads text from a grid in various rotated arrang…	1,016	4/24 (0.0)	NOISE	Tier 2
Aperture mask / Cardan grille experiments on K4 CT Aperture mask / Cardan grille experiments on K4 CT — using a method using a physical card with holes that rotates to select letters (grille cipher). 8…	819	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	Tier 4
K3-style rotation grid applied to K4 K3-style rotation grid (42x8) applied to K4 — using a method that reads text from a grid in various rotated arrangements. Every possible combination w…	500	3/24 (0.0)	NOISE	Tier 2
Verdigris Keyword Verdigris Keyword — using a method using a physical card with holes that rotates to select letters (grille cipher). 174 key/parameter combinations wer…	174	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Blitz Numeric5 Blitz Numeric5 — using computer-optimized letter rearrangement using simulated annealing. 98 key/parameter combinations were tested.	98	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Autokey Permuted Autokey Permuted — using a method using a physical card with holes that rotates to select letters (grille cipher). 96 key/parameter combinations were …	96	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Grille Grille — using a method using a physical card with holes that rotates to select letters (grille cipher). 73 key/parameter combinations were tested.	73	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Rail fence / redefence transposition Rail fence / redefence transposition (2-20 rails) — using a method that writes text in a zigzag pattern across rows (rail fence cipher). Every possibl…	20	3/24 (0.0)	NOISE	Tier 2
72+1 delimiter + Polybius fractionation + SEMAPHORE key 72+1 delimiter + Polybius fractionation + SEMAPHORE key — using alternative ways of reading the carved text (backwards, alternating rows, etc.).	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
72+1 delimiter hypothesis 72+1 delimiter hypothesis — using alternative ways of reading the carved text (backwards, alternating rows, etc.).	N/A	1/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
72+1 delimiter hypothesis v2 72+1 delimiter hypothesis v2 — using alternative ways of reading the carved text (backwards, alternating rows, etc.).	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
X-delimiter extraction from K2 ciphertext X-delimiter extraction from K2 ciphertext — using alternative ways of reading the carved text (backwards, alternating rows, etc.).	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Width-7 columnar + non-English corpus EAST scan Width-7 columnar + non-English corpus EAST scan — using a method that writes text into a grid and reads columns in a keyword-determined order (columna…	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	Tier 4
Close remaining columnar transposition width gaps (w2-4, w16-20) Close remaining columnar transposition width gaps (w2-4, w16-20) — using a method that writes text into a grid and reads columns in a keyword-determin…	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Null palette letters {B,G,I,K,O,W,Z} as columnar transposition key Null palette letters {B,G,I,K,O,W,Z} as columnar transposition key — using a method that writes text into a grid and reads columns in a keyword-determ…	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Semaphore Columnar Semaphore Columnar — using a method that writes text into a grid and reads columns in a keyword-determined order (columnar transposition).	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Blitz V7 Blitz V7 — using computer-optimized letter rearrangement using simulated annealing.	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Blitz V8 Blitz V8 — using computer-optimized letter rearrangement using simulated annealing.	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
S 26 Bean Manifold SA S 26 Bean Manifold SA — using computer-optimized letter rearrangement using simulated annealing.	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
CSP P23 W15 Beau CSP P23 W15 Beau — using a method using a physical card with holes that rotates to select letters (grille cipher).	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Comprehensive autokey cipher attack on K4 Comprehensive autokey cipher attack on K4 — using a method using a physical card with holes that rotates to select letters (grille cipher).	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Clock Reading Order Clock Reading Order — using a method using a physical card with holes that rotates to select letters (grille cipher).	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Fleissner 8x9 turning grille with delimiter + null mask + periodic sub Fleissner 8x9 turning grille with delimiter + null mask + periodic sub — using a method using a physical card with holes that rotates to select letter…	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Fleissner Exploration Fleissner Exploration — using a method using a physical card with holes that rotates to select letters (grille cipher).	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Fold-as-Cardan-Grille: (1) geometric overlay selects K4 chars, (2) YAR removal creates holes revealing tableau chars Fold-as-Cardan-Grille: (1) geometric overlay selects K4 chars, (2) YAR removal creates holes revealing tableau chars — using a method using a physical…	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Grille Grille — using a method using a physical card with holes that rotates to select letters (grille cipher).	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Grille Grille — using a method using a physical card with holes that rotates to select letters (grille cipher).	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Fleissner Q2 Autokey Fleissner Q2 Autokey — using a method using a physical card with holes that rotates to select letters (grille cipher). Best match: 13/24 known letters…	N/A	13/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Fleissner grille on Vigenère tableau as keystream source Fleissner grille on Vigenère tableau as keystream source — using a method using a physical card with holes that rotates to select letters (grille ciph…	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Null Mask CSP Null Mask CSP — using a method using a physical card with holes that rotates to select letters (grille cipher).	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Accordion fold on K1-K2 encoding chart produces K4 keystream Accordion fold on K1-K2 encoding chart produces K4 keystream — using a method that writes text into a grid and reads it along a path (spiral, zigzag, …	N/A	6/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Ts Cylindrical Rotation Ts Cylindrical Rotation — using a method that writes text into a grid and reads it along a path (spiral, zigzag, etc.).	N/A	6/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Ts Vertical Wordlock Ts Vertical Wordlock — using a method that writes text into a grid and reads it along a path (spiral, zigzag, etc.).	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Grid Asymmetry Audit Grid Asymmetry Audit — using a method that reads text from a grid in various rotated arrangements.	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Row/column sequence structure analysis for known keystream Row/column sequence structure analysis for known keystream — using a method that reads text from a grid in various rotated arrangements.	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Width10 17 Deep Investigation Width10 17 Deep Investigation — using a method that reads text from a grid in various rotated arrangements.	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Width21 Bigram 73char Width21 Bigram 73char — using a method that reads text from a grid in various rotated arrangements.	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Phase 3: Stehle delta4=5 and width-21 bigram interaction analysis Phase 3: Stehle delta4=5 and width-21 bigram interaction analysis — using a method that reads text from a grid in various rotated arrangements.	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Cipher attacks on top 3 CT73 candidates from width-21 mask resolution Cipher attacks on top 3 CT73 candidates from width-21 mask resolution — using a method that reads text from a grid in various rotated arrangements.	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Phase 5: Width-21 based mask resolution — C(14,7)=3,432 candidate masks Phase 5: Width-21 based mask resolution — C(14,7)=3,432 candidate masks — using a method that reads text from a grid in various rotated arrangements.	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A