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: Many standard letter-rearrangement methods have been tested: columnar grids at many widths, rail fence, spiral, zigzag, route ciphers, and more (the table below lists each record and, where recorded, how many settings it tried). 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.

68 eliminations recorded.

Title	Configs	Best	Verdict	Tier
Double columnar (6 width pairs, w7-9) + single columnar (w10-12) + keyword columnar (w13-15) Repeating-key lengths 8 and 13 only, using two rounds of columnar transposition applied back-to-back. Every combination within the stated scope was te…	667,000,000,000	18/24	NOISE	Tier 2
Double columnar transposition + repeating-key Vigenere (widths 5-7, plus 7x8 and 8x7) Every column order for each width pair, key lengths 3 to 15, with the Vigenere step applied before both column shuffles, using two rounds of columnar …	1,200,000,000	15/24	NOISE	Tier 2
Turning grille transposition 10x10 grid, small random sample, using a method that uses a card with holes (a grille, often rotated between passes) to pick out letters. 28.0 million…	28,000,420	16/24	NOISE	Tier 3
Expanded keyword columnar + Myszkowski sweep (293 thematic keywords) Tested a method based on rearranging the order of letters. Every combination within the stated scope was tested (15.0 million configurations); none pr…	15,000,000	18/24	NOISE	Tier 2
Cryptiana Vle Columnar Tested a method that writes text into a grid and reads columns in a keyword-determined order (columnar transposition). 10.5 million key/parameter comb…	10,466,820	N/A	NOISE	N/A
First free-alignment campaign: classical cipher families scored with the known plaintext words allowed to l... And anywhere in the output, not just at their carved positions (six arms incl, using a method that writes text into a grid and reads columns in a keyw…	5,968,842	10/24	ELIMINATED	N/A
AMSCO + disrupted columnar transposition (Swapped, Nihilist) At widths 5-8 only, using a columnar transposition variant that alternates between 1 and 2 characters per cell. Every combination within the stated sc…	4,435,200	15/24	NOISE	Tier 2
Triple sequential columnar transposition + substitution/running key Tested a method that writes text into a grid and reads columns in a keyword-determined order (columnar transposition). 2.6 million key/parameter combi…	2,560,479	8/24	NOISE	N/A
Myszkowski transposition At width 7 only, with a repeating-key Vigenere or Beaufort, using a columnar transposition variant where repeated keyword letters create tied columns.…	2,459,236	6/24	NOISE	Tier 2
C6 — 3-layer non-columnar composition enumeration Tested a method that writes text into a grid and reads columns in a keyword-determined order (columnar transposition). 838 thousand key/parameter comb…	838,350	7/24	NOISE	N/A
K3-style rotation grid applied to K4 Single rotations at grid widths 2 to 48, using a method that reads text from a grid in various rotated arrangements. Every combination within the stat…	444,582	6/24	NOISE	Tier 2
Ts Counter Directional Tested a method that writes text into a grid and reads it along a path (spiral, zigzag, etc.). 441 thousand key/parameter combinations were tested.	441,128	6/24	NOISE	N/A
Three-layer mask hypothesis: CT = Mask + Columnar(Vig(PT, key)) Tested a method that writes text into a grid and reads columns in a keyword-determined order (columnar transposition). 161 thousand key/parameter comb…	161,280	N/A	NOISE	N/A
Rail fence / redefence transposition 3-14 rails, 7-letter repeating key, using a method that writes text in a zigzag pattern across rows (rail fence cipher). 136 thousand key/parameter co…	136,230	14/24	NOISE	Tier 3
Blitz Wildcard Tested computer-optimized letter rearrangement using simulated annealing. 67 thousand key/parameter combinations were tested.	66,866	N/A	NOISE	N/A
Grid route cipher (spiral, diagonal, zigzag) + Caesar/KA substitution Tested a method that writes text into a grid and reads it along a path (spiral, zigzag, etc.). 52 thousand key/parameter combinations were tested.	52,140	N/A	NOISE	N/A
Route transposition at periods 8, 13 and 16, plus double routes Route transpositions (serpentine, spiral and others, single and double) combined with a repeating-key substitution at periods 8, 13 and 16, using a me…	52,104	19/24	NOISE	N/A
Non-columnar width-7 transpositions Tested a method that writes text into a grid and reads columns in a keyword-determined order (columnar transposition). 51 thousand key/parameter combi…	50,646	18/24	ELIMINATED	N/A
Route transposition outer layer (52 routes: serpentine, spiral, diagonal, boustrophedon) combined with Quag... Mire III keyed substitution inner layer, scored after undoing the route (post-transposition alignment), using a method that writes text into a grid an…	25,272	6/24	ELIMINATED	N/A
Bean's incomplete route transposition on null-extracted 73-char text Tested a method that writes text into a grid and reads it along a path (spiral, zigzag, etc.). 23 thousand key/parameter combinations were tested.	22,632	N/A	NOISE	N/A
Cryptiana Hourglass Grille Tested a method that uses a card with holes (a grille, often rotated between passes) to pick out letters. 3 thousand key/parameter combinations were t…	3,142	N/A	NOISE	N/A
Rectangular grid route transposition (6 routes, all grids up to 20x20) Tested a method that writes text into a grid and reads it along a path (spiral, zigzag, etc.). 2 thousand key/parameter combinations were tested.	2,172	4/24	NOISE	N/A
X Delimiter Widths Tested alternative ways of reading the carved text (backwards, alternating rows, etc.). 2 thousand key/parameter combinations were tested.	1,746	N/A	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 arrange…	1,016	4/24	NOISE	Tier 2
Aperture mask / Cardan grille experiments on K4 CT Tested a method that uses a card with holes (a grille, often rotated between passes) to pick out letters. 819 key/parameter combinations were tested.	819	2/24	NOISE	N/A
Morse E Grille K123 Transposition Tested a method that uses a card with holes (a grille, often rotated between passes) to pick out letters. 150 key/parameter combinations were tested.	150	4/24	NOISE	N/A
Blitz Numeric5 Tested computer-optimized letter rearrangement using simulated annealing. 98 key/parameter combinations were tested.	98	N/A	NOISE	N/A
Tableau cell model (E-GRILLE-11) Tested a method that uses a card with holes (a grille, often rotated between passes) to pick out letters. 73 key/parameter combinations were tested.	73	N/A	NOISE	N/A
72+1 delimiter + Polybius fractionation + SEMAPHORE key Tested alternative ways of reading the carved text (backwards, alternating rows, etc.).	N/A	N/A	NOISE	N/A
72+1 delimiter hypothesis Tested alternative ways of reading the carved text (backwards, alternating rows, etc.).	N/A	1/24	NOISE	N/A
72+1 delimiter hypothesis v2 Tested alternative ways of reading the carved text (backwards, alternating rows, etc.).	N/A	N/A	NOISE	N/A
X-delimiter extraction from K2 ciphertext Tested alternative ways of reading the carved text (backwards, alternating rows, etc.).	N/A	N/A	INCONCLUSIVE	N/A
Clock Reading Order Tested alternative ways of reading the carved text (backwards, alternating rows, etc.).	N/A	N/A	NOISE	N/A
W Delimiter Null Tested alternative ways of reading the carved text (backwards, alternating rows, etc.).	N/A	N/A	INCONCLUSIVE	N/A
Test 6f4ade3ecf9f Boustrophedon Tested alternative ways of reading the carved text (backwards, alternating rows, etc.). The best result matched all 24 known letters, but on checking …	N/A	24/24	NOISE	N/A
Width-7 columnar + non-English corpus EAST scan Tested a method that writes text into a grid and reads columns in a keyword-determined order (columnar transposition).	N/A	N/A	NOISE	N/A
Crib40 Columnar Periodic Ceiling Tested a method that writes text into a grid and reads columns in a keyword-determined order (columnar transposition).	N/A	N/A	NOISE	N/A
Close remaining columnar transposition width gaps (w2-4, w16-20) Tested a method that writes text into a grid and reads columns in a keyword-determined order (columnar transposition).	N/A	N/A	NOISE	N/A
Null palette letters {B,G,I,K,O,W,Z} as columnar transposition key Tested a method that writes text into a grid and reads columns in a keyword-determined order (columnar transposition).	N/A	N/A	NOISE	N/A
Columnar Sub Exhaustive Tested a method that writes text into a grid and reads columns in a keyword-determined order (columnar transposition). A consistency check this search…	N/A	N/A	NOISE	N/A
C1 + C2 admissibility-gated running-key + columnar Tested a method that writes text into a grid and reads columns in a keyword-determined order (columnar transposition). A consistency check this search…	N/A	N/A	NOISE	N/A
Sub Columnar Pilot Tested a method that writes text into a grid and reads columns in a keyword-determined order (columnar transposition).	N/A	N/A	NOISE	N/A
Semaphore Columnar Tested a method that writes text into a grid and reads columns in a keyword-determined order (columnar transposition).	N/A	N/A	NOISE	N/A
Audit Sbp015 Amsco Recheck Tested a columnar transposition variant that alternates between 1 and 2 characters per cell.	N/A	N/A	NOISE	N/A
S 26 Bean Manifold SA Tested computer-optimized letter rearrangement using simulated annealing.	N/A	N/A	NOISE	N/A
Grille geometry blitz, round 7 Tested a method that uses a card with holes (a grille, often rotated between passes) to pick out letters.	N/A	N/A	NOISE	N/A
Grille geometry blitz, round 8 Tested a method that uses a card with holes (a grille, often rotated between passes) to pick out letters.	N/A	N/A	NOISE	N/A
Fleissner 8x9 turning grille with delimiter + null mask + periodic sub Tested a method that uses a card with holes (a grille, often rotated between passes) to pick out letters.	N/A	N/A	NOISE	N/A
Fleissner Exploration Tested a method that uses a card with holes (a grille, often rotated between passes) to pick out letters.	N/A	N/A	NOISE	N/A
Fold-as-Cardan-Grille: (1) geometric overlay selects K4 chars, (2) YAR removal creates holes revealing tabl... Eau chars, using a method that uses a card with holes (a grille, often rotated between passes) to pick out letters.	N/A	N/A	NOISE	N/A
Installation sweep (E-GRILLE-12) Tested a method that uses a card with holes (a grille, often rotated between passes) to pick out letters.	N/A	N/A	NOISE	N/A
Field ciphers (E-GRILLE-13) Tested a method that uses a card with holes (a grille, often rotated between passes) to pick out letters.	N/A	N/A	NOISE	N/A
Fleissner Q2 Autokey Tested a method that uses a card with holes (a grille, often rotated between passes) to pick out letters. Best match: 13/24 known letters, a level tha…	N/A	13/24	ELIMINATED	N/A
Fleissner grille on Vigenère tableau as keystream source Tested a method that uses a card with holes (a grille, often rotated between passes) to pick out letters.	N/A	N/A	NOISE	N/A
Accordion fold on K1-K2 encoding chart produces K4 keystream Tested a method that writes text into a grid and reads it along a path (spiral, zigzag, etc.).	N/A	6/24	NOISE	N/A
Ts Cylindrical Rotation Tested a method that writes text into a grid and reads it along a path (spiral, zigzag, etc.).	N/A	6/24	NOISE	N/A
Ts Vertical Wordlock Tested a method that writes text into a grid and reads it along a path (spiral, zigzag, etc.).	N/A	N/A	NOISE	N/A
Serpentine 3layer Smoketest Tested a method that writes text into a grid and reads it along a path (spiral, zigzag, etc.).	N/A	8/24	NOISE	N/A
Serpentine 3layer Sweep Tested a method that writes text into a grid and reads it along a path (spiral, zigzag, etc.). Best match: 10/24 known letters, a level that searches …	N/A	10/24	NOISE	N/A
Serpentine Anomaly Sweep Tested a method that writes text into a grid and reads it along a path (spiral, zigzag, etc.).	N/A	8/24	NOISE	N/A
Serpentine Anomaly Sweep Extended Tested a method that writes text into a grid and reads it along a path (spiral, zigzag, etc.).	N/A	9/24	NOISE	N/A
Grid Asymmetry Audit Tested a method that reads text from a grid in various rotated arrangements.	N/A	N/A	NOISE	N/A
Row/column sequence structure analysis for known keystream Tested a method that reads text from a grid in various rotated arrangements.	N/A	N/A	NOISE	N/A
Width10 17 Deep Investigation Tested a method that reads text from a grid in various rotated arrangements.	N/A	N/A	NOISE	N/A
Width21 Bigram 73char Tested a method that reads text from a grid in various rotated arrangements.	N/A	N/A	NOISE	N/A
Phase 3: Stehle delta4=5 and width-21 bigram interaction analysis Tested a method that reads text from a grid in various rotated arrangements.	N/A	N/A	NOISE	N/A
Cipher attacks on top 3 CT73 candidates from width-21 mask resolution Tested a method that reads text from a grid in various rotated arrangements.	N/A	N/A	NOISE	N/A
Phase 5: Width-21 based mask resolution — C(14,7)=3,432 candidate masks Tested a method that reads text from a grid in various rotated arrangements.	N/A	N/A	NOISE	N/A