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.

74 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) Tested two rounds of columnar transposition applied back-to-back. Every possible combination was tested (1.2 billion configurations) — none produced a…	1,200,000,000	15/24 (0.0)	NOISE	Tier 2
RS 44-style grid mask + keyed column reading (TICOM-inspired) Tested a method using a physical card with holes that rotates to select letters (grille cipher). 689.7 million key/parameter combinations were tested.	689,686,816	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
RS 44 authentic 24-row grid on cipher panel (868 chars) and K4 alone Tested a method using a physical card with holes that rotates to select letters (grille cipher). 215.9 million key/parameter combinations were tested.	215,921,500	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
K4 = Vig FIRST → ColTrans (reverse K3) OR ColTrans → Vig (K3 method) Tested a method that reads text from a grid in various rotated arrangements. 109.9 million key/parameter combinations were tested.	109,899,094	9/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Expanded keyword columnar + Myszkowski sweep (293 thematic keywords) Tested a method based on rearranging the order of letters. Every possible combination was tested (15.0 million configurations) — none produced a valid…	15,000,000	18/24 (0.0)	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	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
8-row grid transposition from Sanborn handwritten notes Tested a method that reads text from a grid in various rotated arrangements. 4.5 million key/parameter combinations were tested.	4,500,000	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
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 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
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	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
AMSCO + disrupted columnar transposition (Swapped, Nihilist) At widths 5-14 — using a columnar transposition variant that alternates between 1 and 2 characters per cell. Every possible combination was tested (80…	800,000	15/24 (0.0)	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 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Myszkowski transposition At all viable widths — using a columnar transposition variant where repeated keyword letters create tied columns. Every possible combination was teste…	200,000	6/24 (0.0)	NOISE	Tier 2
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	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Blitz Wildcard Tested 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 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	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Route transposition at Bean-surviving periods + double routes 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. Bes…	52,104	19/24 (0.0)	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 (0.0)	ELIMINATED	N/A
Turning grille transposition (Fleissner-style, all compatible grid sizes) — using a method using a physical card with holes that rotates to select letters (grille cipher). Every p…	50,000	4/24 (0.0)	NOISE	Tier 2
K1-K3 plaintext/ciphertext as running key for K4 Tested a method using a physical card with holes that rotates to select letters (grille cipher). 48 thousand key/parameter combinations were tested.	48,228	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	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	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Cryptiana Hourglass Grille Tested a method using a physical card with holes that rotates to select letters (grille cipher). 3 thousand key/parameter combinations were tested.	3,142	0/24 (0.0)	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	0/24 (0.0)	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	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 Tested a method using a physical card with holes that rotates to select letters (grille cipher). 819 key/parameter combinations were tested.	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 Tested a method using a physical card with holes that rotates to select letters (grille cipher). 174 key/parameter combinations were tested.	174	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Morse E Grille K123 Transposition Tested a method using a physical card with holes that rotates to select letters (grille cipher). 150 key/parameter combinations were tested.	150	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Blitz Numeric5 Tested computer-optimized letter rearrangement using simulated annealing. 98 key/parameter combinations were tested.	98	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Autokey Permuted Tested a method using a physical card with holes that rotates to select letters (grille cipher). 96 key/parameter combinations were tested.	96	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Grille Tested 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 (2-20 rails) — using a method that writes text in a zigzag pattern across rows (rail fence cipher). Every possible combination was tested (20 configur…	20	3/24 (0.0)	NOISE	Tier 2
72+1 delimiter + Polybius fractionation + SEMAPHORE key Tested alternative ways of reading the carved text (backwards, alternating rows, etc.).	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
72+1 delimiter hypothesis Tested 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 Tested 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 Tested alternative ways of reading the carved text (backwards, alternating rows, etc.).	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
W Delimiter Null Tested alternative ways of reading the carved text (backwards, alternating rows, etc.).	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Test 6f4ade3ecf9f Boustrophedon Tested 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 Tested 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	Tier 4
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	0/24 (0.0)	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	0/24 (0.0)	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).	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	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).	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	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	0/24 (0.0)	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	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Blitz V7 Tested computer-optimized letter rearrangement using simulated annealing.	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Blitz V8 Tested computer-optimized letter rearrangement using simulated annealing.	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
S 26 Bean Manifold SA Tested computer-optimized letter rearrangement using simulated annealing.	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
CSP P23 W15 Beau Tested 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 Tested 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 Tested 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 Tested 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 Exploration Tested 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 Tested 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 Tested 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 Tested 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 Tested a method using a physical card with holes that rotates to select letters (grille cipher). Best match: 13/24 known letters — slightly above rand…	N/A	13/24 (0.0)	ELIMINATED	N/A
Fleissner grille on Vigenère tableau as keystream source Tested a method using a physical card with holes that rotates to select letters (grille cipher).	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Null Mask CSP Tested 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 Tested 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 Cylindrical Rotation Tested 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 Tested 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
Serpentine 3layer Smoketest Tested 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
Serpentine 3layer Sweep Tested 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
Serpentine Anomaly Sweep Tested 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
Serpentine Anomaly Sweep Extended Tested 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 Tested 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 Tested 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 Tested a method that reads text from a grid in various rotated arrangements.	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Width21 Bigram 73char Tested 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 Tested 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 Tested 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 Tested a method that reads text from a grid in various rotated arrangements.	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A