Two letter-number systems, one ancient root. See how the Arabic Abjad and the Hebrew gematria compare, letter by letter.
Quick Answer: Abjad and gematria both turn letters into numbers. Abjad is the Arabic system, and gematria is the Hebrew one. They share the same old letter order, so their values line up from 1 to 400. Arabic then adds six more letters up to 1000. The two systems are close cousins, not the same tool.
Abjad (Arabic)
- 28 letters, values 1 to 1000.
- Standard order is Mashriqi.
- Adding letters is called Hisab al-Jummal.
- Used for dates, study, and names.
Gematria (Hebrew)
- 22 letters, values 1 to 400.
- Standard method is Mispar Hechrachi.
- Five letters have final forms.
- Used in Jewish study and texts.
One Shared Origin
Both systems come from the same old Semitic alphabet. That alphabet set the order of the letters long ago.
Arabic and Hebrew both kept this order for counting. So the first letter is 1 in each, the second is 2, and so on. This is why the values match so closely.
The shared order is easy to hear in the names. Alif and aleph, ba and bet, jim and gimel all sit in the same place.
Value Alignment Table
This table lines up the two systems by value. The values match from 1 to 400. Arabic then continues with six extra letters.
| Value | Arabic | Name | Hebrew | Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ا | Alif | א | Aleph |
| 2 | ب | Ba | ב | Bet |
| 3 | ج | Jim | ג | Gimel |
| 4 | د | Dal | ד | Dalet |
| 5 | ه | Ha | ה | He |
| 6 | و | Waw | ו | Vav |
| 7 | ز | Zay | ז | Zayin |
| 8 | ح | Hha | ח | Chet |
| 9 | ط | Tta | ט | Tet |
| 10 | ي | Ya | י | Yod |
| 20 | ك | Kaf | כ | Kaf |
| 30 | ل | Lam | ל | Lamed |
| 40 | م | Mim | מ | Mem |
| 50 | ن | Nun | נ | Nun |
| 60 | س | Sin | ס | Samekh |
| 70 | ع | Ayn | ע | Ayin |
| 80 | ف | Fa | פ | Pe |
| 90 | ص | Sad | צ | Tsadi |
| 100 | ق | Qaf | ק | Qof |
| 200 | ر | Ra | ר | Resh |
| 300 | ش | Shin | ש | Shin |
| 400 | ت | Ta | ת | Tav |
| 500 | ث | Tha | n/a | no equivalent |
| 600 | خ | Kha | n/a | no equivalent |
| 700 | ذ | Dhal | n/a | no equivalent |
| 800 | ض | Dad | n/a | no equivalent |
| 900 | ظ | Zha | n/a | no equivalent |
| 1000 | غ | Ghayn | n/a | no equivalent |
What The Two Systems Share
The two systems agree on the big ideas. Each gives every letter one fixed value. Each finds a word’s value by adding its letters.
Both read from right to left. Both skip short vowel marks when counting. Both have a long history in scholarship and art. And for the first 22 letters, their values are the same.
How The Two Systems Differ
The systems part ways in a few clear places. Arabic has 28 letters, while Hebrew has 22. So Arabic reaches 1000, but Hebrew stops at 400.
Arabic adds six letters that Hebrew does not have. These are tha, kha, dhal, dad, zha, and ghayn. Hebrew, in turn, has five final letter forms.
The names of the methods differ too. Arabic speaks of Kabir and Saghir. Hebrew speaks of Hechrachi, Gadol, Siduri, and Katan.
Methods In Each System
Abjad Methods
Abjad Kabir uses the full values. Abjad Saghir reduces them to single digits. The Maghribi order also shifts a few values.
Gematria Methods
Mispar Hechrachi uses the full values. Mispar Gadol raises the final letters. Mispar Siduri uses the letter’s place, and Mispar Katan reduces to single digits.
The “small” methods match in spirit. Abjad Saghir and Mispar Katan both reduce values to single digits.
A Shared Example: The Word For Life
The systems even meet on the same word. Both write “life” with a Hha/Chet and a Ya/Yod.
Both equal 18, and both point to life. This is the clearest sign of the shared root. It is a language link, not a hidden message.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Abjad (Arabic) | Gematria (Hebrew) |
|---|---|---|
| Letters | 28 | 22 |
| Value range | 1 to 1000 | 1 to 400 |
| Direction | Right to left | Right to left |
| Standard method | Abjad Kabir | Mispar Hechrachi |
| Reduced method | Abjad Saghir | Mispar Katan |
| Final letter forms | No | Yes (5) |
| Local name | Hisab al-Jummal | Gematria |
| Main use | Study, dates, names | Study, texts |
Try Both Calculators
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Abjad And Gematria The Same Thing?
No. They are close cousins. Abjad is Arabic and gematria is Hebrew, but they share the same letter order.
Why Do Their Values Match?
Both come from the same old Semitic alphabet. That shared order sets the same value for each letter.
Where Do They Stop Matching?
They match from 1 to 400. Arabic then adds six more letters up to 1000, which Hebrew does not have.
Which System Has More Letters?
Arabic has 28 letters. Hebrew has 22 letters plus five final forms.
Does A Shared Value Mean A Hidden Link?
No. A shared value is a coincidence of letters. It is a fact about spelling, not a hidden message.
Can I Calculate In Both Systems Here?
Yes. Use the Abjad Calculator for Arabic and the Hebrew Gematria Calculator for Hebrew.
Last Updated: September 2, 2026
Disclaimer: This page is for research, study, and educational purposes only. Letter values are mathematical and linguistic results. They do not reveal the unseen, predict the future, or promise any outcome. They set no religious ruling, and we make no supernatural or guaranteed claims. For religious guidance, please consult a qualified authority.
Sources & Further Reading
- Encyclopaedia Iranica: Abjad — letter order and traditional values.
- Unicode Arabic Block (U+0600) — the Arabic letters and code points.
- Abjad Calculation Rules — the full method.