Chess Notation Converter (SAN, UCI, Long Algebraic)
Convert chess moves between standard algebraic (SAN), long algebraic, UCI, figurine and German, French, Spanish, Italian or Dutch piece letters.
Chess software and books do not all speak the same notation. Engines want UCI coordinates such as g1f3, older books and some apps print long algebraic Ng1-f3, and printed scoresheets in Germany, France or Spain use their own piece letters. This converter replays your moves on a real board, so it can translate between all of these correctly — including disambiguation like Nbd2, castling, en passant, promotions and check or mate signs.
How to use this tool
- Paste your moves or a PGN move list into the box.
- Tell the converter which piece letters the moves use.
- Choose the notation you want out.
- Paste a starting FEN for a different position; a PGN FEN tag is used if this field is empty.
Formula
SAN: piece + (file/rank if needed) + x if capture + target (+ =promotion) (+ or #) UCI: from + to (+ promotion letter)
Standard algebraic leaves out the starting square unless two identical pieces could reach the target; long algebraic always gives both squares; UCI is the engine format with no piece letters or symbols, where castling is written as the king's move (e1g1, e1c1). Each move is checked against the legal moves of the current position.
Example
The Ruy Lopez 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 converts to UCI as e2e4 e7e5 g1f3 b8c6 f1b5 a7a6, and to German algebraic as 1. e4 e5 2. Sf3 Sc6 3. Lb5 a6. The final position is r1bqkbnr/1ppp1ppp/p1n5/1B2p3/4P3/5N2/PPPP1PPP/RNBQK2R w KQkq - 0 4.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between SAN and UCI?
SAN (standard algebraic notation) is what humans write: Nf3, exd5, O-O. UCI is what engines exchange: just the from and to squares, like g1f3, e4d5 and e1g1, with a lowercase letter for promotions such as e7e8q.
Why does it say a move is illegal?
Every move is played on the board, so a typo, a missing move or a move from a different starting position stops the conversion at that point. Check the move number in the message, or paste the correct starting FEN.
Which piece letters do other languages use?
German K D T L S, French R D T F C, Spanish and Italian R D T A C, Dutch K D T L P, standing for king, queen, rook, bishop and knight. Pawns have no letter in any of them.
Can it convert old descriptive notation like P-K4?
No. Descriptive notation names squares from each player's side and is ambiguous without careful reading; this converter handles algebraic, long algebraic, figurine and UCI formats.
Sources
Last updated: 2026-10-30