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Police Codes & 10-Codes: Full List, Meanings & Printable Charts

THE ZIP SCANNERS REFERENCE LIBRARY

Police Codes & 10-Codes: Full List, Meanings & Printable Charts

Police radio codes turn common messages into short numbers. You've probably heard 10-4 or "What's your 20?" But what do they actually mean?

Look up common 10-codes, 11-codes, signal codes and the phonetic alphabet using the full-size reference charts and searchable text tables below.

10-4Message received / acknowledged

10-20Location

10-33Emergency radio traffic in many lists

Important: Police codes are not universal. A number can mean different things in neighboring departments. Use these as common reference meanings, and confirm the local agency's code list when accuracy matters. APCO history and FEMA guidance explain why that matters.

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Police Codes Master Reference Chart

This master graphic brings the code families together. Open it full-size to read the details, save it to your phone or share it with attribution.

**Original Zip Scanners Police Codes Master List**Open full-size / save PNG All downloads

Watch: Police Codes Explained

Prefer a quick explanation before the tables? This is our Police Codes Explained video. One video, then straight to the reference.

Police 10-Codes: Full List & Meanings

Ten-codes make radio traffic shorter: 10-4 often means "message received," while 10-20 commonly means "location." APCO describes the earliest 10-code standardization efforts in 1937, with later revisions. Departments adapted meanings, so treat this as a reference, not your agency's operational rulebook.

The original three 10-code infographics are preserved below, in full-size, shareable form.

**Police 10-Codes Graphic 1 of 3**Open full-size / save PNG All downloads

**Police 10-Codes Graphic 2 of 3**Open full-size / save PNG All downloads

**Police 10-Codes Graphic 3 of 3**Open full-size / save PNG All downloads

Search all 100 ten-codes

Search 100 ten-codes100 entries

Code	Meaning	Notes
10-0	Caution	Use with discretion
10-1	Unable to copy	Signal weak
10-2	Signal good	-
10-3	Stop transmitting	Cease radio traffic
10-4	Acknowledgment (OK)	Most famous
10-5	Relay	Transmit to another unit
10-6	Busy	Stand by
10-7	Out of service	Off duty / fuel
10-8	In service	Available
10-9	Repeat	Say again
10-10	Fight in progress	High priority
10-11	Dog case	Animal control
10-12	Stand by / Visitors present	Sensitive info
10-13	Weather conditions	Road report
10-14	Escort / Convoy	-
10-15	Prisoner in custody	-
10-16	Pick up prisoner	Transport request
10-17	Pick up papers	Documents
10-18	Urgent	Complete quickly
10-19	Return to station	HQ
10-20	Location	“What’s your 20?”
10-21	Call by telephone	Phone contact
10-22	Disregard	Cancel assignment
10-23	Arrived at scene	On location
10-24	Assignment completed	-
10-25	Report in person	Meet at HQ or scene
10-26	Detaining subject	Subject held
10-27	Driver-license info	Request check
10-28	Vehicle registration	Plate lookup
10-29	Check for wanted	Warrants / stolen
10-30	Illegal use of radio	Unnecessary traffic
10-31	Crime in progress	-
10-32	Man with gun	Armed subject
10-33	Emergency - stand by	Radio priority
10-34	Riot	Civil disturbance
10-35	Major crime alert	-
10-36	Correct time	Request / provide
10-37	Suspicious vehicle	Or subject
10-38	Stopping suspicious vehicle	Code 5 stop
10-39	Urgent - lights & siren	Code 3
10-40	Silent run - no lights	Code 2
10-41	Begin shift	-
10-42	End shift	-
10-43	Information	Message
10-44	Permission to leave	Break / coffee
10-45	Animal carcass	Road hazard
10-46	Assist motorist	Disabled vehicle
10-47	Emergency road repairs	-
10-48	Traffic standard repair	-
10-49	Traffic light out	-
10-50	Accident (F/PI/PD)	Fatal/Injury/Damage
10-51	Wrecker needed	Tow truck
10-52	Ambulance needed	-
10-53	Road blocked	-
10-54	Livestock on highway	-
10-55	Drunk driver	DUI suspect
10-56	Intoxicated pedestrian	-
10-57	Hit & run	-
10-58	Direct traffic	-
10-59	Convoy / escort	-
10-60	Squad in vicinity	-
10-61	Personnel in area	-
10-62	Reply to message	-
10-63	Prepare to copy	-
10-64	Message for local delivery	-
10-65	Net message assignment	-
10-66	Missing person	-
10-67	Clear to read net message	-
10-68	Dispatch information	-
10-69	Message received	-
10-70	Fire alarm	-
10-71	Advise nature of fire	-
10-72	Report progress of fire	-
10-73	Smoke report	-
10-74	Negative	No
10-75	In contact with	Subject / unit
10-76	En-route	-
10-77	ETA	Estimated arrival
10-78	Need assistance	Officer needs help
10-79	Notify coroner	-
10-80	Chase in progress	Pursuit
10-81	Breathalyser report	Intox test
10-82	Reserve lodging	-
10-83	School crossing duty	-
10-84	If meeting ___, advise ETA	-
10-85	Delayed due to ____	-
10-86	Officer on duty	-
10-87	Pickup/distribute checks	-
10-88	Advise phone number	-
10-89	Bomb threat	-
10-90	Bank alarm	-
10-91	Prowler	-
10-92	Improperly parked vehicle	-
10-93	Blockade	Road closed
10-94	Drag racing	-
10-95	Prisoner in custody	-
10-96	Mental subject	-
10-97	Check (test) signal	Radio check
10-98	Assignment finished	Available
10-99	Wanted / stolen indicated	Hit confirmation

These are reference meanings. Your local agency's definitions may be different.

Download 10-Codes CSV

New to radio terminology? Read the Beginner's Guide to Police Scanners.

Police 11-Codes: Common Examples

Some public-safety departments use eleven-codes, particularly around traffic, transport and dispatch. There is no single nationwide list that applies everywhere.

**Original Police 11-Codes Infographic**Open full-size / save PNG All downloads

Search the 11-code list

Search 27 eleven-codes27 entries

Code	Meaning
11-10	Take report
11-12	Dead animal
11-24	Abandoned vehicle
11-25	Traffic hazard
11-26	Disabled vehicle
11-27	DL check - wants/warrants
11-28	Vehicle registration check
11-40	Advise if ambulance needed
11-41	Ambulance needed
11-44	Fatality (coroner)
11-48	Furnish transportation
11-51	Escort
11-52	Funeral detail
11-54	Suspicious vehicle
11-55	Officer being followed
11-56	Citizen being followed
11-79	TC - ambulance en-route
11-80	TC - major injury
11-81	TC - minor injury
11-82	TC - property damage
11-83	TC - unknown injuries
11-84	Direct traffic
11-85	Tow truck needed
11-86	Special detail
11-87	Assist fire department
11-98	Meet at location
11-99	Officer needs help (urgent)

These are reference meanings. Your local agency's definitions may be different.

Download 11-Codes CSV

Police Signal Codes: Common Meanings

Some departments use numbered signals instead of, or alongside, 10-codes. The number often tells a dispatcher the type of call, but those numbers are especially local. Signal 100 is not universal. This original chart lists it as "Resume normal traffic," but another department may use a different definition.

**Original Police Signal Codes Infographic**Open full-size / save PNG All downloads

Search all 46 signal-code examples

Search 46 signal codes46 entries

Signal	Meaning
1	Drunk driver
2	Intoxicated person
3	Hit & run
4	Accident
5	Murder
6	Escaped prisoner
7	Dead body
8	Missing person
9	Stolen vehicle
10	Stolen items
11	Hit & run - injury
12	Reckless driving
13	Suspicious person
14	Information
15	Special detail
16	Domestic disturbance
17	Complaint
18	Felony in progress
19	Misdemeanor
20	Mental subject
21	Burglary in progress
22	Disturbance
23	Hold-up
24	Prowler
25	Fire
26	Detain subject
27	License check
28	Registration check
29	Reckless driver
30	Bomb threat
31	Crime in progress
32	Gun involved
33	Emergency - radio silence
34	Assault
35	Rape
36	Shooting
37	Stabbing
38	Officer in danger
39	Road block
40	Fight
50	Dispatch duty
60	Open door / window
70	Improper parking
80	Explosion
90	Hostage situation
100	Resume normal traffic

These are reference meanings. Your local agency's definitions may be different.

Download Signal Codes CSV

Police Phonetic Alphabet: A to Z

Radio operators use spoken words to distinguish similar-sounding letters in names, license plates and callsigns. The internationally standardized NATO/ICAO list uses Alfa, Bravo, Charlie. Older public-safety alphabets and individual agencies may use different words.

The original Zip Scanners illustration stays intact; the searchable text table uses official spellings, including Alfa and Juliett. See NATO's official alphabet.

**Original Zip Scanners Phonetic Alphabet Reference Chart**Open full-size / save PNG All downloads

Search all 26 letters

Search 26 phonetic letters26 entries

Letter	Word
A	Alfa
B	Bravo
C	Charlie
D	Delta
E	Echo
F	Foxtrot
G	Golf
H	Hotel
I	India
J	Juliett
K	Kilo
L	Lima
M	Mike
N	November
O	Oscar
P	Papa
Q	Quebec
R	Romeo
S	Sierra
T	Tango
U	Uniform
V	Victor
W	Whiskey
X	X-ray
Y	Yankee
Z	Zulu

These are reference meanings. Your local agency's definitions may be different.

Download Alphabet CSV

Free printable police codes downloads

Keep a reference next to your scanner or open these lists in Excel and Google Sheets. No email address required.

Complete Master CSV

All 199 reference entries in one spreadsheet-ready file.

Download full CSV

10-Codes CSV

100 numbered ten-codes, meanings and notes.

Download 10-Codes

11-Codes CSV

27 eleven-code examples.

Download 11-Codes

Signal Codes CSV

46 example signal meanings.

Download Signals

Phonetic Alphabet CSV

26 official NATO/ICAO letter words.

Download Phonetics

Printable PDF

Use your browser's print dialog and choose Save as PDF. This button opens the browser's print dialog, where you can save a PDF.

PNG: open any original chart above, then use Save Image As on desktop or long-press to save on mobile. If your browser blocks a CSV download, select the reference table and copy it into a spreadsheet.

Why Do Police Use Radio Codes?

Early police radio channels were limited, and short standardized signals helped dispatchers and officers exchange routine messages efficiently. According to APCO International's project history, work on familiar 10-codes began in 1937; standards later appeared in its 1967 Project 2 and 1974 Project 14 revisions.

Why codes vary across departments

Codes spread over time, but departments changed meanings to match their local procedures. The result is useful shorthand for regular users, yet potentially confusing when agencies work together. Knowing a code in one city does not guarantee that the same number means the same thing across a county line.

Why plain language matters in emergencies

During incidents involving multiple organizations, responders need terminology everyone can understand. FEMA's National Incident Management System training recommends clear, plain language rather than agency-specific radio codes. This does not mean everyday ten-codes have vanished from routine police communication.

Codes aren't encryption

A radio code is a spoken shortcut; encryption is a technical barrier to decoding a transmission. A receiver that hears a clear voice may recognize a code, but it cannot recover encrypted audio by memorizing the code list. See our police scanner encryption guide for the distinction.

Police Codes: Frequently Asked Questions

What does 10-4 mean?

In many common radio-code lists, 10-4 acknowledges that a message was received or understood.

What does 10-20 mean?

It commonly asks for or reports a location. You might hear someone say, "What's your 20?"

What does 10-33 mean?

Many lists use 10-33 for emergency or priority radio traffic. Always confirm the definition for the agency you're monitoring.

Do all police departments use the same codes?

No. Numbered codes can differ between departments, counties and states. An official local list is more reliable than any generic reference.

What are 11-codes?

Additional radio shorthand used by some public-safety agencies, often for traffic and dispatch matters. They are not nationally uniform.

What are police signal codes?

Short numbered signals used for incidents or instructions by individual agencies. Signal meanings are particularly location-specific.

What does Signal 100 mean?

There is no universal definition. The signal-code example table on this page lists Signal 100 as "Resume normal traffic," but some departments use the same number for other instructions. Verify the specific agency.

Are police codes encrypted?

No. Codes are spoken shorthand; radio encryption is a separate technology that prevents unauthorized receivers from decoding audio.

Why did responders switch toward plain language?

Codes that mean different things in neighboring jurisdictions can create dangerous misunderstandings. FEMA NIMS calls for plain language during multi-agency incidents.

Are police 10-codes being phased out?

Some agencies use plain language more often while others continue using codes for routine communications. There is no single nationwide elimination of all 10-codes.

What is the difference between police codes and penal codes?

Radio codes are shortcuts for communication. Penal codes refer to laws and offenses, not instructions spoken over a radio.

Do fire and EMS agencies use the same codes?

Sometimes agencies share common signals, but fire and EMS departments may have their own terms and protocols.

How do I find my local agency's code list?

Check the department or dispatch agency website, official documents and published radio communications policies. Local sources take precedence.

Can a police scanner hear every department?

No. It depends on whether the radio supports that agency's system, whether reception is possible and whether the transmissions are encrypted.

Where can I download printable police codes?

Use the Download Center above for separate 10-code, 11-code, signal-code and phonetic CSVs, plus the combined spreadsheet-ready list. To make a PDF of the whole page, choose Print / Save as PDF.

Can I share the original graphics?

Yes. Share the intact original Zip Scanners charts with attribution and a link back to this guide.

Official sources & references

These sources support the background, interoperability and phonetic sections. The code lists are common reference examples, not a claim of official endorsement by these organizations.

To confirm a code you heard locally, consult your own agency's official communications policy or published dispatch code list.

Want to actually listen to police radio?

Understanding the codes is one thing. Finding a scanner compatible with your local radio system is another. We'll help you verify what can be received in your area, including digital systems and encryption limits.

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Learn more: Are police scanners legal? · Police scanner programming guide

Reference charts by Zip Scanners. Original artwork remains unchanged. Individual agencies may use different radio-code meanings.