Free clinical tool
Tooth notation converter: Palmer, FDI (ISO 3950) & Universal
Enter any tooth code and this free converter shows the equivalent in all three numbering systems — Palmer, FDI / ISO 3950 and Universal (ADA) — for both adult (32) and deciduous (20) dentitions. It reads FDI numbers, Universal numbers/letters or UK shorthand (e.g. UR6), whichever you choose, using the same vetted mapping as the Nosht in-app tooth-notation tool.
Bare numbers and letters are read in the system chosen above (FDI by default). Quadrant codes such as UR6, LL5 or URD work in any system.
Upper right · Adult
Central Incisor
- Palmer
- 1┘
- FDIISO 3950
- 11
- UniversalADA
- 8
Roots
1
Root canals
1
Eruption
7–8 yrs
Conversion chart
| Tooth | Palmer | FDI | Universal |
|---|---|---|---|
| UR1 · Central Incisor | 1┘ | 11 | 8 |
| UR2 · Lateral Incisor | 2┘ | 12 | 7 |
| UR3 · Canine | 3┘ | 13 | 6 |
| UR4 · 1st Premolar | 4┘ | 14 | 5 |
| UR5 · 2nd Premolar | 5┘ | 15 | 4 |
| UR6 · 1st Molar | 6┘ | 16 | 3 |
| UR7 · 2nd Molar | 7┘ | 17 | 2 |
| UR8 · 3rd Molar (Wisdom) | 8┘ | 18 | 1 |
| UL1 · Central Incisor | └1 | 21 | 9 |
| UL2 · Lateral Incisor | └2 | 22 | 10 |
| UL3 · Canine | └3 | 23 | 11 |
| UL4 · 1st Premolar | └4 | 24 | 12 |
| UL5 · 2nd Premolar | └5 | 25 | 13 |
| UL6 · 1st Molar | └6 | 26 | 14 |
| UL7 · 2nd Molar | └7 | 27 | 15 |
| UL8 · 3rd Molar (Wisdom) | └8 | 28 | 16 |
| LL1 · Central Incisor | ┌1 | 31 | 24 |
| LL2 · Lateral Incisor | ┌2 | 32 | 23 |
| LL3 · Canine | ┌3 | 33 | 22 |
| LL4 · 1st Premolar | ┌4 | 34 | 21 |
| LL5 · 2nd Premolar | ┌5 | 35 | 20 |
| LL6 · 1st Molar | ┌6 | 36 | 19 |
| LL7 · 2nd Molar | ┌7 | 37 | 18 |
| LL8 · 3rd Molar (Wisdom) | ┌8 | 38 | 17 |
| LR1 · Central Incisor | 1┐ | 41 | 25 |
| LR2 · Lateral Incisor | 2┐ | 42 | 26 |
| LR3 · Canine | 3┐ | 43 | 27 |
| LR4 · 1st Premolar | 4┐ | 44 | 28 |
| LR5 · 2nd Premolar | 5┐ | 45 | 29 |
| LR6 · 1st Molar | 6┐ | 46 | 30 |
| LR7 · 2nd Molar | 7┐ | 47 | 31 |
| LR8 · 3rd Molar (Wisdom) | 8┐ | 48 | 32 |
Reference chart only — not clinical advice. Root and canal counts are typical; always confirm with radiographs and clinical examination. Eruption ages are population averages with normal individual variation (source: ADA eruption charts). Verify against official sources.
How the three notation systems work
- Palmer — a quadrant grid symbol (┘ └ ┐ ┌) combined with a tooth number (1–8 adult) or letter (A–E deciduous). Intuitive on paper but awkward to type.
- FDI / ISO 3950 — a two-digit code. The first digit is the quadrant (1 = upper right, 2 = upper left, 3 = lower left, 4 = lower right for permanent teeth; 5–8 for deciduous), the second is the tooth from the midline. Example: 11 = upper-right central incisor.
- Universal (ADA) — adult teeth numbered 1–32 starting at the upper-right third molar and running clockwise; deciduous teeth lettered A–T. Most common in the United States.
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<p style="font:12px/1.4 sans-serif;margin:4px 0 0"><a href="https://nosht.io/tools/tooth-notation-converter/">Tooth notation converter</a> by Nosht</p>Frequently asked questions
What are the main tooth-numbering systems?
Three systems are in common use. Palmer notation uses a grid symbol plus a tooth number (1–8 for adults, A–E for deciduous) to show the quadrant. FDI (ISO 3950) is a two-digit system where the first digit is the quadrant and the second is the tooth position. Universal (ADA) numbers adult teeth 1–32 and uses letters A–T for deciduous teeth.
How do I convert FDI to Universal?
In FDI, the first digit gives the quadrant and the second the tooth. For example, FDI 11 is the upper-right central incisor, which is tooth 8 in the Universal system. Enter any FDI number into the converter above to see the equivalent Palmer and Universal notation instantly.
What is FDI / ISO 3950 notation?
FDI World Dental Federation notation, standardised as ISO 3950, is the two-digit system used across the UK and most of the world. The first digit identifies the quadrant (1–4 for permanent teeth, 5–8 for deciduous) and the second identifies the tooth from the midline (1) to the back of the mouth (8 for permanent teeth, 5 for baby teeth). It is unambiguous and easy to dictate.
Which notation does the UK use?
UK dentistry primarily uses FDI (ISO 3950) two-digit notation and Palmer notation. The Universal (ADA) system is most common in the United States. This converter shows all three side by side so you can translate between any of them.
Is this converter clinically accurate?
The notation conversions are deterministic and follow the published FDI (ISO 3950), Palmer and Universal (ADA) standards. Root, canal and eruption information is typical and provided for reference only — always confirm anatomy with radiographs and clinical examination, as individual variation is common.
References
Chart teeth straight into the note
Nosht turns charting and treatment into a structured, GDC & FGDP(UK)-aligned clinical note — one click to copy into any practice management system. No patient identifiers in clinical notes (referral letters and leaflet sending excepted).
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