What is Gematria? A clear beginner's guide

Gematria assigns numerical values to Hebrew letters and adds them to obtain a value for a word or phrase. For example, חי (chai) is ח=8 plus י=10, giving 18.

How is a value calculated?

In the standard method, Alef through Tet are 1–9, Yud through Tsadi progress by tens, and Qof through Tav are 100–400. Final letters normally share the value of their base form unless a method explicitly says otherwise.

Why are there different methods?

Hebrew gematria has several established reckoning systems. A number is therefore incomplete unless the method is named. GematriaRTM keeps Standard, Gadol, Katan, Ordinal, Atbash and Perati separate.

What does an equal value mean?

If two phrases produce the same total under the same rules, the numerical equality is factual. Any interpretive claim about what that equality means is separate from the arithmetic. Showing the working letter by letter makes that distinction visible.