Ten Codes List
“10-4” means OK, “10-20” means location — but what is 10-28, or 10-97? This list covers the classic 10-codes from 10-1 to 10-99, searchable by number or by meaning. Paste a message such as “10-23, 10-4, en route 10-8” to translate it, or try the quiz. Remember that meanings vary between agencies, and many now prefer plain language.
10-code finder and translator
Quiz
Radio Codes Reference Pack
Printable 10-code reference card (10-1 to 10-99), phonetic alphabet card, scanner radio log sheet and 10-code flashcards.
- 10-code card (PDF/XLSX)
- Phonetic alphabet (PDF)
- Radio log (PDF/DOCX/XLSX)
- Flashcards (PDF)
Formats: PDF, XLSX, DOCX. Instant download after payment (link valid 72 hours, up to 5 downloads). AI-assisted: the templates were drafted with AI help and reviewed and laid out by Kedop.
$3.00 USD, one-time
Secure card checkout by Stripe. Full refund within 7 days — see the refund policy and license.
The most-used 10-codes
| Code | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 10-4 | Acknowledged, OK | “10-4, heading there now.” |
| 10-20 | Location | “What’s your 10-20?” |
| 10-8 | In service, available | “Unit 5 is 10-8.” |
| 10-7 | Out of service | “Going 10-7 for lunch.” |
| 10-9 | Repeat | “10-9, you broke up.” |
| 10-23 | Arrived at scene | “Unit 3, 10-23.” |
| 10-33 | Emergency | Clears the channel for urgent traffic |
| 10-36 | Correct time | “10-36 please.” |
| 10-76 | En route | “10-76 to the station.” |
| 10-97 | Check (test) signal | Radio check |
Full list: 10-1 to 10-99
| Code | Meaning | Code | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-1 | Receiving poorly / unable to copy | 10-51 | Wrecker / tow needed |
| 10-2 | Receiving well | 10-52 | Ambulance needed |
| 10-3 | Stop transmitting | 10-53 | Road blocked |
| 10-4 | Acknowledged (OK) | 10-54 | Livestock on highway |
| 10-5 | Relay message | 10-55 | Intoxicated driver |
| 10-6 | Busy, stand by unless urgent | 10-56 | Intoxicated pedestrian |
| 10-7 | Out of service | 10-57 | Hit and run |
| 10-8 | In service | 10-58 | Direct traffic |
| 10-9 | Repeat | 10-59 | Convoy or escort |
| 10-10 | Fight in progress | 10-60 | Unit in vicinity |
| 10-11 | Dog / animal case | 10-61 | Personnel in area |
| 10-12 | Stand by (stop) | 10-62 | Reply to message |
| 10-13 | Weather and road report | 10-63 | Prepare to make written copy |
| 10-14 | Prowler report | 10-64 | Message for local delivery |
| 10-15 | Civil disturbance | 10-65 | Net message assignment |
| 10-16 | Domestic problem | 10-66 | Message cancellation |
| 10-17 | Meet complainant | 10-67 | Clear for net message |
| 10-18 | Quickly / urgent | 10-68 | Dispatch information |
| 10-19 | Return to (station) | 10-69 | Message received |
| 10-20 | Location | 10-70 | Fire alarm |
| 10-21 | Call by telephone | 10-71 | Advise nature of fire |
| 10-22 | Disregard | 10-72 | Report progress on fire |
| 10-23 | Arrived at scene | 10-73 | Smoke report |
| 10-24 | Assignment completed | 10-74 | Negative |
| 10-25 | Report in person / meet | 10-75 | In contact with |
| 10-26 | Detaining subject, expedite | 10-76 | En route |
| 10-27 | Driver’s licence information | 10-77 | Estimated time of arrival |
| 10-28 | Vehicle registration information | 10-78 | Need assistance |
| 10-29 | Check for wanted | 10-79 | Notify coroner |
| 10-30 | Unnecessary use of radio | 10-80 | Pursuit in progress |
| 10-31 | Crime in progress | 10-81 | Breath test report |
| 10-32 | Person with gun | 10-82 | Reserve lodging |
| 10-33 | Emergency | 10-83 | School crossing duty |
| 10-34 | Riot | 10-84 | Advise ETA if meeting |
| 10-35 | Major crime alert | 10-85 | Delayed due to |
| 10-36 | Correct time | 10-86 | Officer / operator on duty |
| 10-37 | Investigate suspicious vehicle | 10-87 | Pick up or distribute checks |
| 10-38 | Stopping suspicious vehicle | 10-88 | Telephone number of |
| 10-39 | Urgent — use lights and siren | 10-89 | Bomb threat |
| 10-40 | Silent run — no lights or siren | 10-90 | Bank alarm |
| 10-41 | Beginning tour of duty | 10-91 | Pick up prisoner / subject |
| 10-42 | Ending tour of duty | 10-92 | Improperly parked vehicle |
| 10-43 | Information | 10-93 | Blockade |
| 10-44 | Permission to leave | 10-94 | Drag racing |
| 10-45 | Animal carcass | 10-95 | Prisoner / subject in custody |
| 10-46 | Assist motorist | 10-96 | Mental health subject |
| 10-47 | Emergency road repairs needed | 10-97 | Check (test) signal |
| 10-48 | Traffic standard needs repair | 10-98 | Prison / jail break |
| 10-49 | Traffic light out | 10-99 | Wanted / stolen indicated |
| 10-50 | Traffic collision |
This is the widely circulated version of the APCO (Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials) ten-code list. Individual police, fire and ambulance services, states and countries have used their own variations, so the same number can mean different things in different places.
Why many agencies now use plain language
Ten-codes were created in the 1930s and 1940s to keep radio messages short when channels were crowded. Over time, agencies developed their own versions, and during large incidents involving several agencies the differences caused confusion. After major emergencies in the early 2000s, US federal incident-management guidance began encouraging plain English for communication between agencies, and many departments have moved away from 10-codes for everyday use, keeping only a few such as 10-4.
Using the translator and quiz
- Type a number (20) or a word (accident) in the search box.
- Paste radio chatter or a script into the translator: codes such as 10-23 or 10 20 are replaced with their common meaning.
- Hover over a translated phrase to see the original code.
- Try the quiz to learn the list.
- Remember that your local agency may use different meanings.
10-codes on CB radio
Citizens band radio users adopted many of the same codes, often with slightly different meanings, and added their own slang. On CB, 10-4 still means OK, 10-20 is location, 10-36 is the time and 10-100 is sometimes used for a restroom break. Truckers and hobbyists keep the tradition alive, although plain speech is common today too.
Worked example
The sample message “Unit 12, 10-23 at the school. 10-4, show me 10-8 in five. What’s your 10-20?” translates to: Unit 12 has arrived at the scene at the school; acknowledged; show me back in service in five minutes; what is your location? The translator does this automatically using the common meanings above.
Related radio conventions
| Convention | Example |
|---|---|
| Phonetic alphabet | Alpha, Bravo, Charlie… to spell names and plates |
| Prowords | “Over” (your turn), “Out” (conversation finished), “Say again” (repeat) |
| Signal reports | “Loud and clear”, “Weak but readable” |
| Plain-language status | “Available”, “On scene”, “Clear” |
For writers and hobbyists
Writers use 10-codes to make police scenes sound authentic, and scanner listeners use them to follow local radio traffic. Check the codes your local agency actually uses — some publish their lists — and don’t over-use them in dialogue; real dispatchers mix codes with plain speech.
Printable pack
The optional pack includes a printable 10-code reference card, a phonetic alphabet card, a radio log sheet for scanner listeners and flashcards for learning the codes. The search and translator are free.
AI-assisted content
This page was drafted with AI assistance and reviewed by Kedop. It is for general reference; always follow your own agency’s procedures.
Frequently asked questions
What does 10-4 mean?
Acknowledged or OK.
What does 10-20 mean?
Location — “What’s your 10-20?” means “Where are you?”
Are 10-codes the same everywhere?
No, agencies have used different versions; many now prefer plain language.
What does 10-33 mean?
Emergency — usually clears the radio channel for urgent traffic.
Who created 10-codes?
They were developed by police radio organisations in the 1930s–40s and later standardised by APCO.
Do police still use 10-codes?
Some do; many agencies have switched to plain English, especially for multi-agency incidents.