Morse Code Translator

Translate text to Morse code and Morse code to text. Supports letters, numbers, and punctuation.

Free to use. Runs in your browser.

Type text to convert it to International Morse Code, or paste Morse to decode it back. Supports letters, digits, and common punctuation with optional audio playback.

Text

Morse Code

Format: Letters separated by spaces, words separated by " / ". Example: .... . .-.. .-.. --- / .-- --- .-. .-.. -..

Morse Code: The Original Digital Communication

Before the internet, before telephones, there was Morse code. Invented in the 1830s for use with the electric telegraph, it encodes letters as sequences of short signals (dots) and long signals (dashes). "SOS", three dots, three dashes, three dots, is probably the most recognised Morse sequence in the world.

Morse code was the first practical system for long-distance electronic communication. It dominated global communications for over a century and wasn't officially retired from maritime use until 1999. Today it's still used in amateur radio, aviation (NDB identifiers), and accessibility technology. Some people even use it to communicate through blinks or taps when speech isn't possible.

This translator converts any text to International Morse Code and back. Letters are separated by spaces, words by " / ". It handles all 26 letters, 10 digits, and common punctuation marks.

Complete Morse Code Reference

Character	Morse	Character	Morse	Character	Morse
A	.-	N	-.	0	-----
B	-...	O	---	1	.----
C	-.-.	P	.--.	2	..---
D	-..	Q	--.-	3	...--
E	.	R	.-.	4	....-
F	..-.	S	...	5	.....
G	--.	T	-	6	-....
H	....	U	..-	7	--...
I	..	V	...-	8	---..
J	.---	W	.--	9	----.
K	-.-	X	-..-	.	.-.-.-
L	.-..	Y	-.--	,	--..--
M	--	Z	--..	?	..--..

What this means for you: Notice that the most common English letters have the shortest codes, E is a single dot, T is a single dash. Samuel Morse designed the code around letter frequency to make transmission faster. It's essentially an early form of data compression.

Morse Code Timing Rules

Signal timing

A dot is 1 unit. A dash is 3 units. The gap between parts of a letter is 1 unit. The gap between letters is 3 units. The gap between words is 7 units. Standard speed is about 20 words per minute for experienced operators.

SOS distress signal

... --- ... (three dots, three dashes, three dots) was chosen as the international distress signal in 1906. It wasn't chosen because it stands for "Save Our Souls", that's a backronym. It was chosen because it's distinctive and easy to recognise even in poor conditions.

Modern uses

Amateur radio operators still use Morse code (called "CW" for continuous wave). Aviation NDB beacons identify themselves in Morse. Some Android keyboards support Morse input for accessibility. And it's a popular topic in computer science education.

Learning to decode by ear

Experienced operators don't translate letter by letter, they recognise whole words and phrases by their rhythm, like listening to a language. The Koch method teaches Morse at full speed from the start, adding one character at a time.

Famous Messages in Morse

Message	Morse Code	Context
SOS	... --- ...	International distress signal since 1906
CQD	-.-. --.- -..	Original distress call, sent by the Titanic
73	--... ...--	Ham radio shorthand for "best regards"
88	---.. ---..	Ham radio shorthand for "love and kisses"
CQ	-.-. --.-	"Calling any station", general call to all

What this means for you: Morse code has its own abbreviations and culture, much like modern texting shorthand. Ham radio operators use dozens of numeric codes (called "Q codes" and "Z codes") as shorthand for common phrases.

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How to use this tool

Choose the direction: Text to Morse or Morse to Text

Type or paste your input in the left panel

Copy the translated output from the right panel

Common uses

Encoding messages for amateur radio communication
Solving Morse code CTF challenges and puzzles
Learning the Morse alphabet interactively
Creating Morse-themed designs and artworks

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Morse code?

A character encoding system invented in the 1830s that represents letters and numbers as sequences of short signals (dots/dits) and long signals (dashes/dahs). It was designed for telegraph communication and became the first practical system for long-distance electronic messaging.

How do I read Morse code?

Dots are short signals, dashes are long (3x the length of a dot). Letters are separated by short gaps (3 dot-lengths), words by longer gaps (7 dot-lengths). In written Morse, dots are '.', dashes are '-', letter gaps are spaces, and word gaps are ' / '.

Is Morse code still used today?

Yes. Amateur radio operators use it worldwide (called 'CW' mode). Aviation NDB beacons identify themselves in Morse. Some accessibility devices use Morse for communication. And it's a popular topic in CTF competitions and computer science education.

What does SOS mean in Morse?

... --- ... (three dots, three dashes, three dots). It's the international distress signal, chosen in 1906 because it's distinctive and easy to recognise. 'Save Our Souls' is a backronym, the letters were chosen for their Morse simplicity, not their meaning.

Why are some letters shorter than others?

Samuel Morse designed the code around letter frequency in English. E (the most common letter) is a single dot. T is a single dash. Less common letters like Q (--.-) and Z (--...) have longer codes. This was an early form of data compression.

Can I send Morse code with my phone's flashlight?

Yes, many flashlight apps include a Morse SOS mode. For custom messages, you'd need to manually flash: short flash for dot, long flash for dash. It's a genuine survival skill, visible Morse signals can reach further than shouting.

Is my text sent to a server?

No. The translation uses a simple JavaScript lookup table in your browser. Nothing is transmitted, stored, or logged. The tool works completely offline.

Does it handle numbers and punctuation?

Yes. All digits 0-9 have five-element codes (e.g., 1 = .----, 5 = .....). Common punctuation is supported: period (.-.-.-), comma (--..--), question mark (..--..), and several others.

What characters are NOT supported?

Characters outside the International Morse Code standard, emoji, most Unicode characters, and many special symbols. Morse was designed for the English alphabet, digits, and basic punctuation. Extended Morse codes exist for other alphabets but aren't universally standardised.

How fast can someone send Morse?

Beginners: 5-10 words per minute. Competent operators: 20-30 WPM. World record: 75 WPM (roughly as fast as typing). The Farnsworth method teaches at full speed but with extra gaps between characters to build pattern recognition.

What's the difference between International and American Morse?

American Morse (used on US telegraph lines) had variable-length dashes and intra-character spaces. International Morse standardised all dashes to 3 dot-lengths with no intra-character spaces. International Morse replaced American Morse for all purposes by the mid-20th century.

Can I learn Morse code from this tool?

This tool is a translator, not a learning tool. For learning, use apps like 'Morse Toad' or the Koch method, start at full speed with just two characters, then add one character at a time. Translating written Morse and hearing Morse are very different skills.

Results are for general informational purposes only and should be checked before use. They are not professional advice. See our Disclaimer and Terms of Service.