> .-.-.- | morse | -.-.-- <
// Morse Code - Classic telegraph encoding with dots and dashes
Telegraph Era
Historic communication method used worldwide for over a century.
Sound Playback
Play morse code as audio beeps with authentic timing.
International
Support for letters, numbers, and common punctuation marks.
>> technical info
How Morse Code Works:
Morse code represents text characters as sequences of dots (short signals) and dashes (long signals). Each character has a unique pattern. Spaces separate letters, and slashes (/) separate words.
Examples:
SOS → ... --- ... HELLO → .... . .-.. .-.. --- A → .- B → -...
Why Use Morse Code:
- >Emergency signaling
- >Amateur radio
- >Historical education
- >Cryptography puzzles
- >Accessibility tools
>> frequently asked questions
What is Morse code?
Morse code is a method of encoding text characters using dots (short signals) and dashes (long signals). Developed in the 1830s for telegraph systems, it's still used today in emergency situations and amateur radio.
What does SOS mean in Morse code?
SOS in Morse code is ... --- ... (three dots, three dashes, three dots). It's an internationally recognized distress signal, chosen for its distinctive and easy-to-recognize pattern.
How fast is Morse code transmitted?
Morse code speed is measured in words per minute (WPM). Beginners typically start at 5-10 WPM, while experienced operators can reach 40+ WPM. The timing follows a 1:3:7 ratio for dot:dash:word-space.
Is Morse code still used today?
Yes! Morse code is still used in aviation, amateur radio, military training, and assistive technology for people with disabilities. It's also popular in escape rooms and puzzle games.
How do I translate text to Morse code online?
Type or paste your text into the INPUT area and click [TO MORSE]. Each letter is converted to its International Morse code equivalent, separated by spaces; words are separated by slashes (/). For example, HELLO WORLD becomes .... . .-.. .-.. --- / .-- --- .-. .-.. -... Capitalization doesn't matter — Morse code is case-insensitive.
How do I translate Morse code back to text?
Paste the dots-and-dashes sequence into the INPUT area and click [FROM MORSE]. Separate letters with spaces and words with / or triple-space. The decoder ignores any characters that aren't ., -, or separators, so you can paste Morse with line breaks or alternate notations (like · and —) — it will still work.
What is the full International Morse code alphabet?
The full ITU-R International Morse code reference:
| Letter | Code | Letter | Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | .- | N | -. |
| B | -... | O | --- |
| C | -.-. | P | .--. |
| D | -.. | Q | --.- |
| E | . | R | .-. |
| F | ..-. | S | ... |
| G | --. | T | - |
| H | .... | U | ..- |
| I | .. | V | ...- |
| J | .--- | W | .-- |
| K | -.- | X | -..- |
| L | .-.. | Y | -.-- |
| M | -- | Z | --.. |
Digits 0–9:
0 = -----, 1 = .----, 2 = ..---, 3 = ...--, 4 = ....-, 5 = ....., 6 = -...., 7 = --..., 8 = ---.., 9 = ----.
What are the timing rules for Morse code?
International Morse follows a strict ratio based on a single time unit (the length of one dot):
• Dot (dit): 1 unit
• Dash (dah): 3 units
• Space between parts of the same letter: 1 unit
• Space between letters: 3 units
• Space between words: 7 units
When someone says a Morse operator works at 20 WPM, they usually mean the 50-unit "PARIS" standard — one transmission of the word PARIS including the trailing word space is 50 units, so the unit length at 20 WPM is 60 ms.
Who invented Morse code?
The original American Morse code was developed in the 1830s by Samuel Morse, Alfred Vail, and Joseph Henry for use on the first commercial telegraph lines. The modern International Morse code (ITU-R M.1677) we use today was standardized in 1865 at the first International Telegraph Convention in Paris, with revisions to make it simpler and more consistent than the original American version. Non-Latin scripts (Russian, Greek, Japanese, Arabic) each have their own Morse variants.
Why is SOS the international distress signal?
SOS was chosen because its Morse pattern — ... --- ... (three dots, three dashes, three dots) — is extremely distinctive, easy to recognize even in noisy conditions, and can be sent without pause as a continuous nine-signal pattern. It was adopted at the 1906 Berlin International Radiotelegraph Convention, replacing the earlier CQD. Despite urban legend, SOS is not an abbreviation for "Save Our Souls" or "Save Our Ship" — those are backronyms invented later.
What common abbreviations and prosigns do Morse operators use?
Amateur radio and commercial telegraph operators use a rich shorthand:
• CQ — general call to any station ("seek you")
• DE — "from" (between call signs)
• K — "over, any station may transmit"
• KN — "over, specific station only"
• AR — end of message
• SK — end of contact
• 73 — "best regards"
• 88 — "love and kisses"
• QSL — "I acknowledge receipt" (from the Q-code system)
• QSY — "change frequency"