Morse Code Translator

Convert text to Morse code and Morse code to text instantly. Learn Morse code with audio playback and practice exercises.

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Morse Code Basics: Dots (•) and dashes (–) represent letters and numbers. Dots are short signals, dashes are longer.

Enter English text (letters, numbers, basic punctuation) to convert to Morse code.
Use dots (.) or • for short signals, dashes (-) or – for long signals, spaces between letters, and / between words.
Audio Playback:
Play Morse Code
Stop
15 WPM
600 Hz
Quick Examples
SOS (... --- ...)
Hello
I love you
Numbers 0-9
Quick brown fox
Emergency SOS
73 best regards
CQ general call

Morse Code Alphabet Reference

International Morse code encodes the 26 basic Latin letters A through Z, one accented Latin letter (É), the Arabic numerals, and a small set of punctuation and procedural signals (prosigns).

Letters
Letter Morse Code Letter Morse Code Letter Morse Code
Numbers
Number Morse Code Number Morse Code Number Morse Code
Punctuation & Special Characters
Character Morse Code Character Morse Code Character Morse Code

Morse Code Timing Rules:

  • Dot: 1 unit
  • Dash: 3 units
  • Space between dots and dashes within a character: 1 unit
  • Space between characters: 3 units
  • Space between words: 7 units

Morse Code Practice

Test your Morse code knowledge with these interactive exercises.

Learning Progress 0%
What is the Morse code for the letter 'A'?
Score: 0/0 Streak: 0
Morse Code Learning Tips
1

Start with simple letters: Begin with letters that have short Morse code sequences like E (•), T (–), I (••), and M (––).

2

Learn in groups: Group letters with similar patterns together. For example, E (•), I (••), S (•••), H (••••).

3

Practice daily: Regular, short practice sessions are more effective than occasional long sessions.

4

Use audio: Listen to Morse code at different speeds to train your ear.

5

Test yourself: Use the practice tool above to test your knowledge and track your progress.

History of Morse Code

Morse code is a method used in telecommunication to encode text characters as standardized sequences of two different signal durations, called dots and dashes (or dits and dahs).

1836

Samuel Morse, Joseph Henry, and Alfred Vail develop an electrical telegraph system. Morse develops the code that will bear his name.

1844

The first telegram sent in the United States was "What hath God wrought" from Washington to Baltimore on May 24, 1844.

1865

International Morse code is standardized at the International Telegraphy conference in Paris.

1896

Guglielmo Marconi demonstrates wireless telegraphy using Morse code, revolutionizing long-distance communication.

1912

The sinking RMS Titanic uses Morse code to send distress signals (CQD and SOS), saving hundreds of lives.

1999

The last commercial telegram is sent, but Morse code remains in use by amateur radio operators and in certain military applications.

Applications of Morse Code Today

  • Amateur Radio: Many ham radio operators use Morse code for long-distance communication.
  • Aviation: Some navigation aids still transmit identifiers in Morse code.
  • Military: Used for low-probability-of-intercept communications.
  • Accessibility: Used by people with disabilities for communication.
  • Emergency Signaling: SOS (••• --- •••) remains the international distress signal.

Fun Fact: The most famous Morse code message is SOS (••• --- •••), which was introduced by the German government in 1905. Contrary to popular belief, SOS does not stand for "Save Our Souls" or "Save Our Ship" – it was chosen simply because it's easy to remember and recognize: three dots, three dashes, three dots.

Frequently Asked Questions

American Morse code (also known as Railroad Morse) was used in wired telegraph systems and has different timings and some different character encodings compared to International Morse code. International Morse code (also known as Continental Morse) is standardized worldwide and is used for radio communication. This translator uses International Morse code.

Professional telegraphers could send and receive Morse code at speeds of 20-30 words per minute (WPM). The fastest recorded speed was 75.2 WPM achieved by Ted R. McElroy in 1939. Most amateur radio operators communicate at speeds between 5-25 WPM.

Yes, SOS (••• --- •••) remains the international Morse code distress signal. While modern digital systems are more common, Morse code can be sent with simple equipment like a flashlight, mirror, or by tapping, making it valuable in survival situations when other communication methods fail.

With regular practice, you can learn the basics of Morse code in a few weeks. Learning to recognize characters at conversational speeds (10-15 WPM) typically takes 1-3 months of consistent practice. Use our practice tool above to help with your learning.

In amateur radio, "73" is a Morse code abbreviation that means "best regards." It originated in the Phillips Code, a set of abbreviations used in telegraphy. Other common abbreviations include "88" (love and kisses) and "SK" (end of contact, silent key).