Morse Code Translator
Convert text to Morse code and Morse code back to text, then play the beeps out loud.
Translate Morse code
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Morse code reference
Every letter, digit and common mark in one table.
How Morse code works
This free Morse code translator converts text to Morse code and Morse code back to text, and it can play the beeps out loud. It is for hobbyists, radio fans, students and anyone who wants to send a message in dots and dashes. There is no sign-up, nothing is uploaded, and the tool runs entirely in your browser.
What is Morse code?
Morse code is a way of sending messages with short and long signals, called dots and dashes. Samuel Morse and Alfred Vail created it in the 1830s for the electric telegraph. Each letter, digit and mark has its own pattern. A is dot dash, B is dash dot dot dot, and the distress signal SOS is three dots, three dashes, three dots.
How do you read Morse code?
Read Morse code by splitting the signals into letters. One space between groups means a new letter, while a slash means a new word. A dot is a short beep, and a dash lasts about three times as long as a dot. Start with common letters, such as E, T and A, then work out the rest of the word from the letters you know.
Why is SOS the distress signal?
SOS became the international distress signal because its pattern is simple and hard to mistake: three dots, three dashes, three dots. It was agreed at the Berlin radio conference in 1906. The letters do not stand for anything, and the familiar phrase Save Our Souls came later.
The first message sent by telegraph, in 1844, was What hath God wrought. Samuel Morse sent it from Washington to Baltimore. The phrase comes from the Book of Numbers, chapter 23, verse 23.
How long is a dot and a dash?
A dash lasts about three times as long as a dot. The gap between dots and dashes inside one letter lasts one dot, the gap between letters lasts three dots, and the gap between words lasts seven dots. This tool uses those standard gaps when it plays the beeps, so the sound follows the same timing as real Morse code.
What is the difference between American and International Morse code?
American Morse code, also called railroad Morse, was the original system used on United States telegraph lines. International Morse code is the version used around the world today. The two systems use different patterns for many letters, so a message in one cannot be read in the other. This tool uses International Morse code, the standard version.
Common Morse code words
The table below shows a few useful words in International Morse code, worked out letter by letter.
| Word | Morse code |
|---|---|
| HELLO | …. . .-.. .-.. — |
| WORLD | .– — .-. .-.. -.. |
| SOS | … — … |
| HELP | …. . .-.. .–. |
| THE | – …. . |
Frequently asked questions
How do I write a space in Morse code?
Use a slash / between words. Letters are separated by a single space. For example, …. .. / – …. . .-. . reads as HI THERE.
Does Morse code work for numbers?
Yes. Every digit has a five signal pattern. The digit 1 is dot dash dash dash dash, while 0 is five dashes. The reference table on this page lists all ten digits.
Can I translate Morse code with sound only?
Yes, if you know the patterns. Listen for short beeps, which are dots, and long beeps, which are dashes. This tool can play your translation, so you can hear how it sounds before you try it yourself.
Is Morse code still used today?
Yes, though not as much as before. Amateur radio operators still use it, and the United States Navy still trains sailors in Morse code. It is also a popular hobby and a useful skill for emergencies, because it works over a weak radio signal.
What is the fastest Morse code speed?
Skilled operators can send and receive more than 40 words per minute, and some can reach 60 words per minute or more. Beginners often start at 5 words per minute. Speed is measured in words per minute, using the word PARIS as the standard test word.
How do I learn Morse code?
Start with the most common letters, E, T, A, O, I and N, then add a few letters each day. Listen to the sounds rather than reading dots and dashes on paper. Short daily practice works better than long sessions once a week.
What is the difference between CW and Morse code?
CW stands for continuous wave, which is the radio signal used to send Morse code. Morse code is the code itself, the patterns of dots and dashes. Radio operators often use the two terms for the same thing.
More tools you may need
Need to count the words in your message? Try the Word Counter. Want to change the case of your text? Use the Case Converter. Curious how long a passage takes to read? Try the Reading Time Calculator.
