Text to Morse code, and back.
Type text on the left for Morse on the right, or paste Morse to decode it. Press play to hear it, with a light that flashes in time.
Morse code letters
Morse code numbers
Morse code punctuation
How Morse code works
Morse code spells each character as a pattern of short and long signals, called dots (dits) and dashes (dahs). It can be sent with any on/off signal: a radio tone, a flashlight, a buzzer or taps on a pipe. The most common letters get the shortest codes: E is a single dot and T a single dash.
- A dash lasts three times as long as a dot.
- The gap between the parts of one letter is one dot long.
- The gap between letters is three dots long; in written Morse it is a space.
- The gap between words is seven dots long; in written Morse it is a slash.
The translator follows the international standard (ITU-R M.1677). Characters with no Morse equivalent, such as emoji, are skipped and listed under the boxes. Accented letters are sent as their base letter.
Learning Morse code
Learn by sound, not by counting dots on a chart: listen to each letter at a full speed of around 18 to 20 WPM so it becomes a rhythm you recognise. Start with E, T, A, N, I and M, add a few letters at a time, and practise with short words. The play button above uses standard timing, so you can type words and listen along.
Frequently asked questions
What is SOS in Morse code? +
SOS is ... --- ... (three dots, three dashes, three dots). In practice it is sent as one continuous signal with no gaps between the letters, which is why it is easy to recognise.
How do I write Morse code with a keyboard? +
Use a full stop or period for a dot and a hyphen for a dash. Put a space between letters and a slash (/) between words, for example .... .. / - .... . .-. . for "hi there". The translator also accepts •, · and − as dots and dashes.
How fast is Morse code? +
Speed is measured in words per minute using the word PARIS as the standard. Beginners copy at 5 to 10 WPM, licensed radio amateurs often work at 15 to 25 WPM, and experts exceed 40 WPM. Use the speed slider to practise at any rate.
What are the timing rules? +
A dot is one unit long and a dash is three. The gap inside a letter is one unit, the gap between letters is three units, and the gap between words is seven. At 20 WPM one unit is 60 milliseconds.
Is Morse code still used? +
Yes. Amateur radio operators use it daily, aviation navigation beacons identify themselves in Morse, and it remains a fallback for emergency signalling with light or sound when voice is impossible.
Does Morse code have lowercase letters or accents? +
No. International Morse code has no case, so the translator outputs capitals. Accented letters are sent as their plain letter here; some languages have extra codes for letters such as Ä or Ñ, but they are not part of the international standard.