Morse code is a method of encoding text as sequences of short and long signals — dots (·) and dashes (—). Developed in the 1830s by Samuel Morse and Alfred Vail, it was originally designed for electrical telegraph communication.
Each letter, number, and punctuation mark has a unique pattern. A dot is a short signal; a dash is three times longer. Characters are separated by a brief pause, words by a longer one.
Today, Morse code is still used in aviation, amateur radio, emergency communication, and as an assistive technology for people with limited mobility.
Everything you need to translate, learn, and practice Morse code — free and directly in your browser.
Type any text and instantly see the Morse code equivalent. Supports all letters, digits, and common punctuation.
Enter Morse code using dots (.) and dashes (–) and decode it back to readable English text in real time.
One-click copy sends your translation to the clipboard — ready to paste into any app or document.
Hear your Morse code played as timed audio tones using the Web Audio API. No downloads or plugins needed.
Visualize the signal as on-screen light flashes, synchronized with audio timing for a realistic experience.
Adjust playback speed (WPM), pitch (Hz), and volume to match your learning pace or signaling preference.
Type or paste your input into the left panel. For Morse code input, use dots (.) and dashes (-), with spaces between characters and a forward slash ( / ) between words.
Use the swap button between the panels. Encode converts plain text to Morse code; Decode converts Morse code back to English. The result updates instantly as you type.
Hit Play to hear the Morse code as audio tones with adjustable speed, pitch, and volume. Use Light to flash the signal visually. Copy the result or download it as TXT or Word.
The complete international Morse code reference. Use this chart to look up any character while encoding or decoding messages.
| Char | Morse | Char | Morse | Char | Morse | Char | Morse |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | ·— | B | —··· | C | —·—· | D | —·· |
| E | · | F | ··—· | G | ——· | H | ···· |
| I | ·· | J | ·——— | K | —·— | L | ·—·· |
| M | —— | N | —· | O | ——— | P | ·——· |
| Q | ——·— | R | ·—· | S | ··· | T | — |
| U | ··— | V | ···— | W | ·—— | X | —··— |
| Y | —·—— | Z | ——·· |
| Char | Morse | Char | Morse | Char | Morse | Char | Morse |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | ————— | 1 | ·———— | 2 | ··——— | 3 | ···—— |
| 4 | ····— | 5 | ····· | 6 | —···· | 7 | ——··· |
| 8 | ———·· | 9 | ————· |
| Symbol | Morse | Symbol | Morse | Symbol | Morse | Symbol | Morse |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| . | ·—·—·— | , | ——··—— | ? | ··——·· | ! | —·—·—— |
| / | —··—· | @ | ·——·—· | & | ·—··· | : | ———··· |
| = | —···— | + | ·—·—· | - | —····— | ' | ·————· |
Morse code is straightforward once you know the basic rules. Here's what you need to read and write it correctly.
Each character is a unique combination of dots and dashes. To read Morse code, identify each group of signals between gaps, then match it to the alphabet chart above. A single space separates characters; a slash (/) or longer gap separates words.
Use a dot (.) for short signals and a dash (-) for long ones. Place a single space between characters within a word and use / (space-slash-space) to divide words. Example: .... . .-.. .-.. --- = HELLO.
A dot lasts one unit; a dash lasts three. The gap between elements in a character is one unit, between characters is three units, and between words is seven units. Speed is measured in words per minute (WPM).
The most frequent errors are missing the space between characters, confusing similar codes (like E = · and I = ··), and inconsistent dash notation. Always use standard dots and dashes — not letters or other substitutes.
You don't need to memorize all 26 letters at once. Follow this progression to build fluency gradually.
Begin with E (·), T (—), I (··), and A (·—). These are the shortest, most common codes and give you a quick foundation to build on.
Once you know 8–10 letters, try encoding short words like IT, AT, TIE, and EAT. Use the generator above to check your work instantly.
Listening is faster than reading. Use the Play button to hear Morse code at a low WPM, then gradually increase speed as your ear adjusts.
Challenge yourself with actual Morse sequences. Paste a Morse string into the decoder, guess the meaning first, then reveal the result. This active recall method builds retention fast.
Here are frequently searched phrases already translated into Morse code.
Morse code is over 180 years old, but it remains relevant across several fields today.
Morse code (CW) remains popular among ham radio operators worldwide. It works reliably at very low signal strength, making it ideal for long-distance and weak-signal communication.
SOS (··· ——— ···) is universally recognized as a distress signal. Morse code can be transmitted with light, sound, or radio when voice communication is impossible.
Aviation navigational aids (VORs and NDBs) still broadcast their station identifiers in Morse code. Pilots learn to identify these signals as part of standard flight training.
Morse code appears in escape rooms, geocaching puzzles, video games, and cryptography challenges. It's a staple of ARGs and puzzle hunts thanks to its recognizable yet unfamiliar pattern.
Type or paste your text into the input box on the left. Make sure the converter is set to Encode mode (default). The Morse code equivalent appears instantly in the right panel.
Click the swap button to switch to Decode mode. Enter your Morse code using dots (.) and dashes (-), separating characters with spaces and words with " / ". The translated text will appear immediately.
A dot (·) represents a short signal, and a dash (—) represents a long signal three times the duration of a dot. Every letter and number is encoded as a unique combination of dots and dashes.
SOS is ··· ——— ··· (three dots, three dashes, three dots). It is the internationally recognized distress signal, chosen because the pattern is easy to transmit and recognize under stress.
Yes. Morsecodegenerator is completely free with no sign-up required. All features — translation, audio playback, light flash, and file export — are available at no cost.
Yes. After translating your text, click the Play button to hear the Morse code as audio tones in your browser. Adjust the speed (WPM), pitch (Hz), and volume using the sliders below the converter.
Use a dot (.) for a short signal and a dash (-) for a long signal. Separate each character with a single space, and separate words with " / " (space-slash-space). Example: .... . .-.. .-.. --- / .-- --- .-. .-.. -.. decodes to HELLO WORLD.