What is Morse code?
Morse code is a method of writing letters, numbers and punctuation as short signals (dots) and long signals (dashes). This Morse code translator converts text to Morse code and Morse code back to text, plays the result as beeps or a flashing light, and lets you download it as a WAV audio file.
How to use the Morse code translator
- Choose a direction. Pick Text to Morse to turn words into Morse code, or Morse to Text to decode dots and dashes.
- Type or paste. Enter your text, or Morse code with a space between letters and a slash between words.
- Play, copy or download. Press Play to hear the beeps and see the light, copy the result, or download it as a WAV audio file.
- Adjust speed and tone. Use the speed (words per minute) and tone (Hz) sliders to change how the Morse code sounds.
International Morse code chart
Use these tables to read or write Morse code by hand. A dot is a short signal and a dash is a long one.
Letters
| Character | Morse | Character | Morse | Character | 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 | --.. |
Numbers
| Character | Morse | Character | Morse | Character | Morse |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | ----- | 1 | .---- | 2 | ..--- |
| 3 | ...-- | 4 | ....- | 5 | ..... |
| 6 | -.... | 7 | --... | 8 | ---.. |
| 9 | ----. |
Punctuation
| Character | Morse | Character | Morse | Character | Morse |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| . | .-.-.- | , | --..-- | ? | ..--.. |
| ' | .----. | ! | -.-.-- | / | -..-. |
| ( | -.--. | ) | -.--.- | & | .-... |
| : | ---... | ; | -.-.-. | = | -...- |
| + | .-.-. | - | -....- | _ | ..--.- |
| " | .-..-. | $ | ...-..- | @ | .--.-. |
International Morse covers letters, numbers and a core set of punctuation marks. Some symbols here, such as ! & ; + _ and $, are common extensions rather than part of the formal standard.
Morse code timing rules
| Element | Length |
|---|---|
| Dot | 1 unit |
| Dash | 3 units |
| Gap between dots and dashes in a letter | 1 unit |
| Gap between letters | 3 units |
| Gap between words | 7 units |
One unit lasts 1.2 divided by the speed in words per minute, in seconds. At 15 WPM, a unit is 0.08 seconds.
Common Morse code phrases
| Phrase | Meaning | Morse |
|---|---|---|
| SOS | International distress signal | ...---... (sent as one signal) |
| CQ | General call to any station (amateur radio) | -.-. --.- |
| 73 | Best regards (amateur radio) | --... ...-- |
Good to know
This tool uses International Morse code for the Latin alphabet. Accented letters are converted to their plain letters, and characters it cannot translate, including Arabic, are skipped. Audio playback needs a browser that supports the Web Audio feature, which most modern browsers do.
Frequently asked questions
What is Morse code?
Morse code is a way of writing letters, numbers and punctuation as short signals called dots and long signals called dashes. It can be sent as sound, light or taps, and the modern standard is called International Morse code.
How do I translate text to Morse code?
Choose Text to Morse, type your message, and the Morse code appears instantly. Letters are separated by a space and words by a slash. For example, SOS becomes ... --- ...
How do I translate Morse code to text?
Choose Morse to Text and enter dots and dashes with one space between letters and a slash (/) between words. Any group the tool cannot match is shown as #.
What does SOS look like in Morse code?
The distress signal SOS is three dots, three dashes and three dots: ...---... When it is sent as a single signal there are no gaps between the letters. Typing the letters S, O and S in this translator gives ... --- ... with normal letter gaps.
How is the speed in words per minute (WPM) calculated?
This tool uses the standard PARIS timing, where the word PARIS equals 50 time units. One unit lasts 1.2 divided by the WPM in seconds, so 15 WPM gives a unit of 0.08 seconds. A dot is 1 unit, a dash is 3 units, the gap between letters is 3 units and the gap between words is 7 units.
Does the translator support Arabic or other alphabets?
No. It uses International Morse code for the Latin letters A to Z, the numbers 0 to 9 and common punctuation. Accented Latin letters are converted to their plain letters, and characters it cannot translate, including Arabic, are skipped.
Can I download the Morse code as audio?
Yes. Press Download .wav to save the Morse code as a WAV audio file at your chosen speed and tone. It is created in your browser.
Is this Morse code translator free and private?
Yes. It is free with no signup and no limit, and everything is processed in your browser. Your text is not sent or stored.
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