What Morse code is
Morse code spells out text using two signals: a short one, called a dot or “dit”, and a long one, called a dash or “dah”. Each letter and number has its own pattern. The signals can be sent as sound, light, radio pulses or even taps, which is why the code has stayed useful for nearly two centuries.
It was developed in the 1830s and 1840s for the electric telegraph by Samuel Morse and Alfred Vail. The version used today is International Morse Code, which this translator follows.
How to use the translator
Text to Morse. Type in the left box. The code builds on the right.
Morse to text. Type or paste code in the right box. Use . for a dot and - for a dash. Separate letters with a space and words with /.
Listen. Press Play sound to hear the code at a steady beginner-friendly speed. Press it again to stop.
Capital and small letters give the same code, since Morse has no letter case.
Morse code alphabet
| Letter | Code | Letter | Code | Letter | Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | .- |
J | .--- |
S | ... |
| B | -... |
K | -.- |
T | - |
| C | -.-. |
L | .-.. |
U | ..- |
| D | -.. |
M | -- |
V | ...- |
| E | . |
N | -. |
W | .-- |
| F | ..-. |
O | --- |
X | -..- |
| G | --. |
P | .--. |
Y | -.-- |
| H | .... |
Q | --.- |
Z | --.. |
| I | .. |
R | .-. |
Numbers
| Number | Code | Number | Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | .---- |
6 | -.... |
| 2 | ..--- |
7 | --... |
| 3 | ...-- |
8 | ---.. |
| 4 | ....- |
9 | ----. |
| 5 | ..... |
0 | ----- |
The translator also handles common punctuation, including the full stop, comma, question mark, apostrophe, slash, brackets, colon, equals sign, plus, hyphen, quotation mark and the @ sign.
How the timing works
Morse is defined by rhythm, not by fixed lengths of time. Everything is measured in units:
- A dot lasts one unit.
- A dash lasts three units.
- The gap between signals inside a letter is one unit.
- The gap between letters is three units.
- The gap between words is seven units.
The most common letters have the shortest codes. “E” is a single dot and “T” is a single dash, which keeps messages short.
Common phrases
| Phrase | Morse code |
|---|---|
| SOS | ... --- ... |
| Hello | .... . .-.. .-.. --- |
| I love you | .. / .-.. --- ...- . / -.-- --- ..- |
Tips for learning Morse
- Learn by sound, not by sight. Listen to each letter as a rhythm (“di-dah” for A) and avoid counting dots and dashes.
- Start with a few letters. E, T, A, N, I and M use the simplest patterns.
- Practise a little each day. Ten minutes daily works better than an hour once a week.
- Type words here and play them back to check what you have learned.
To spell words aloud over a phone or radio, use the NATO phonetic alphabet translator.