Morse Code Translator
Convert between text and International Morse Code
Input Information
Result
Morse Code Translator converts between plain text and International Morse Code. Morse code uses dots (.) and dashes (-) to represent letters, numbers, and special characters.
This tool supports bidirectional conversion and includes a sound playback feature that generates the actual audio tones for the Morse code pattern.
A = .- | B = -... | C = -.-. | D = -.. | E = .
Term Glossary
- Morse Code
- A communication code that represents letters, numbers, and symbols using a combination of short signals (dots) and long signals (dashes).
- Dot and Dash
- The two basic signals that make up Morse code. A dot is sent at 1 unit length and a dash at 3 units; their combinations distinguish each character.
- International Morse Code
- The internationally recognized Morse code standard. It defines characters, numbers, and the word separator (/) among others.
- 1
Type text
Enter the plain text you want to convert. Letters, numbers, and some symbols are supported.
- 2
See the Morse output
Your input is converted to International Morse code using dots (.) and dashes (-).
- 3
Play the sound
If available, press the play button to hear the actual audio tones of the Morse pattern.
- 4
Copy
Copy the converted Morse code to your clipboard for transmission or study.
Example 1 — SOS
S O S = ... --- ...
S is '...' and O is '---', so 'SOS' becomes '... --- ...'. A 3-unit character gap separates the three letters. SOS is the universally recognized distress signal, simple enough to recognize even without knowing Morse.
Example 2 — HELLO
H E L L O = .... . .-.. .-.. ---
H is '....', E is '.', L is '.-..', and O is '---', so 'HELLO' becomes '.... . .-.. .-.. ---'. Notice the repeated L appears as '.-..' twice. Letters are separated by spaces and words by '/'.
Morse Code Structure:
- Dot (.) = short signal (1 unit duration)
- Dash (-) = long signal (3 units duration)
- Letter gap = 3 units between letters
- Word gap = 7 units between words (represented by /)
SOS: ... --- ...
Tips:
- Morse code is case-insensitive - uppercase and lowercase letters produce the same code.
- Use / (space-slash-space) to separate words in Morse code.
- SOS (... --- ...) is the universal distress signal - recognizable even without knowing Morse code.
- The sound playback uses a 600Hz sine wave, which is the standard frequency for Morse code audio.
QWhat is the history of Morse code?
Developed in the 1830s by Samuel Morse and Alfred Vail for telegraphy, it sent its first public message 'What hath God wrought' in 1844 between Washington and Baltimore. Dots and dashes represented characters, becoming central to telegraph and radio, later standardized internationally.
QWhat are the dot and dash timing rules? (SOS example)
Using one time unit as base, a dot is 1 unit and a dash is 3 units. Gaps are 1 unit between elements within a character, 3 units between characters, and 7 units between words. SOS is '. . . (3) --- (3) . . .' — accurate timing is essential for correct decoding.
QWhat is the difference between International and American Morse?
American Morse is the older system from early telegraphy with irregular per-character lengths. International Morse, standardized by the ITU in 1865, uses uniform dot/dash lengths and is the globally used system today. This tool follows the international standard.
QWhat are the encoding rules for letters and numbers?
Frequent letters get the shortest codes: E (.) and T (-) are shortest, while Z (--..) and Q (--.-) are long. Numbers 0–9 each use five elements, progressing regularly from 1 (.----) through 9 (----.) and 0 (-----). Codes are case-insensitive.
QWhat resources can help me learn Morse code?
Koch-method audio training apps, character reference charts, and the official ITU specification are helpful. Learning by sound (rather than visual memory) builds proficiency faster, and beginners should start with frequent characters like S, O, T, E, and A.