Morse Code Translator
Morse Code TranslatorText ↔ Morse
About Morse Code
Morse code is a method of encoding text using sequences of dots (.) and dashes (-). Invented by Samuel Morse in the 1830s for telegraph communication, it remains useful today for emergency signaling and amateur radio. The code uses shorter sequences for more common letters (E = .) and longer sequences for less common ones (Q = --.-).
Related Tools
What is Morse Code?
Morse code is a method of encoding text characters using standardized sequences of two different signal durations: dots (.) and dashes (-). Named after Samuel Morse, one of its inventors, this communication system was developed in the 1830s and 1840s for use with the telegraph.
Each letter, number, and punctuation mark is represented by a unique combination of dots and dashes. For example, the famous distress signal SOS is represented as "... --- ..." - three dots, three dashes, three dots. The code was designed so that the most common letters have the shortest codes (E is just a single dot).
This free online tool converts text to Morse code and decodes Morse code back to text. It supports the International Morse Code standard and includes audio playback functionality so you can hear how the code sounds.
How to Use Morse Code
Timing Rules
- A dash is three times longer than a dot
- Gap between symbols in same letter: 1 unit
- Gap between letters: 3 units
- Gap between words: 7 units
Common Codes
- SOS: ... --- ... (distress signal)
- OK: --- -.- (acknowledgment)
- AR: .-.-. (end of transmission)
- SK: ...-.- (end of contact)
Learning Tips
- Start with E (.) and T (-) - the simplest
- Learn letters by their sound, not visual
- Practice at consistent speed
- Use mnemonics for difficult patterns
Modern Uses
- Amateur radio communication
- Aviation and maritime emergencies
- Assistive technology for disabilities
- Puzzle games and escape rooms
History of Morse Code
Origins (1830s-1840s)
Samuel Morse, along with Alfred Vail, developed Morse code in the United States to work with their electrical telegraph system. The first message sent by Morse on May 24, 1844, was "What hath God wrought" transmitted from Washington D.C. to Baltimore.
International Adoption
The original American Morse Code was later modified to International Morse Code (also known as Continental Morse Code) at a conference in 1848. This version became the standard for international communications and is what this tool implements.
The SOS Signal
SOS (... --- ...) was adopted as the international distress signal in 1905. Contrary to popular belief, SOS doesn't stand for "Save Our Souls" - it was chosen because it's easy to recognize and hard to mistake for anything else.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I type Morse code in this tool?
Use periods (.) for dots and hyphens (-) for dashes. Separate letters with spaces and words with forward slashes (/). For example: ".... . .-.. .-.. --- / .-- --- .-. .-.. -.." decodes to "HELLO WORLD".
Does the audio feature work on all browsers?
The audio playback uses the Web Audio API, which is supported in all modern browsers including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. Some mobile browsers may require you to interact with the page first before audio can play.
What characters does this translator support?
This tool supports all letters (A-Z), numbers (0-9), and common punctuation marks including period, comma, question mark, apostrophe, exclamation mark, slash, parentheses, and more. Characters not in the Morse code standard are passed through unchanged.
Is my data sent to a server?
No. All encoding and decoding is done entirely in your browser using JavaScript. Your data never leaves your device, making this tool completely private.