How to use the Morse code translator
- Text to Morse: type in the Text box. Letters are separated by a space and words by a slash.
- Morse to text: type or paste into the Morse box with dots and dashes. Look-alike characters such as •, ·, − and _ work too, and three spaces count as a word break.
- Listen or watch: press Play. Tick Flash light to see the message as a blinking light, or Vibrate on an Android phone.
- Set the speed: character speed sets how fast each letter is sent; lower the Farnsworth speed to add thinking time between letters while you learn.
Morse code letters and numbers
The full chart with punctuation and procedural signals, ready to print, is on the Morse code alphabet page.
How Morse code works
Morse code spells out each character as a short pattern of two signals: a short one, the dot or “dit”, and a long one, the dash or “dah”. Everything is measured in dot lengths. Under the international standard, a dash lasts three dots, the pause inside a letter lasts one dot, the pause between letters lasts three dots, and the pause between words lasts seven.
Common letters got the shortest codes. E is a single dot and T a single dash, while rare letters like Q and Y take four signals. Numbers always use five, which makes them easy to spot. Because only timing matters, Morse can be sent by radio tone, light, sound, tapping or vibration, which is why it still works when nothing else will.
Common words in Morse code
| SOS | ... --- ... |
| HELLO | .... . .-.. .-.. --- |
| I LOVE YOU | .. / .-.. --- ...- . / -.-- --- ..- |
| THANK YOU | - .... .- -. -.- / -.-- --- ..- |
| HELP | .... . .-.. .--. |
Morse code translator FAQ
How do I translate Morse code to English?
Paste or type the Morse code into the Morse box using dots (.) and dashes (-). Put a space between letters and a slash (/) between words. The English text appears instantly in the Text box. You can also paste Morse straight into the Text box and it will be decoded.
What is SOS in Morse code?
SOS is ... --- ... (three dots, three dashes, three dots). As a distress signal it is sent as one continuous run with no gaps between the letters. Type <SOS> with angle brackets to get that form.
What does WPM mean in Morse code?
Words per minute, measured with the standard word PARIS, which is exactly 50 dot-lengths long including the space after it. At 20 WPM a dot lasts 1200 ÷ 20 = 60 ms, a dash 180 ms, the gap between letters 180 ms and the gap between words 420 ms.
What is Farnsworth speed?
A way of learning Morse: each letter is sent at a normal speed so you learn its rhythm, but the gaps between letters and words are stretched so the overall speed is slower. For example, 18 WPM letters at a 5 WPM overall speed. Set the Farnsworth slider below the character speed to hear it.
Why are some characters skipped?
International Morse code has no signal for characters like %, # or emoji, so they are left out and listed under the text box. Letters with accents are also not part of the standard, except É.
Can I download the Morse code as audio?
Yes. Press Download WAV to save the message as a sound file at the speed and tone you chose. WAV files play on phones, computers and in most video editors.
Does the flashlight or vibration work on my phone?
The flashing light works in any browser. Vibration works in Chrome on Android; iPhone browsers don't let websites vibrate the phone, so that option is grayed out there.
Sources
- ITU-R Recommendation M.1677-1, “International Morse code” (10/2009): characters, signals and timing.
- Wikipedia, “Morse code”, and Montana State University EE475 Morse code table: cross-check of every character.
- ARRL, “A Standard for Morse Timing Using the Farnsworth Technique” (QEX, April 1990): the PARIS 50-unit standard and the Farnsworth spacing formula.