Morse Code Translator

How to use the Morse code translator

1. Text to Morse: type or paste into the Text box. Letters are separated by a space and words by a slash (/).
2. Morse to text: paste code into the Morse code box. Use . for a dot and - for a dash; the bullet • and long dash − that some sites use work too.
3. Listen: press Play sound. Drag Speed to set words per minute and Tone to change the pitch.
4. Copy either side with one click. Characters with no Morse equivalent (like #) are listed so nothing is lost silently.

Morse code alphabet

The International Morse Code letters (ITU-R M.1677-1). Short signals are dots, long signals are dashes.

Numbers in Morse code

Every digit is five signals long, which makes numbers easy to recognize by ear.

Punctuation

Common words and phrases in Morse

SOS is sent as one continuous signal, ...---...: rather than three separate letters. It was chosen because it is quick to send and impossible to mistake, not because it stands for “save our souls”.

Morse code timing

Morse is defined by rhythm, not just symbols. Everything is measured in units:

• a dot is 1 unit and a dash is 3 units;
• the gap between signals inside a letter is 1 unit;
• the gap between letters is 3 units, and between words 7 units.

Speed is given in words per minute (WPM) using the word “PARIS”, which is exactly 50 units long including the gap after it. At 20 WPM one unit lasts 60 ms. Beginners usually start around 5-12 WPM; experienced operators copy 25-40 WPM by ear. The translator plays at exactly this timing, so it is useful practice for learning to hear letters as sounds.

Tips for learning Morse code

• Learn by sound, not by chart. Memorizing “dot dash” makes you count; hearing “di-dah” as one sound makes you fast.
• Start with high speed characters and wide gaps (the Farnsworth method): letters at 18-20 WPM with extra space between them.
• Add letters gradually (the Koch method): start with two, add one more each time you copy 90% correctly.
• Practice little and often: ten minutes a day beats an hour a week.