Morse Code Translator

This free Morse code translator turns text into Morse code and Morse back into text as you type, using the International Morse Code table (ITU-R M.1677-1). You can also hear any message with a flashing light, save it as a WAV file, tap out Morse on a big key and have it decoded, and learn the code one character at a time. No download or sign-up.

What the translator does

Morse code sends each character as a pattern of dots (dits) and dashes (dahs). The International code covers A to Z, the accented letter É, the digits 0 to 9, thirteen punctuation marks (including the @ sign) and a few procedural signals called prosigns. Morse has no upper or lower case, so decoded text is shown in capitals.

In the Morse box, dots are written as . and dashes as –, with a space between letters and a / between words. For example, “Hello world” becomes .... . .-.. .-.. --- / .-- --- .-. .-.. -...

How to use it

• Prosigns: a prosign is sent as one run of dots and dashes with no letter gaps. Write it in angle brackets, like <SOS> (...---...) or <SK> (end of work). If you type SOS as a plain word, the tool offers to switch it to the prosign.
• Signs outside the standard: !, &, ;, _ and $ are not in the ITU table, so they are skipped unless you tick “Non-ITU signs” to use their common unofficial codes.
• Play: press Play to hear the message. The lamp lights for every dot and dash, and Vibrate buzzes along on phones that support it.
• Tap: press the big key or hold Space. The tool decodes your taps into letters and words.
• Learn: lessons start with two characters, K and M. Type what you hear, and score 90% in a ten-question round to unlock the next character.

Speed, timing and Farnsworth spacing

The timing follows the International standard: a dot is one unit long, a dash is three units, the gap inside a letter is one unit, the gap between letters is three units and the gap between words is seven. Speed is set in words per minute (WPM) using the standard word PARIS, which is 50 units long including the gap after it, so one unit lasts 1200 divided by the WPM in milliseconds. At 20 WPM a dot lasts 60 ms.

Farnsworth spacing keeps each letter at full speed but stretches the gaps between letters and words, so the overall speed is slower. It uses the ARRL formula, so the word PARIS takes exactly one minute divided by your slower overall speed.

How the tap decoder works

Nobody taps with perfect timing, so the decoder has no fixed speed. It works out the unit length that best fits your recent presses and pauses, with newer taps counting more. A press under two units is a dot and a longer one is a dash; a pause of two units ends a letter and four and a half units starts a new word. Its speed estimate is shown under the key.

How the lessons work

The Learn tab follows the idea of the Koch method, published by Ludwig Koch in 1936: hear characters at full speed from the start, begin with just two, and add one more each time you copy the current set with 90% accuracy. The newest character comes up more often, and drills use your Play speed and spacing. After each round you see your accuracy, average response time per character and any characters you missed; passed lessons and recent rounds are saved in your browser. The Chart view lists every sign; tap one to hear it.

Tips for learning Morse code

• Learn the sound, not the picture. Try to recognize each letter’s rhythm rather than counting dots and dashes.
• Keep the character speed up. Slow, drawn-out letters sound different from real ones. Add Farnsworth spacing instead of lowering the speed.

FAQ

What does SOS look like in Morse code?

SOS is three dots, three dashes and three dots: ...---.... It is sent as one prosign with no gaps between the letters, which is why the tool offers <SOS>.

Which version of Morse code does it use?

International Morse Code as set out in ITU-R M.1677-1, the version used worldwide today. It does not cover American (railroad) Morse or the codes for other alphabets.

Can I save the Morse code audio?

Yes. Download WAV saves the message as a WAV sound file with your speed, spacing and tone.

Want more to do with your keyboard? Test your speed in our Typing Test, or train your memory for patterns with Simon.