Morse Code Translator
Type text to get Morse code, or paste dots and dashes to decode them: the direction is detected automatically. Play the result as audio with a blinking light, adjust the speed and tone, or download it as a WAV file, all in your browser.
Morse code chart (click a sign to hear it)
How to use the Morse Code Translator
- Type or paste text or Morse code in the left box. The badge shows which direction was detected; pick Text → Morse or Morse → Text to force it.
- Choose the format: the word separator (/, | or 3 spaces) and the dot and dash symbols for the output.
- Press Play sound to hear it and watch the light blink. Set character speed, Farnsworth speed, tone and volume first if you like.
- Copy the result or press Download WAV to save the audio.
- Learn: open the Morse code chart and click any letter to hear its rhythm.
International Morse code timing
| Element | Length | At 20 WPM | At 5 WPM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dot (dit) | 1 unit | 60 ms | 240 ms |
| Dash (dah) | 3 units | 180 ms | 720 ms |
| Gap inside a letter | 1 unit | 60 ms | 240 ms |
| Gap between letters | 3 units | 180 ms | 720 ms |
| Gap between words | 7 units | 420 ms | 1,680 ms |
The unit length is 1.2 seconds ÷ WPM. With Farnsworth spacing (character speed c, effective speed s) the extra delay per standard word is ta = (60c − 37.2s) ÷ (s·c) seconds, split into letter gaps of 3ta/19 and word gaps of 7ta/19, following the ARRL formula.
Morse code alphabet and numbers
| Letter | Code | Letter | Code | Letter | Code | Digit | Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | .- | J | .--- | S | ... | 1 | .---- |
| B | -... | K | -.- | T | - | 2 | ..--- |
| C | -.-. | L | .-.. | U | ..- | 3 | ...-- |
| D | -.. | M | -- | V | ...- | 4 | ....- |
| E | . | N | -. | W | .-- | 5 | ..... |
| F | ..-. | O | --- | X | -..- | 6 | -.... |
| G | --. | P | .--. | Y | -.-- | 7 | --... |
| H | .... | Q | --.- | Z | --.. | 8 | ---.. |
| I | .. | R | .-. | 9 / 0 | ----. / ----- |
Common prosigns and abbreviations
- <SOS> ...---... – distress signal, sent without letter gaps.
- <AR> .-.-. – end of message (same code as +).
- <SK> ...-.- – end of contact.
- <BT> -...- – break / new paragraph (same code as =).
- <KN> -.--. – go ahead, only the station called (same code as an opening bracket).
- CQ -.-. --.- – calling any station; 73 --... ...-- – best regards.
Because prosigns such as AR and BT share their codes with + and =, the decoder shows the punctuation mark; only codes that are unique to a prosign (for example ...-.- for <SK>) are decoded as prosigns. For other encodings of text, try the Binary Translator.
Frequently asked questions
How do I write SOS in Morse code?
SOS is ... --- ... (three dots, three dashes, three dots). As a distress signal it is sent as one continuous prosign without letter gaps: ...---... Type <SOS> to get the joined version, or SOS for three separate letters.
How are letters and words separated?
In written Morse a single space separates letters and a slash (/) or bar (|) separates words. When decoding, this translator also accepts two or more spaces as a word gap. In sound, a letter gap is 3 dot lengths and a word gap is 7 dot lengths.
What does WPM mean in Morse code?
Words per minute, measured with the standard word PARIS, which is exactly 50 dot units long. At 20 WPM one dot lasts 1.2 / 20 = 0.06 seconds (60 ms), a dash 180 ms, the gap between letters 180 ms and between words 420 ms.
What is Farnsworth timing?
Farnsworth timing sends each character at a fast speed but stretches the gaps between characters and words, so the overall (effective) speed is lower. Learners hear the true rhythm of each letter instead of counting dots. Set the character speed to 18–20 WPM and the Farnsworth speed to 5–10 WPM to practise this way.
Why does my decoded text contain #?
A # marks a sequence of dots and dashes that is not a valid Morse character, often because a letter gap is missing (two letters run together) or a symbol was mistyped. Check the spacing around that spot.
Does Morse code have lowercase letters?
No. Morse code has no letter case, so decoded text is shown in capitals and both upper and lower case letters encode the same way.
Does the sound work on phones?
Yes. Audio starts when you press Play sound. On iPhone, turn off silent mode if you hear nothing, or use Light only to follow the blinking lamp.