Morse Code Converter — Text to Morse Code & Morse to Text
Samuel Morse’s invention changed global communication forever. Today, Morse code lives on in amateur radio, aviation, military training, and accessibility tools. Our free online Morse Code Converter instantly translates any text into Morse code dots and dashes, and decodes any Morse sequence back into readable text — entirely in your browser with no data sent to any server.
What Is Morse Code?
Morse code is a telecommunication system where each letter, digit, and punctuation mark is encoded as a sequence of short signals (dots, .) and long signals (dashes, -). It was developed by Samuel Morse and Alfred Vail in the 1830s for the electric telegraph.
The key insight was that the most common letters in English (E, T, A) got the shortest codes, while rare letters (Q, Z) got longer sequences — making transmission efficient.
International Morse Code Reference
| Letter | Code | Letter | Code | Digit | Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | .- | N | -. | 0 | ----- |
| B | -... | O | --- | 1 | .---- |
| C | -.-. | P | .--. | 2 | ..--- |
| D | -.. | Q | --.- | 3 | ...-- |
| E | . | R | .-. | 4 | ....- |
| F | ..-. | S | ... | 5 | ..... |
| G | --. | T | - | 6 | -.... |
| H | .... | U | ..- | 7 | --... |
| I | .. | V | ...- | 8 | ---.. |
| J | .--- | W | .-- | 9 | ----. |
| K | -.- | X | -..- | ||
| L | .-.. | Y | -.-- | ||
| M | -- | Z | --.. |
How to Use the Morse Code Converter
Text to Morse:
- Type or paste your text into the input field
- The Morse code equivalent appears instantly below
- Each letter is separated by a space; words are separated by
/ - Click Copy to copy the Morse code output
Morse to Text:
- Switch to the “Decode” tab
- Enter your Morse code using dots (
.) and dashes (-), with spaces between letters and/between words - The decoded text appears instantly
Spacing Rules in Morse Code
Proper spacing is critical for accurate Morse decoding:
| Spacing | Meaning |
|---|---|
| No space | Part of same character (.-- = W) |
| Single space | Separation between characters |
/ (space-slash-space) | Separation between words |
// | End of message (optional) |
Where Is Morse Code Still Used Today?
- Amateur (Ham) Radio: Morse code proficiency is still valued — many operators prefer CW (Continuous Wave) Morse over voice for weak-signal DX contacts
- Aviation: Airport beacons broadcast their identifier in Morse code as a backup identification system
- Military: Morse is taught as a backup communication method when electronic systems fail
- Accessibility: Some people with limited mobility use Morse code to communicate via switch devices. iOS and Android support Morse input
- Spy Fiction & Escape Rooms:
SOS(. . . - - - . . .) remains the universal distress signal
Frequently Asked Questions
What does SOS mean in Morse code?
SOS is . . . - - - . . . (three dots, three dashes, three dots). Despite popular belief, it doesn’t stand for “Save Our Ship” or “Save Our Souls” — it was chosen purely because the pattern is easy to send and recognize, especially by someone with no Morse training.
Is Morse code still used in aviation?
Yes. Non-directional beacons (NDB) and VOR radio navigation stations still transmit their identifier in Morse code. Pilots can verify they are tuned to the correct station by listening for the Morse ID. Commercial pilots learn basic Morse identification as part of their instrument rating.
What’s the fastest someone can send Morse code?
Trained operators can send and receive Morse at 30–40 words per minute (WPM). Champion Morse operators have recorded speeds above 60 WPM using a straight key. With an electronic keyer, some operators transmit above 100 WPM.
Can I use dots and dashes interchangeably with · and —?
Our converter accepts both ASCII representations (. and -) and visual representations (· and —). It also accepts * as a dot alternative used in some older systems.
Does it support punctuation and special characters?
Yes. Common punctuation marks including period (.--.-), comma (--..--), question mark (..--..), and hyphen (-....-) are supported. Less common characters vary by national Morse code variant; our tool uses International (ITU) Morse code.
