How to translate Morse code
- Choose a direction — Text → Morse to encode plain text, or Morse → Text to decode Morse back to letters.
- Paste or type your input. The translation updates instantly with no button press needed.
- In decode mode, use a single space between letters and a slash (
/) between words. The pipe (|) and triple-space are also accepted as word separators. - Toggle the reference chart to see the full Morse alphabet at a glance without leaving the tool.
- Use “Swap” to immediately feed the output back as input — useful for double-checking a translation.
Morse code basics
Morse code represents each letter and digit as a sequence of dots (·) and dashes (−). A dot is a short signal; a dash is three times as long. The spacing rules are:
- Between dots/dashes within a letter — 1 unit of silence
- Between letters within a word — 3 units (written as one space)
- Between words — 7 units (written as
/)
The most famous Morse sequence is SOS — ... --- ... — chosen because it is easy to send and unmistakable even in poor conditions.
Common Morse code uses today
Amateur (ham) radio
CW (continuous wave) Morse is still used by radio operators worldwide. Many license exams test Morse fluency.
Aviation
VOR and NDB navigation beacons transmit their identifier in Morse code, audible to pilots tuning in.
Accessibility
Morse code can be input via single-switch devices, making it a viable communication method for people with limited mobility.
Emergency signalling
SOS transmitted by light, sound, or radio remains a recognised distress signal internationally.
Puzzles and escape rooms
Morse code is a popular puzzle element — translate a hidden message to find a clue or combination.
Learning and hobbyist projects
Arduino and Raspberry Pi projects commonly implement Morse code with LEDs or buzzers as a first signal-processing exercise.
Also try the ROT13 Encoder for a different kind of text cipher, or Binary Converter to translate text into binary.
Morse code reference
Need the full alphabet chart with every letter, digit, and punctuation mark? The Morse Code Alphabet guide has the complete reference table with timing rules and tips for learning the code.