How to use the translator
- Text to Morse: type or paste any text. Letters, numbers and common punctuation are converted; capital and small letters are the same in Morse.
- Morse to text: paste dots and dashes. Put one space between letters and a slash (or three spaces, or a new line) between words. Middle dots (·), en dashes (–) and underscores are accepted as dots and dashes.
- Listen: press Play sound to hear the code as a 600 Hz tone. Lower the speed to learn, raise it to practise copying by ear.
Morse code alphabet
| Letter | Code | Letter | Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | .- | N | -. |
| B | -... | O | --- |
| C | -.-. | P | .--. |
| D | -.. | Q | --.- |
| E | . | R | .-. |
| F | ..-. | S | ... |
| G | --. | T | - |
| H | .... | U | ..- |
| I | .. | V | ...- |
| J | .--- | W | .-- |
| K | -.- | X | -..- |
| L | .-.. | Y | -.-- |
| M | -- | Z | --.. |
Numbers
| Digit | Code |
|---|---|
| 0 | ----- |
| 1 | .---- |
| 2 | ..--- |
| 3 | ...-- |
| 4 | ....- |
| 5 | ..... |
| 6 | -.... |
| 7 | --... |
| 8 | ---.. |
| 9 | ----. |
Numbers follow a simple pattern: 1 to 5 start with dots and end with dashes, 6 to 0 start with dashes. Common punctuation also has codes: period .-.-.-, comma --..--, question mark ..--.., apostrophe .----., slash -..-., at sign .--.-. (added in 2004 for email addresses).
Timing: why the spaces matter
Morse code is a rhythm, measured in units. A dot lasts one unit and a dash three. Inside a letter, signs are separated by one unit of silence; letters are separated by three units and words by seven. Speed is given in words per minute (WPM) using the standard word “PARIS”, which takes exactly 50 units including the gap after it. At 15 WPM one unit is 1.2 ÷ 15 = 0.08 seconds, so “PARIS” on its own plays in 43 × 0.08 = 3.44 seconds. Amateur radio learners often start at 5 to 13 WPM; skilled operators copy 20 to 30 WPM and beyond.
SOS and other famous signals
- SOS —
... --- ..., sent as one continuous signal without letter gaps. It was chosen because it is easy to send and recognize, not because it stands for words. - CQ —
-.-. --.-, a radio call meaning “calling any station”. - 73 —
--... ...--, the operators’ “best regards”.
Accents and other alphabets
International Morse (ITU-R M.1677-1) covers the 26 Latin letters, digits and punctuation. Many languages added their own letters, such as Ä .-.-, É ..-.., Ñ --.--, Ö ---. and Ü ..--; several of these codes are shared between languages (Polish Ą also uses .-.-), so when decoding, the translator shows the letter listed first. Other accented letters are sent as their plain letter (Á as A, Ó as O). Russian Morse assigns the same patterns to Cyrillic letters — choose Cyrillic above to decode it.
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Frequently asked questions
What is SOS in Morse code?
SOS is ... --- ... — three dots, three dashes, three dots — sent without pauses between the letters.
How do I separate letters and words?
Use one space between letters and a slash between words, for example .... .. / - .... . .-. . for “HI THERE”. Three spaces or a new line also mark a new word.
Why does the sound not play?
Browsers allow sound only after you tap or click on the page, so press the Play button directly. On phones, also check that the silent switch or ring mode isn’t muting media.
Is Morse code still used?
Yes, by amateur radio operators, in aviation and marine navigation beacons that identify themselves in Morse, and as an accessibility input method for people who can operate only one or two switches.
How fast is Morse code?
Speed is measured in words per minute (WPM) using the standard word PARIS. Beginners often start at 5 to 13 WPM; experienced operators copy 20 to 30 WPM or more.
Last updated: October 14, 2026