How does Morse code work?

Morse code uses dots (·) and dashes (−) to represent letters and numbers. A dot is a short signal. A dash is 3× longer than a dot. Letters are separated by spaces. Words are separated by longer spaces (7 units). Originally used in telegraphy, invented by Samuel Morse in 1837.

What does SOS look like in Morse code?

SOS in Morse code is: · · · − − − · · · (three dots, three dashes, three dots). It was chosen as the international distress signal because it is easy to transmit and recognise.

Can I listen to my Morse code?

Yes! Click the Play button to hear your text as Morse code audio using the Web Audio API. You can adjust the speed (WPM — words per minute) and tone frequency.

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Text to Morse Code

Convert any English text to Morse code instantly. See dots and dashes, listen to the audio, and explore the character-by-character breakdown.

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Morse code output

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Morse code reference chart

Char	Morse	Char	Morse	Char	Morse	Char	Morse

What is Morse code?

Morse code is a method of encoding text characters as standardised sequences of two different signal durations, called dots (·) and dashes (−). Developed by Samuel Morse and Alfred Vail in the 1830s for the electric telegraph, it was used extensively in maritime communication and is still used by amateur radio operators.

📡 Timing rules

Dot = 1 unit. Dash = 3 units. Gap between signals in a letter = 1 unit. Gap between letters = 3 units. Gap between words = 7 units. All timing is relative to the dot length.

🆘 SOS explained

SOS (· · · − − − · · ·) was chosen as the international distress signal in 1906. It's not an abbreviation — it was selected because it's simple and unmistakable: 3 short, 3 long, 3 short.

📻 Amateur radio

Proficiency in Morse code was required for amateur radio licenses until 2007 in most countries. Many operators still use it today for long-distance weak-signal communication where it outperforms voice.

🌐 International Morse

International Morse Code (ITU) standardised in 1865. Different from American Morse Code used in early US telegraphy. International Morse is simpler and more consistent — used globally today.

Frequently asked questions

How do I read Morse code?

Dots (·) are short signals. Dashes (−) are three times longer. Letters are separated by a space. Words are separated by a forward slash (/) in written notation. Practice by listening — start slow and gradually increase speed.

What does SOS mean in Morse code?

SOS is · · · − − − · · · (three dots, three dashes, three dots). It's the international distress signal. It was chosen not for its letters but because it's easy to transmit and hard to misidentify. The SOS sequence flows without inter-letter pauses.

What is WPM in Morse code?

WPM stands for Words Per Minute. The standard reference word is "PARIS" which contains exactly 50 signal units. At 18 WPM, a dot lasts 66ms. Beginners typically start at 5 WPM. Proficient operators work at 20-25 WPM. Speed champions exceed 60 WPM.

Can Morse code handle numbers and punctuation?

Yes. This tool supports all 26 letters, digits 0-9, and common punctuation including period, comma, question mark, exclamation, slash, colon, semicolon, parentheses, and more. Unsupported characters are skipped.