Morse code is a method of encoding text using sequences of dots (.) and dashes (-). It was developed by Samuel Morse in the 1830s for telegraph communication. Each letter and number has a unique pattern. For example, 'E' is a single dot (the most common letter), while 'SOS' is '... --- ...' (the international distress signal).

How do I read Morse code?

In Morse code: dot (.) is a short signal, dash (-) is a long signal (typically 3x dot length). Letters are separated by a pause (1 dot length), words are separated by a longer pause (7 dot lengths). In written form, we use spaces between letters and / or | between words.

Why is SOS the distress signal?

SOS (... --- ...) was chosen as the international distress signal because it's easy to recognize and transmit. It's a continuous sequence without letter breaks, making it unmistakable even in poor conditions. Contrary to popular belief, SOS doesn't stand for 'Save Our Souls' - it was chosen purely for its distinctive pattern.

What characters are supported?

This tool supports: letters A-Z, numbers 0-9, and common punctuation (period, comma, question mark, apostrophe, exclamation, slash, parentheses, ampersand, colon, semicolon, equals, plus, minus, underscore, quotes, dollar, at sign). Unsupported characters are skipped during encoding.

Is Morse code still used today?

Yes! Morse code is still used in: amateur radio (ham radio), aviation (navigation beacons), maritime communication (backup for voice), emergency signaling, and assistive technology for people with disabilities. While no longer required for most radio operators, it remains a useful skill and is still tested for some licenses.

How do I format Morse code input?

When decoding, separate letters with spaces and words with / or |. For example: '.- .-.. .-.. / --- -.-. -.' means 'ALL OK'. You can use multiple spaces between letters - they'll be treated as one. The tool will validate the input and show an error if invalid Morse sequences are found.

Tools

Mode

Input (Text)

Output (Morse)

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Morse Code Converter — Encode & Decode Morse Code

Free Morse code converter to encode text to Morse code and decode Morse code to text. Support for letters, numbers, and punctuation. Perfect for learning Morse code. All conversion runs locally in your browser.

Features

✓Encode text to Morse code
✓Decode Morse code to text
✓Support for letters (A-Z)
✓Support for numbers (0-9)
✓Support for punctuation
✓Instant conversion as you type
✓Copy result with one click
✓Perfect for learning Morse code
✓Educational tool
✓All conversion runs locally in your browser

How to Use

1Select conversion mode (encode or decode).
2Enter your text or Morse code in the input field.
3The result appears instantly.
4Click copy button to copy the result.
5Switch modes to convert in the opposite direction.

Frequently Asked Questions

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