Home › Generators & Text Tools › Morse Code Translator
Morse Code Translator
The Morse Code Translator turns plain English into Morse code and turns Morse code back into plain English, right in your browser. Type a message, see the dots and dashes appear instantly, and press play to hear it as beeps at the speed you choose. It is free, needs no sign-up, and nothing you type ever leaves your device.
For decoding, separate letters with a space and words with / or three spaces. Example: .... . .-.. .-.. ---
How it works
Morse code gives every letter its own pattern of dots and dashes. The most common letters have the shortest patterns: E is a single dot and T is a single dash, while rarer letters such as Q and J need four signals. Digits all use five signals, and punctuation such as the period, comma, and question mark has its own pattern too. This translator knows all 26 letters, the digits 0 to 9, and the common punctuation marks.
To encode, type or paste your text, choose "Text to Morse code", and the translator swaps each character for its pattern, with a space between letters and a slash between words. To decode, choose "Morse code to text" and type dots and dashes, with a space between letters and a slash between words. The result updates as you type, so you can watch a message form letter by letter. If you type a character Morse code cannot represent — an accented letter, an emoji, or a symbol such as $ — the translator tells you which character it is and leaves it out, instead of silently dropping it or showing a confusing result.
The playback speed is measured in words per minute, or WPM. That is the standard way radio operators describe Morse speed, based on the word PARIS as a typical five-letter word. At 15 WPM a dot lasts about 80 milliseconds; at 5 WPM it lasts about 240 milliseconds, which gives a beginner time to hear each signal clearly. The audio uses your browser's built-in sound, with a clear 600 Hz tone, and stops cleanly if you press the button again or change the text.
Worked example
Suppose you want to send the word HELLO in Morse code. Type HELLO into the box, keep the direction set to "Text to Morse code", and the translator works letter by letter.
Step 1: H becomes four dots: ....
Step 2: E becomes one dot: .
Step 3: L becomes dot-dash-dot-dot: .-..
Step 4: The second L is the same: .-..
Step 5: O becomes three dashes: ---
Put the five groups together with a space between each one, and the tool shows exactly this: .... . .-.. .-.. ---. Press Play audio at 15 WPM and you hear the same pattern as beeps: four short beeps, one short beep, then the longer patterns for L, L, and O. Try it the other way too: paste .... . .-.. .-.. --- into the box, switch the direction to "Morse code to text", and the result reads HELLO.
FAQ
What is Morse code?
Morse code is a way of sending messages using short and long signals, called dots and dashes. Each letter, digit, and some punctuation marks has its own pattern of dots and dashes. It was invented in the 1830s and 1840s for the electric telegraph, and it is still used today by amateur radio operators, and learned by scouts, hobbyists, and puzzle fans.
How do I read Morse code?
Read each group of dots and dashes as one letter. A single space separates letters, and a slash or a longer gap separates words. Start with the easiest letters: E is one dot, T is one dash, and S is three dots. Type a Morse message into this translator and press Decode to see the letters appear.
What does SOS mean in Morse code?
SOS in Morse code is three dots, three dashes, three dots: ... --- ... It is the international distress signal, chosen because it is simple, unmistakable, and easy to send under pressure. It is often said to stand for Save Our Souls, but it was picked for its pattern, not for the words.
Why do some characters show an error?
Morse code only covers the letters A to Z, the digits 0 to 9, and a set of common punctuation marks such as the period, comma, and question mark. Letters with accents, emoji, and symbols such as the euro sign have no standard Morse pattern, so this translator flags them and leaves them out of the output rather than guessing.
Can I listen to the Morse code?
Yes. Press Play audio and the translator sounds out the Morse code as beeps through your speakers or headphones. The speed control sets the pace in words per minute: a low speed is best while you are learning, and a higher speed matches the pace used by experienced radio operators.