Morse Code Translator
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Convert plain text to International Morse code and decode Morse back into text, with optional audio playback so you can hear the dots and dashes. Everything runs locally in your browser.
How International Morse code is structured
Morse code encodes each letter, digit and punctuation mark as a unique sequence of short signals (dots, or ‘dits’) and long signals (dashes, or ‘dahs’). The International standard — the one this tool uses — was refined from Samuel Morse's original American Morse in the 1860s and remains the version used in aviation, amateur radio and maritime signalling today.
The spacing carries as much meaning as the symbols. Within a single letter, dots and dashes are separated by one unit of silence. Between letters there are three units, and between words seven units. In written Morse those gaps are represented as a single space between letters and a forward slash (/) between words, which is exactly the format this translator produces and accepts.
Reading Morse timing
The rhythm follows fixed proportions relative to one ‘unit’ of time. Getting these ratios right is what makes Morse readable by ear rather than a jumble of beeps:
- A dot is one unit long; a dash is three units.
- The gap between dots and dashes inside a letter is one unit.
- The gap between letters is three units.
- The gap between words is seven units.
- Speed is measured in words per minute (WPM), using the word ‘PARIS’ as the standard length benchmark.
Where Morse still shows up
Long after telegraph wires were retired, Morse endures because it's remarkably robust: a dot-dash pattern can punch through noise, weak signals and low bandwidth where voice would be unintelligible. Amateur radio operators use it daily, aviation navigation beacons still broadcast their identifiers in Morse, and the distress signal SOS (··· ——— ···) remains universally recognised.
It also has a quieter modern life as an accessibility tool — people with limited mobility can input Morse through a single switch — and as a fun way to send hidden messages. Using the Play button here is one of the fastest ways to train your ear to recognise the patterns.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my decoded text have wrong or missing letters?
Decoding relies on correct spacing: exactly one space between letters and a / between words. If letters run together with no gaps, the tool can't tell where one letter ends and the next begins.
Does it handle punctuation?
Yes — common marks like period, comma, question mark, exclamation, slash, colon, apostrophe and a few others have standard Morse sequences and are supported in both directions.
What happens to characters that have no Morse equivalent?
Characters outside the supported set (rare symbols, emoji) are skipped when encoding, since International Morse simply has no code for them.
Can I control the playback speed?
Playback uses a fixed, comfortable learning speed at standard timing ratios. It's designed for clarity when training your ear rather than for high-speed contesting.
Is the audio saved as a file?
No. The beeps are synthesised live by your browser's audio engine each time you press Play — nothing is recorded or downloaded.
Is any of this sent to a server?
No. Translation and audio generation both happen locally in your browser, so your messages stay private.
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