Morse Code Converter — Encode & Decode Morse Online
Encode text to Morse code and decode Morse to text. Supports letters, numbers, and punctuation. Perfect for learning Morse code. Browser-based.
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.
- 6Learn Morse code by encoding your own name — type 'JOHN' to see '·--- --- ···· -·' and practice recognizing the pattern.
- 7Decode a Morse code message from amateur radio — paste the dots and dashes sequence to get the English text translation.
- 8Practice sending SOS in Morse code — encode 'SOS' to see '... --- ...' and memorize this life-saving pattern.
- 9Encode numbers like '123' to see their 5-symbol Morse patterns '·---- ··--- ···--' — useful for learning numeric Morse.
- 10Test your Morse code reading speed by encoding short phrases, covering the output, and trying to decode them manually.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Morse code?
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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?
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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?
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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?
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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?
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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?
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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.
How can I learn Morse code efficiently?
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Start with the most common letters: E (.), T (-), A (.-), N (-.), I (..), S (...), O (---). Use the tool to encode your name and common words. Practice with the Farnsworth method — learn at a slower speed with proper spacing, then gradually increase speed.
What is the timing rule in Morse code?
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The basic timing unit is one dot duration. A dash = 3 dots. Space between dots/dashes within a letter = 1 dot. Space between letters = 3 dots. Space between words = 7 dots. This standard timing is what makes Morse code universally decodable at any speed.
Can I send Morse code with a flashlight or mirror?
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Yes! Morse code can be transmitted via any binary signal: light (flashlight blinks), sound (whistle or buzzer), vibration, radio waves, flags, or touch. This versatility is why it remained valuable for so long. Short flash = dot, long flash = dash.
Is Morse code used in aviation today?
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Yes. Aviation navigational beacons (VOR, NDB) transmit Morse code identifiers. For example, LAX airport transmits '.- .- -..-' in Morse on its navigation frequency. Pilots must identify beacons by their Morse code to confirm they're tuned to the correct station.
How do I type characters not supported by Morse code?
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Morse code only supports A-Z, 0-9, and basic punctuation. Unsupported characters like Chinese, emoji, or lowercase/uppercase distinctions are skipped during encoding. The tool will include them in the output with a note that they could not be converted.
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