Morse Code Translator — Encode & Decode Text to Morse Code Online
Free morse code translator: convert text to morse code and decode morse to text instantly, with audio playback and speed controls. Runs in your browser.
About this tool
Free online morse code translator that works in both directions: type text and get text to morse code encoding, or paste dots and dashes and get morse code to text decoding — instantly, as you type. Hit Play Signal to hear the code as real audio, with speed (WPM), tone pitch and volume controls. Everything runs locally in your browser: no sign-up, no upload, works offline.
Most morse code tools make you pick a direction before you start. Here the two directions are one click apart — switch the segment control, or press the ⇄ swap button between the panes to round-trip a message in place. Untranslatable characters (Chinese, emoji) are marked # so you can see exactly what dropped.
How morse code timing works
Morse code has exactly two symbols, and everything else is timing:
| Element | Symbol | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Dot (dit) | . | 1 unit |
| Dash (dah) | - | 3 units |
| Gap between letters | space | 3 units (written as 1 space) |
| Gap between words | / | 7 units (written as /) |
One unit equals 1.2 seconds divided by speed in WPM — at 15 WPM a dot lasts 80 ms. The tool accepts ., -, ·, − and _ interchangeably when decoding, and normalizes them automatically.
The complete morse code chart
International morse code covers 26 letters, 10 digits and a handful of punctuation marks. The full chart is embedded below the translator — every letter is a unique sequence of 1 to 5 dots and dashes, which is what makes the code decodable by ear.
Frequent patterns are worth memorizing: E is a single dot (the most common letter gets the shortest signal), T a single dash, and digits 1–5 count dots while 6–0 count dashes.
What is SOS in morse code?
... --- ... — three dots, three dashes, three dots. It is sent as a single continuous sequence, not three separate letters. Chosen in 1906 for its unmistakable rhythm, it remains the universal distress call, and this tool will happily play it for you: type SOS and press play.
How fast should I learn? (WPM)
WPM (words per minute) is the standard speed unit — "PARIS" is the reference word. Beginners copy at 5–10 WPM, ham radio licenses typically require 5–20 WPM, and skilled operators exceed 30 WPM. Start slow with the speed slider, then ramp up as the letter patterns become reflexes.
Does morse code work for Chinese?
Not directly. International morse code covers Latin letters, digits and punctuation only. Chinese historically used the Chinese telegraph code: each character maps to a 4-digit number, and those digits are then sent in morse. You can approximate it by converting Chinese to pinyin first, then encoding the letters.
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Chart tip: catch the dashes first for rhythm, then count the dots — one dash lasts about three dots.
FAQ
How do I tell dots from dashes?
A dot (·) is the short signal, a dash (−) the long one — one dash lasts about three dots. Within a character the dots and dashes run together; between characters there is a short gap, and a longer one between words.
Why is SOS the distress signal?
The morse code for SOS is ··· −−− ···. Its unmistakable rhythm made it easy to send and recognize, so it was adopted internationally in 1906 and remains the universal distress call.
Does morse code support Chinese?
Not directly. International morse code covers Latin letters, digits and punctuation. Chinese historically used the Chinese telegraph code — each character maps to a 4-digit number, sent as morse-coded digits.
What does WPM mean?
WPM (words per minute) is the standard speed unit. Beginners copy at 5–10 WPM, ham radio licenses typically require 5–20 WPM, and skilled operators exceed 30 WPM.
Does the tool upload my text?
No. All conversion and audio generation happen in your browser — it works offline.
Why do # marks appear in the result?
A # marks a character with no international morse code equivalent (Chinese, emoji). Remove or replace those characters to get a complete result.