How Morse code works
Morse code turns each letter and number into a pattern of short signals (dots, or "dits") and long signals (dashes, or "dahs"). It was developed for the electric telegraph in the 1830s and 1840s and is still used by amateur radio operators, pilots identifying radio beacons, and as an accessibility tool.
The Morse alphabet
| Letter | Code | Letter | Code | Letter | Code |
|---|
| A | .- | J | .--- | S | ... |
| B | -... | K | -.- | T | - |
| C | -.-. | L | .-.. | U | ..- |
| D | -.. | M | -- | V | ...- |
| E | . | N | -. | W | .-- |
| F | ..-. | O | --- | X | -..- |
| G | --. | P | .--. | Y | -.-- |
| H | .... | Q | --.- | Z | --.. |
| I | .. | R | .-. | | |
Numbers use five symbols each: 1 is .----, 2 is ..---, and so on up to 0, which is -----.
Tips for learning Morse code
- Learn by sound, not by counting dots on paper. Listen with the play button.
- Start with the most common letters: E (.), T (-), A (.-), I (..), N (-.) and S (...).
- Practice a few minutes a day at a steady speed rather than long sessions.
Last reviewed October 2026.
Frequently asked questions
How do I read the Morse code output?
Each letter is a group of dots (.) and dashes (-). Letters are separated by a space and words by a slash (/). For example, "HI" is .... .. and "SOS" is ... --- ...
Can it translate Morse code back to English?
Yes. Paste Morse code using dots, dashes, spaces between letters and a slash between words. The tool detects Morse automatically and translates it to text.
What is the Morse code for SOS?
SOS is ... --- ... (three dots, three dashes, three dots). It is sent as one continuous signal and is the best-known distress signal in Morse code.
How is Morse code timed?
A dash is three times as long as a dot. The gap inside a letter is one dot long, the gap between letters is three dots, and the gap between words is seven dots. The play button follows these timings.
Which version of Morse code is this?
This tool uses International Morse Code, the standard used worldwide today, including for amateur radio. It covers letters, numbers and common punctuation.