MORSE CODE TRANSLATOR
Convert text to morse code and morse code to text — instantly. Play audio, tap input, decode live signals. 100% private.
TAP INPUT MODE
Tap or hold to input morse code manually. Short tap = dot, long hold = dash.
AUDIO DECODER
Listen to morse code through your microphone and decode it in real-time.
What Is a Morse Code Translator?
A morse code translator is a tool that converts plain text into morse code — dots and dashes — and decodes morse back into readable text. This one updates on every keystroke with no submit button. Everything runs in your browser; your text never hits a server.
- Type or Paste — The default. This english to morse code translator converts as you type in real time. Tap the swap button to go the other direction — morse to text.
- Tap Input — Quick tap for dot, hold past 200ms for dash. Letters auto-decode after 800ms of silence. Works with mouse, touchscreen, or spacebar.
- Audio Decoder — Point your microphone at a morse signal. The decoder translates tones into text live on screen.
Play translations as audio from 5 to 50 WPM, download WAV files at 44.1 kHz, or share a link that auto-translates when opened. Screen flash and vibration modes handle silent practice.
Morse code goes back to the 1830s telegraph and never left. Ham operators prefer CW over voice for weak-signal work — morse cuts through noise that would bury a voice transmission. Aviation beacons and maritime frequencies still rely on it. And people with severe mobility limitations use single-switch devices to communicate: one input, two symbols, full alphabet. Explore the full alphabet chart or start learning.
What this translator handles
- 53 characters — all 26 letters, 10 digits, 16 punctuation marks, plus @ and $
- International Morse Code (ITU standard) and American Morse Code
- Audio playback with adjustable speed (5–50 WPM), frequency (300–1200 Hz), and 4 waveforms
- WAV audio export (44.1kHz, 16-bit PCM) and plain text download
- 7 visual themes — 5 dark, 2 light
- Embeddable on any website with a single code snippet
What it doesn't do
- Non-Latin scripts — no Cyrillic, Arabic, Japanese, or Chinese characters
- Audio file upload decoding (live microphone works — file upload is coming)
- MP3 or image export (WAV and plain text only)
How to Translate Morse Code
Morse code translator offers three translation methods: Text translation mode (text ↔ morse code), Tap mode, or Audio decode mode. Every method delivers instant results with playback, visual flash, vibration, copy, download, and sharing options.
Text to Morse Code (Translate Mode)
Type English text or paste it into the text input box. All the letters, numbers, punctuation, and spaces all converted instantly to morse code. The translator follows international standards: letters become dot-dash combinations
(A = ·—, S = ···), numbers use their five-element patterns
(1 = ·————, 5 = ·····), and word spaces appear as forward slashes
(/).
Real-time conversion shows your Morse output as you type. You can also use the following actions to make it more interactive:
- Play — converts your pattern into audio beeps with adjustable frequency and transmission speed
- Flash — turns your screen into a visual signal lamp
- Vibrate — creates haptic patterns on mobile devices for tactile learning
- Copy — moves the Morse code to your clipboard for messaging or documentation
- Download as WAV — generates an audio file for ringtones, projects, or offline practice
- Share — sends the translation directly to messaging apps or email
The swap button (⇄) between text input box and morse input box reverses the translation direction.
Morse Code to Text (Translate Mode)
This mode is swtiched on by the swap button (⇄) between text input box and morse input box. Enter Morse code using period (.) for dot and hyphen (-) for dash.
Morsecodeapp's translator follows ITU spacing standards: single space between letters, three spaces (or
/) between words. Type ... --- ... to get "SOS" instantly.
Morsecodeapp's translator handles common input errors automatically. Forward slashes become word breaks, multiple spaces compress to proper letter separation, and stray characters from copy-paste operations get filtered out. This error correction helps when you're working with morse code copied from websites, pdfs, or other sources like vintage telegraph logs.
You get the same playback and export settings here. Use the flash function and playback controls to make it more interesting. You can also download your decoded message as a text file. The swap button (⇄) sends your decoded text back to the input box for re-encoding, which helps when testing translation accuracy in both directions.
Tap Input Mode (Interactive Morse Keyer)
Switch to the Tap Input tab to write morse code manually. The tap pad accepts three input methods: mouse click, touchscreen tap, or the spacebar on your keyboard.
Timing determines the signal. A short tap under 200ms registers as a dot. Hold past 200ms and it becomes a dash. Release and wait. After 800ms of silence the current letter auto-decodes and the decoded character appears on screen. After 2,000ms of silence a word space is inserted automatically. You can also tap the Space button manually to force a word break.
Visual feedback tracks your progress. Each tap displays a dot or dash indicator on screen. Your current
pattern builds in real-time (··· shows three dots before auto-decoding to S). The decoded
text accumulates in the output area below the tap pad.
Tap input is built for hands-on learning. Instead of reading about morse code timing, you feel it. The 200ms threshold becomes muscle memory after a few practice sessions. It's also a practical option if you already know morse and want to key a message without switching to a text keyboard. Radio operators use this mode to compose messages with the same rhythm they'd use on a straight key or paddle.
Mobile devices provide haptic feedback with each tap. Your decoded message accumulates in the output box with full access to playback and export features. Convert your tapped message into audio, flash it visually, or save it as a WAV file. The same copy, share, and download options from the other modes work identically here.
Audio Decode Mode (Live Listening)
Activate the microphone icon to decode Morse beeps through your device's mic. The tool analyzes audio frequency in real-time. Each beep registers as a dot or dash based on its duration. Silence gaps between beeps mark letter and word boundaries.
Optimal conditions
- Clean, single-frequency tones (pure beeps rather than voice or music)
- Transmission speeds between 10-25 WPM (standard conversational range)
- Quiet rooms without background noise or echo
- Audio from speakers, radios, or practice apps positioned near your microphone
Known limitations
- The decoder cannot separate overlapping frequencies from multiple simultaneous transmissions
- It will not interpret someone speaking "dit-dah" patterns
- The system requires actual tone beeps with distinct on/off transitions
- Static-heavy shortwave signals or extremely fast CW transmissions (30+ WPM) often produce incomplete or incorrect results
Primary users: Amateur radio operators decoding shortwave when their station lacks digital mode capabilities. Students verifying their own Morse practice recordings. Accessibility users who receive Morse as audio but need text output for comprehension.
Decoded text streams live into the output box with standard export options available. Copy mid-session, download a complete transcript, or play it back for accuracy verification. Many operators use this alongside Text-to-Morse mode: decode an incoming transmission, edit if necessary, then re-encode and send a reply.
How Morse Code Encoding Works
Each character in morse code is built from two signals: a dot (short, 1 time unit) and a dash (long, 3 time units). The gaps between elements follow strict timing rules:
| Element | Duration | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Dot | 1 unit | · |
| Dash | 3 units | — |
| Gap within letter | 1 unit | Between · and — in "A" |
| Gap between letters | 3 units | Between "A" and "B" |
| Gap between words | 7 units | Between "HELLO" and "WORLD" |
Speed is measured in Words Per Minute (WPM) using the PARIS standard — the word "PARIS" contains exactly 50 time units, so at 20 WPM each dot lasts 60 milliseconds. This translator uses International Morse Code (ITU-R M.1677) by default, with American Morse Code available in Settings for historical study.
Getting the Most Out of Your Translator
- Set WPM to 5 when learning, then increase to 15–20 as individual letters become familiar. Open Settings from the gear icon and drag the speed slider.
- Turn on Farnsworth timing in Settings for the best learning progression. Characters play at full speed, but extra silence between letters gives you time to process each one.
- Switch the waveform to Square and set frequency to 700 Hz for an authentic CW radio tone. Both controls are under Audio in Settings.
- Download WAV files and use them as custom notification sounds on your phone. Tap the WAV button in the export bar below the translator.
- Share translation URLs in group chats — the recipient hears the audio without installing anything. Tap Share in the export bar to generate the link.
- Toggle Flash mode in the playback controls and darken the room for a visual morse experience. Combine it with Sound off for silent signaling practice.
- Try the Hide Text challenge in Settings — it blurs the text input so you can only read the morse output. Good for testing whether you can decode by ear alone.
When to Use This Morse Code Translator
Emergency Preparedness
Practice SOS (· · · — — — · · ·) until the rhythm sticks. Play the audio, watch the screen flash, download the beep file. When a real emergency kills your phone signal or drains your battery, you need the pattern already in muscle memory.
Ham Radio CW Practice
Type out contest exchanges or QSO messages, set playback to 20 WPM, and train your ear before going on-air. The Tap Input mode works like a straight key for sending practice, and Audio Decode lets you record and verify your own keying.
School Projects and STEM Learning
Need morse for a science fair demo or scout badge? Type your message, download the WAV file for your presentation, or copy the dots and dashes straight into your report. Teachers can open a shared link to check your work without installing anything.
Jewelry and Tattoo Design
You can use it to translate names, coordinates, or meaningful phrases into exact dot-dash sequences for bracelets, rings, or permanent ink. Play the pattern back as audio to catch any mistakes before you hand it to the jeweler or tattoo artist.
Puzzle Solving and Escape Rooms
Found morse in a geocache log or heard beeps in an escape room? Paste the pattern or hold your phone up to the speaker. The decoder handles the rest. Works for ARG puzzles, mystery boxes, and scavenger hunts with coded clues.
Accessible Input Method
Tap Input works as a single-switch morse keyer. One button, two timing windows (short and long), full alphabet access. Each letter decodes live with haptic and audio feedback on mobile devices. No keyboard needed.
Understanding Your Settings
Tap the gear icon in the top-right corner to open the settings panel. Here's what each option controls and when to change it.
- Speed (WPM)
-
Controls how fast dots and dashes are played. Range: 5–40 WPM on the slider, up to 50 WPM with the +/− buttons. The word "PARIS" (50 time units) defines one word — so 20 WPM = 60ms per dot. Use 5 WPM for learning, 15–20 for intermediate practice, 25+ for contest-speed CW.
- Frequency (Hz)
-
Sets the pitch of the audio tone. Range: 300–1200 Hz. The default 600 Hz matches a typical radio sidetone. Go lower (300–400 Hz) for a deep rumble, higher (800–1000 Hz) for a sharp beep. Most operators settle around 550–700 Hz.
- Waveform
-
Changes the character of the audio tone. Sine is smooth and clean — the default. Square is sharp and buzzy, closest to an authentic telegraph or CW radio sound. Sawtooth is bright and edgy. Triangle is soft and mellow, easy on the ears for long listening.
- Morse Standard
-
International Morse Code (ITU-R M.1677) is the worldwide standard — used in amateur radio, aviation, maritime, and everywhere today. American Morse Code is the original 1840s telegraph system with different letter patterns and intra-character spacing. Switch to American only for historical study or telegraph-era research.
- Farnsworth Timing
-
When on, each character plays at the full set WPM speed, but extra silence is added between letters and words. This trains your ear to recognize characters at real speed while giving your brain time to process. Start with Farnsworth on at 15–20 WPM, then turn it off once characters are automatic.
- Display Characters
-
Change the dot and dash characters in the morse output to anything you want. Default:
·(middle dot) and—(em dash). You can also customize the letter separator (default: space) and word separator (default:/with spaces).
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you translate morse code?
Type or paste text in the translator's input panel — morse code appears instantly as you type, no button needed. To go the other direction, tap the ⇄ swap button and enter dots (.) and dashes (-) with spaces between letters and slashes between words. The translator also accepts tap input and live audio decoding.
What is SOS in morse code?
SOS (Save Our Souls, an emergency distress signal) when written in morse code is three dots, three dashes, three dots: · · · — — — · · ·. It's transmitted as a single prosign with no letter gaps. SOS was adopted in 1906 as the international maritime distress signal — chosen because its pattern is unmistakable even in poor conditions, not because it stands for "Save Our Souls."
Is morse code still used today?
Yes. Amateur (ham) radio operators transmit in morse daily on CW bands worldwide. Aviation navigation beacons still identify themselves in morse. Military forces maintain morse capability as a backup. And morse code has found new use in accessibility technology — as an input method for people with limited mobility using single-switch devices.
How do you read morse code?
Each character is a unique pattern of dots (short) and dashes (long). Learn the most common letters first — E (·), T (—), A (· —), I (· ·), N (— ·). Listen for the rhythm: short-long patterns, with silence separating letters and longer silence separating words. The Audio Decoder tab in the translator can decode morse signals from your microphone in real time.
How do you write I love you in morse code?
"I LOVE YOU" in morse code is: · · · — · · — — — · · · — · — · — — — — — · · —. Each letter is separated by a space, each word by a slash. Type "I love you" in the translator to see and hear it — or download the audio as a WAV file.
Can you translate morse code to English?
Yes. Tap the ⇄ swap button to switch to Morse→Text mode. Enter dots, dashes, spaces, and slashes — the translator decodes them to English in real time. You can also use Tap Input to tap the morse rhythm manually, or the Audio Decoder to decode morse tones from a microphone.
What is the difference between a dot and a dash?
A dot is a short signal lasting 1 time unit. A dash is a long signal lasting 3 time units — exactly three times the length of a dot. Within a letter, signals are separated by 1 unit of silence. Between letters: 3 units. Between words: 7 units. At 20 WPM, one dot lasts 60 milliseconds.
What is the difference between International and American Morse Code?
International Morse Code (ITU) is the worldwide standard used today. American Morse Code is the original 1840s telegraph system — some letters have different patterns, and it uses intra-character spaces (gaps within a single letter's code). This translator supports both, selectable in Settings. Use International unless you're studying telegraph history.
How is morse code speed measured?
Speed is measured in Words Per Minute (WPM) using the PARIS standard. The word "PARIS" contains exactly 50 time units (dots, dashes, and spaces), so at 20 WPM each time unit is 60 milliseconds. Beginners operate at 5–10 WPM, intermediates at 15–20, and experienced operators reach 30 WPM or faster.
Is my data private?
All translation happens in your browser. Your text never leaves your device — there is no server-side processing, no POST request, no logging. Settings are saved to your browser's local storage. The translator works offline once the page has loaded.
Can I download morse code as audio?
Yes. Tap the WAV button in the export bar below the translator. It generates a 44.1kHz, 16-bit PCM WAV file using the exact speed, frequency, and waveform settings you've selected — what you hear in the browser is what the file contains.
Can I use this translator offline?
Yes. Once the page has loaded, all translation, audio playback, and export functions work without an internet connection. Everything runs in JavaScript in your browser — no server calls needed after the initial page load.
What characters does this translator support?
53 characters total: all 26 English letters (A–Z), 10 digits (0–9), 16 punctuation marks (period, comma, question mark, exclamation, slash, parentheses, ampersand, colon, semicolon, equals, plus, hyphen, underscore, apostrophe, at sign) plus the dollar sign. Prosigns like SOS, AR, and SK are also supported.
Can morse code be sent with light or vibration?
Yes. Toggle Flash in the playback controls to send morse as screen-wide light pulses — each dot and dash triggers a flash. Toggle Vibrate on mobile to feel the morse rhythm through your device. Both can be combined with audio, or used on their own for silent signaling.
Is morse code hard to learn?
The alphabet takes most people a few days to memorize, a few weeks to read at 10 WPM, and several months to reach 20+ WPM fluency. Start with audio — learning by sound (not visual charts) is how experienced operators built speed. Set the translator to 5 WPM with Farnsworth timing on, and increase speed as letters become automatic.