Text to Morse Code Converter
Convert text to Morse code and back using dots and dashes. Learn the historic communication method used by telegraphs and radio operators.
Text ↔ Morse Code Converter
Convert text to International Morse Code using dots (·) and dashes (–). Words are separated by forward slashes (/).
Example: "HELLO" → .... . .-.. .-.. ---
Understanding Morse Code
History of Morse Code
Developed by Samuel Morse and Alfred Vail in the 1830s for use with the electric telegraph. It revolutionized long-distance communication and remained vital for maritime, aviation, and emergency services.
- • Invented in 1838 by Samuel Morse
- • Used extensively in telegraph networks
- • Still used in amateur radio today
- • International standard since 1865
Modern Applications
- • Amateur (ham) radio communications
- • Emergency and survival situations
- • Aviation navigation beacons
- • Maritime distress signals
- • Assistive technology for disabilities
- • Educational and hobby purposes
- • Military and naval communications
- • Puzzle and escape room challenges
Morse Code Alphabet Reference
Numbers and Punctuation
Common Punctuation
Famous Morse Code Signals
SOS (Emergency Signal):
··· ––– ···
CQ (Calling Any Station):
–·–· ––·–
73 (Best Wishes):
–––·· ···––
📡 Learning Tips
- • Start with common letters like E (·) and T (–)
- • Practice recognizing patterns rather than counting dots and dashes
- • Use mnemonics: A (·–) = "a-bout", B (–···) = "boot-ee-ee-ee"
- • Learn at a comfortable speed, then gradually increase
- • Practice both sending and receiving
- • Focus on rhythm and timing, not just the patterns
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Morse code and how does it work?
Morse code is a method of encoding text characters using sequences of dots (·) and dashes (–). Developed by Samuel Morse in the 1830s, it was originally used for telegraph communications. Each letter, number, and punctuation mark has a unique pattern of short and long signals.
What's the difference between dots and dashes in timing?
In traditional Morse code transmission, a dot is a short signal (one unit of time), while a dash is a long signal (three units of time). There's a gap of one unit between dots and dashes within a character, three units between characters, and seven units between words.
Can I learn Morse code for practical use?
Yes! Morse code is still used by amateur radio operators, pilots, and in emergency situations. It's also valuable for people with disabilities as an alternative communication method. Many find it fun to learn as a hobby or mental exercise.
What characters are supported in Morse code?
Standard international Morse code supports the English alphabet (A-Z), numbers (0-9), and common punctuation marks like periods, commas, question marks, and exclamation points. Our tool includes the complete international standard character set.
How do I read Morse code back to text?
When converting Morse code back to text, characters should be separated by spaces and words by larger gaps (we use / or multiple spaces). For example: '.... . .-.. .-.. ---' decodes to 'HELLO'.
Is Morse code the same worldwide?
The International Morse Code (ITU standard) is used globally and is what our tool implements. However, there were historical variations like American Morse code that had different patterns for some characters.
Can Morse code handle special characters and accents?
Standard Morse code is designed for basic Latin characters without accents. Extended character sets exist for some accented characters, but they're not universally standardized. Our tool focuses on the standard international character set.
What are some famous Morse code signals?
SOS (··· ––– ···) is the most famous distress signal. Other well-known signals include CQ (–·–· ––·–) meaning 'calling any station' and 73 (–––·· ···––) meaning 'best wishes' in amateur radio.