Morse Code Converter

Reference

What is Morse code?

Morse code is a character encoding system that represents letters and numbers as sequences of short signals (dots ·) and long signals (dashes −). Developed by Samuel Morse and Alfred Vail in the 1830s for the electric telegraph, it was the first practical system for long-distance electronic communication. The International Morse Code standard (ITU-R M.1677) is still in active use today in amateur radio, aviation, and emergency signaling.

Morse code syntax and timing

Each character is a unique pattern of dots (·) and dashes (−). In transmission, a dash is 3× the duration of a dot. Letters within a word are separated by a space (3 dot-lengths gap); words are separated by a slash (/) (7 dot-lengths gap). Example: SOS = · · · / − − − / · · ·. The most common letter in English (E) has the shortest code: a single dot (·). Less frequent letters have longer codes — this optimization was intentional to minimize transmission time.

International Morse code alphabet

A ·− B −··· C −·−· D −·· E · F ··−· G −−· H ···· I ·· J ·−−− K −·− L ·−·· M −− N −· O −−− P ·−−· Q −−·− R ·−· S ··· T − U ··− V ···− W ·−− X −··− Y −·−− Z −−·· 0 −−−−− 1 ·−−−− 2 ··−−− 3 ···−− 4 ····− 5 ····· 6 −···· 7 −−··· 8 −−−·· 9 −−−−·

Where is Morse code still used?

Amateur (ham) radio — Morse code (CW mode) remains popular on shortwave bands because it can be decoded at much lower signal strengths than voice, making it effective for long-distance communication. Aviation — VOR and NDB navigation beacons still broadcast their station identifier in Morse code. Pilots learn to identify beacons by their Morse code signature. Emergency signaling — SOS (··· −−− ···) is the international distress signal, recognizable by its distinctive rhythm. It can be signaled with a flashlight, horn, or tapping. Accessibility — Morse code is used as an alternative text input method for people with limited mobility, supported by Android and iOS accessibility features. Education & puzzles — learning Morse code improves pattern recognition, and it is commonly used in escape rooms, geocaching, and puzzle hunts.

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