Free Morse Code Translator - Text to Morse & Decoder (2026)
Use this free Morse code translator to convert any text to International Morse code, or run it as a Morse code decoder to turn dots and dashes back into plain text - all instantly in your browser. This Morse code generator also plays the result as audio tones with correct ITU-R timing. Free, private, no sign-up required.
Audio playback · bidirectional · ITU-R standard · SOS lookup · 100% free
Works for ham radio operators, students, hobbyists, and anyone learning or using Morse code.
Last updated: June 5 2026
Reviewed by the QuickTooly Team
Morse Code Guide
What Is Morse Code?
Morse code is a method of encoding text characters as sequences of two signal durations - called dots (dits) and dashes (dahs). Developed in the 1830s by Samuel Morse and Alfred Vail for the electric telegraph, it became the first practical form of long-distance electrical communication and remains in use today by amateur radio operators worldwide.
The International Morse Code (ITU-R M.1677) standardises the encoding of the Latin alphabet (A–Z), digits (0–9), and common punctuation marks. Each character is a unique combination of dots and dashes; a single space separates elements within a character, three spaces separate characters, and seven spaces (or a / in text notation) separate words.
How to Use This Morse Code Converter
- Choose your direction - select "Text → Morse" to encode plain text, or "Morse → Text" to decode existing Morse code.
- Paste or type your input - for Text → Morse, type anything; for Morse → Text, separate letters with a space and words with a forward slash (
/). - Click Convert - the result appears instantly below.
- Play the audio (optional) - click "Play Audio" to hear the Morse code as beeps at ITU-R standard timing. Click "Stop" at any time to halt playback.
- Copy the output - use the Copy button to copy the result to your clipboard.
International Morse Code Table
| Char | Code | Char | Code | Char | Code | Char | Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | ----- | 1 | .---- | 2 | ..--- | 3 | ...-- |
| 4 | ....- | 5 | ..... | 6 | -.... | 7 | --... |
| 8 | ---.. | 9 | ----. | 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 | --.. |
| . | .-.-.- | , | --..-- | ? | ..--.. | ' | .----. |
| ! | -.-.-- | / | -..-. | ( | -.--. | ) | -.--.- |
| & | .-... | : | ---... | ; | -.-.-. | = | -...- |
| + | .-.-. | - | -....- | _ | ..--.- | " | .-..-. |
| $ | ...-..- | @ | .--.-. |
About the Audio Playback
The audio engine uses the browser's Web Audio API to synthesise a 700 Hz sine-wave tone - the classic frequency used by radio operators. Timing follows the ITU-R M.1677 standard at approximately 18 WPM (words per minute):
- Dit (dot): 60 ms tone
- Dah (dash): 180 ms tone (3× dit)
- Inter-element gap: 60 ms silence
- Inter-character gap: 180 ms silence
- Inter-word gap: 420 ms silence
Gain envelopes (3 ms ramp-in / ramp-out) are applied to each tone to avoid audible clicks at the start and end of each element. No audio data leaves your device - everything is generated locally.
Key Features of This Morse Code Converter
- Bidirectional conversion: Encode plain text to Morse or decode Morse back to text - switch modes with one click.
- Full ITU-R character set: Supports the complete International Morse Code standard - the Latin alphabet (A–Z, case-insensitive), digits 0–9, and 26 punctuation marks.
- Audio playback at 700 Hz: Hear your Morse code as beeps synthesised in real time via the Web Audio API, at the classic radio operator frequency, with no plugins or downloads required.
- ITU-R M.1677 standard timing (~18 WPM): Dot, dash, inter-element, inter-character, and inter-word durations all follow the international standard, with gain envelopes to eliminate audible clicks.
- Instant, 100% browser-based: No server calls, no file uploads, no rate limits. Your text never leaves your device - safe to use with sensitive content.
- Copy output to clipboard: One-click copy for the converted Morse code or decoded text.
- Built-in reference table: The full International Morse Code character table is included below the tool for quick look-up while you learn.
Practical Morse Code Examples
Here are common words, phrases, and signals in Morse code - useful as a quick reference or to test the converter:
| Text | Morse Code |
|---|---|
| SOS | ... --- ... |
| HELLO | .... . .-.. .-.. --- |
| LOVE | .-.. --- ...- . |
| 73 | --... ...-- (ham radio for "best regards") |
| CQ | -.-. --.- (general call on radio) |
| OK | --- -.- |
| I LOVE YOU | .. / .-.. --- ...- . / -.-- --- ..- |
| HELP | .... . .-.. .--. |
| MAYDAY | -- .- -.-- -.. .- -.-- (aviation distress call) |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Morse code used for today?
Morse code is still used by amateur (ham) radio operators, especially on the HF bands where its narrow bandwidth gives it an advantage over voice. It is also used in aviation as a secondary means of identifying VOR and NDB navigation beacons by their station identifiers. In accessibility contexts, single-switch users can input text via Morse code on mobile devices.
How do I decode Morse code manually?
Each letter is a unique combination of dots and dashes. Separate elements within a character with a short gap, separate characters with a longer gap, and separate words with the longest gap or a / symbol. Use the Morse table above as a reference. This tool also decodes it for you automatically.
What does SOS look like in Morse code?
SOS is ... --- ... - three dots, three dashes, three dots. It was chosen as an international distress signal in 1906 precisely because of its simplicity and symmetry, making it easy to send even under stress. SOS is transmitted as a single prosign without the inter-character gaps normally separating letters.
What separates letters and words in Morse code text notation?
In text notation, a single space separates Morse characters (letters), and a forward slash (/) or a longer gap separates words. This tool uses the / convention, which is the most widely used format in written Morse representations online.
Can I convert numbers and punctuation to Morse code?
Yes. This tool supports the full ITU-R International Morse Code character set - the Latin alphabet (A–Z, case-insensitive), digits 0–9, and common punctuation including period, comma, question mark, apostrophe, exclamation mark, slash, parentheses, ampersand, colon, semicolon, equals, plus, minus, underscore, quote, dollar, and at sign. Characters not in the standard are replaced with ?.
Is my text sent to a server?
No. All conversion and audio generation happens entirely in your browser using JavaScript and the Web Audio API. Your text is never transmitted to any server, stored in a database, or shared with any third party. You can safely use this tool with sensitive content.
How fast can Morse code be sent?
Skilled operators can send and receive Morse code at 25–35 WPM (words per minute), with some contest operators reaching 60+ WPM. Beginners typically start around 5 WPM. This tool plays audio at approximately 18 WPM - a comfortable speed for learning and recognition practice. The official ITU-R standard defines one "word" as five characters (including the inter-word gap), with a dot lasting 1/10 second at 6 WPM.
What is the difference between the NATO phonetic alphabet and Morse code?
The NATO phonetic alphabet (Alpha, Bravo, Charlie…) and Morse code serve different purposes. NATO phonetics are spoken words used to spell out letters unambiguously over voice radio - they replace letters that sound similar ("B" vs. "D"). Morse code instead represents each character as a sequence of dots and dashes transmitted as on/off signal pulses, making it suited to radio telegraphy, light signals, and situations where voice communication is impossible. Both are ITU-standardised; neither replaces the other.
Can I learn Morse code online for free?
Yes. This tool is a good starting point - type a letter, see its Morse equivalent, and click Play Audio to hear it. For structured practice, the reference table below covers the full A–Z / 0–9 character set. For deeper training, the LCWO (Learn CW Online) platform and the Koch method are widely recommended by amateur radio operators. Most national amateur radio examinations no longer require a Morse code proficiency test, but many operators still learn it for its narrow-bandwidth advantage on HF bands.
What is the Morse code for "I love you"?
"I love you" in Morse code is: .. / .-.. --- ...- . / -.-- --- ..- - two dots for I, then the Morse sequences for L, O, V, E (word 2), and Y, O, U (word 3), with spaces separating letters and / separating words. Paste it into the decoder above to verify.
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