Morse Code Translator
Convert between text and Morse code with realistic audio playback. Perfect for learning, practicing, or encoding messages.
💡 Learning: Start slow (10 WPM) with visual feedback
🎯 Practice: Use repeat mode to recognize patterns
⚡ Pro Tip: Learn by sound, not counting symbols
📻 Standard: ITU-R M.1677-1 International Morse
🎓 Practice Mode: Click the Practice Mode button to test your skills!
About Morse Code
What is Morse Code?
Morse code is a method of encoding text characters using sequences of dots (short signals) and dashes (long signals). Developed in the 1830s by Samuel Morse and Alfred Vail for use with the telegraph, it became the primary means of long-distance communication for over a century.
International Morse Code
This tool implements International Morse Code (also known as Continental Morse), standardized by the ITU-R M.1677-1 specification. It differs from the original American Morse code and is used worldwide for amateur radio, aviation, and maritime communications.
Timing and Speed
Morse code timing follows a precise mathematical relationship:
- Dot: 1 unit of time (base duration)
- Dash: 3 units (three times a dot)
- Gap between symbols: 1 unit
- Gap between letters: 3 units
- Gap between words: 7 units
Speed is measured in WPM (words per minute), based on the word “PARIS” as a standard 50-unit word. A speed of 20 WPM means 20 repetitions of “PARIS” per minute, with each dot lasting 60ms.
Farnsworth Timing
Farnsworth timing is a learning technique where characters are sent at a faster speed, but extra spacing is added between characters and words. This helps learners recognize characters at their natural rhythm while allowing more time to process between characters.
Common Uses Today
- Amateur Radio: Ham radio operators use CW (Continuous Wave) Morse for long-distance communication
- Aviation: Navigation beacons transmit their identifiers in Morse code
- Maritime: Ships use Morse for emergency signaling (SOS)
- Assistive Technology: People with severe disabilities can communicate using Morse code input
- Military: Special operations use light-based Morse signaling
Famous Morse Code Signals
- SOS: ... --- ... (Universal distress signal)
- V: ...- (Victory signal, famous in WWII - also Beethoven's 5th Symphony)
- 73: Best regards (ham radio greeting)
- 88: Love and kisses (ham radio sign-off)
Learning Tips
- Start with common letters: E, T, A, I, N, S
- Use our audio playback to train your ear
- Learn characters as sounds, not as dot-dash sequences
- Practice with Farnsworth timing at higher character speeds (20+ WPM)
- Gradually reduce spacing as you improve
- Use mnemonics: A (di-dah) = “a-BOUT”, B (dah-di-di-dit) = “BOIS-ter-ous-ly”
Features of This Tool
- Bidirectional conversion (text ↔ Morse)
- Realistic audio playback using Web Audio API
- Adjustable pitch (300-1000 Hz)
- Variable speed (5-40 WPM)
- Farnsworth timing support
- Visual light indicator
- Repeat mode for practice
- Comprehensive character support (A-Z, 0-9, punctuation)
- Character reference table