International Morse
International Morse utility
Morse Code Translator
Convert text to Morse code or translate Morse code back to English, then listen, copy, share, or download a clean WAV file.
Morse output
Sound
dah-dah dit dit dah / di-dah dah / dah-dit dah-dah-dah dah-dah-dah dah-dit
· 1 unit— 3 unitsABC 3-unit letter gapA / B 7-unit word gap
International Morse referenceA–Z, numbers, punctuation and spoken sound
Choose a character to load it into the translator. “Di” and “dit” are short signals; “dah” is a long signal.
Morse code basics
What is Morse code?
Morse code is a character-encoding system that represents letters, numbers, and punctuation with short and long signals. Those signals can be sent as sound, light, radio pulses, electrical marks, or even taps. In written form, the short signal is a dot and the long signal is a dash.
International Morse code is not a language by itself. It is a way to encode characters, so the same signal pattern can carry words from many languages that use supported letters. Accurate timing matters as much as the symbols: signals form characters, characters form words, and longer pauses keep the message readable.
See the complete International Morse chart ↗·Dot
One timing unit of signal.
—Dash
Three timing units of signal.
ABCLetter gap
Three units of silence.
A / BWord gap
Seven units of silence.
Common phrases
Hear complete messages
Start with familiar words to hear how character and word spacing work in a complete message.
More tools
Keep the useful references close
A chart when you need certainty. Operator shorthand when you need speed. Focused practice when you want the rhythm to stick.
Chart
Interactive Morse chart
Search letters, numbers, punctuation, and prosigns. Select any row to hear its rhythm.
Open ↗OperatingAbbreviations and Q-codes
Look up CW shorthand, procedural signals, meanings, and commonly used radio expressions.
Browse ↗PracticeListening trainer
Identify characters by sound, adjust the speed, and check your accuracy during the session.
Start ↗Using the translator
How to use the Morse Code Translator
Every step below corresponds to a control in the translator above—from automatic detection to synchronized playback and WAV export.
- 01
Enter text or Morse code
Type ordinary text or paste dots and dashes. MorseDock detects the direction automatically and updates the result as you type.
- 02
Listen and adjust the signal
Press Play audio, then adjust WPM, tone frequency, or volume. Repeat replays the message, while Light flashes in time with each signal.
- 03
Use the result
Copy the translation, create a shareable link with the current settings, or download the correctly timed signal as a WAV file.
- 04
Check an unfamiliar character
Choose a letter, number, or punctuation mark in the International Morse reference to load it into the translator and hear its spoken rhythm.
Background
A code built for distance
Born on telegraph wires, refined by operators, and still readable wherever sound or light can carry a rhythm.
From telegraph marks to sound
Samuel Morse, Alfred Vail, and their collaborators developed an electric telegraph system in the 1830s and 1840s. The well-known Washington-to-Baltimore demonstration followed in 1844. Operators soon learned to recognize the rhythm by ear instead of reading marks on paper, and the code evolved into the international system used today.
Library of Congress source ↗International Morse code
The modern reference is maintained for radiocommunication use in ITU-R Recommendation M.1677. It defines character signals and operating provisions, including the relative length and spacing of dots, dashes, characters, and words.
ITU recommendation ↗Simple signals still travel
Morse remains active in amateur and amateur-satellite radio, identification signals, training, and situations where a message must work through basic sound or light. It is also widely used for demonstrations, puzzles, escape rooms, and learning how timed communication works.
Start learning by sound ↗Questions
Morse code translator FAQ
Answers to the details that most often affect translation, spacing, and playback.
How do I translate text to Morse code?
Type ordinary text into the input box. MorseDock detects text automatically and converts supported letters, numbers, and punctuation as you type. Paste dots and dashes instead to decode Morse back to text.
How should Morse letters and words be separated?
Written Morse normally uses one space between characters and a slash between words. In transmitted Morse, the gap is three timing units between characters and seven units between words.
What do di, dit, and dah mean?
“Di” is a dot heard inside a character, while “dit” is a dot at the end of a character. A dash is always spoken as “dah.” For example, R (.-.) is spoken di-dah-dit.
What speed should a beginner use?
Start around 8–12 WPM if you need clear spacing, then increase gradually as character rhythms become automatic. Listening accurately is more useful than forcing a higher number too early.
What tone frequency should I choose?
Many listeners find a tone around 500–700 Hz comfortable; MorseDock defaults to 600 Hz. Choose a frequency that is easy to distinguish without sounding harsh on your speakers or headphones.
Is SOS sent with spaces?
It is commonly written as ... --- ... for learning. As a distress prosign, SOS is sent as one continuous sequence, ...---..., without normal letter gaps.
Does MorseDock upload my message?
No. Translation and audio generation run in your browser. You can copy the result, play it, or generate a WAV file without sending the message to a server.
Private by design
Translation and audio generation happen entirely in your browser. Nothing you type is uploaded.
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