Encoders & Decoders

Morse Code Translator

Translate text to Morse code or decode Morse back to text — output updates as you type. Switch direction with one click, then copy the result.

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The History and Mechanics of International Morse Code

Invented by Samuel Morse and Alfred Vail in the 1830s for the electrical telegraph, Morse code revolutionized long-distance telecommunications. International Morse code encodes text characters as standardised sequences of short and long signals, known respectively as dots (or dits) and dashes (or dahs).

Timing Rules & Signal Structure

The duration of a dot constitutes the fundamental unit of time measurement in Morse code:

$$\text{Duration of 1 Dash} = 3 \times \text{Duration of 1 Dot}$$

Morse Code Element	Relative Duration	Standard Character
Dot (dit)	1 unit	`.`
Dash (dah)	3 units	`-`
Inter-element gap (between dots/dashes in character)	1 unit	Space
Short gap (between letters within a word)	3 units	Single space / delimiter
Medium gap (between distinct words)	7 units	`/` or triple space

International Morse Code Reference Table

Character	Morse Code	Character	Morse Code	Digit	Morse Code
A	`.-`	N	`-.`	0	`-----`
B	`-...`	O	`---`	1	`.----`
C	`-.-.`	P	`.--.`	2	`..---`
D	`-..`	Q	`--.-`	3	`...--`
E	`.`	R	`.-.`	4	`....-`
S	`...`	T	`-`	5	`.....`
SOS	`... --- ...` (Distress signal sent without inter-character pauses)

Encoding Text to Morse Code in Code

JavaScript

const MORSE_MAP = {
  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: '--..', ' ': '/'
};

function encodeToMorse(text) {
  return text.toUpperCase().split('')
    .map(ch => MORSE_MAP[ch] || '')
    .filter(Boolean)
    .join(' ');
}

console.log(encodeToMorse("HELLO WORLD")); 
// .... . .-.. .-.. --- / .-- --- .-. .-.. -..

Audio Telegraphy & Modern Radio Operations

WPM Calculation (PARIS Standard): Transmission speed is standardized by the time required to send the word "PARIS", which contains exactly 50 dot-duration units. Sending PARIS 10 times in one minute equals 10 WPM.
Farnsworth Spacing: For beginners learning to receive Morse code, characters are sent at higher speeds while intervals between words are lengthened to train auditory pattern recognition.
Aviation & Marine Beacons: Radio navigation beacons (VOR, NDB) still broadcast their three-letter station identifiers in Morse code audio loops worldwide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the standard timing ratio between dots and dashes in Morse code?: In International Morse code, one dash equals three dots in duration. The interval between dots and dashes within a letter is one dot duration, while letter spacing is three dot durations, and word spacing is seven dot durations.
Why is the SOS distress signal transmitted without letter spacing?: SOS is transmitted as a single continuous procedural signal (prosodically concatenated) rather than three distinct letters. This ensures the emergency sequence is immediately recognized even across weak radio interference.
What characters can be converted to Morse code?: This tool supports all 26 Latin letters (A–Z), digits 0–9, and common punctuation (. , ? ! ' / ( ) & : ; = + - _ " $ @). Unsupported characters are skipped or passed through.
How is Morse code structured?: Dots (·) represent short signals and dashes (−) represent long signals. Letters are separated by spaces and words by ' / ' (slash with spaces). The standard dit duration is 1 unit; a dah is 3 units.
Is there audio playback?: This tool focuses on visual translation. For audio playback, dedicated Morse code training apps such as G4FON or LCWO are recommended.
Can I decode Morse code back to text?: Yes — paste Morse code using dots and dashes (. and -) and the tool will translate it back to plain text. Separate letters with a space and words with ' / '.

Accuracy & Advisory Notice: Morse Code Translator

This website and utility are provided for general informational, calculation, and educational purposes only. Always verify critical computation outputs prior to professional deployment or financial use. See our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy for full governance details.

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The History and Mechanics of International Morse Code

Timing Rules & Signal Structure

The duration of a dot constitutes the fundamental unit of time measurement in Morse code:

$$\text{Duration of 1 Dash} = 3 \times \text{Duration of 1 Dot}$$

Morse Code Element

Relative Duration

Standard Character

Dot (dit)

1 unit

.

Dash (dah)

3 units

-

Inter-element gap (between dots/dashes in character)

1 unit

Space

Short gap (between letters within a word)

3 units

Single space / delimiter

Medium gap (between distinct words)

7 units

/ or triple space

Character

Morse Code

Character

Morse Code

Digit

Morse Code

.-

-.

-----

-...

---

.----

-.-.

.--.

..---

-..

--.-

...--

.

.-.

....-

...

-

.....

SOS

... --- ... (Distress signal sent without inter-character pauses)

Encoding Text to Morse Code in Code

JavaScript

const MORSE_MAP = { 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: '--..', ' ': '/' }; function encodeToMorse(text) { return text.toUpperCase().split('') .map(ch => MORSE_MAP[ch] || '') .filter(Boolean) .join(' '); } console.log(encodeToMorse("HELLO WORLD")); // .... . .-.. .-.. --- / .-- --- .-. .-.. -..

Audio Telegraphy & Modern Radio Operations

WPM Calculation (PARIS Standard): Transmission speed is standardized by the time required to send the word "PARIS", which contains exactly 50 dot-duration units. Sending PARIS 10 times in one minute equals 10 WPM.

Farnsworth Spacing: For beginners learning to receive Morse code, characters are sent at higher speeds while intervals between words are lengthened to train auditory pattern recognition.

Aviation & Marine Beacons: Radio navigation beacons (VOR, NDB) still broadcast their three-letter station identifiers in Morse code audio loops worldwide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the standard timing ratio between dots and dashes in Morse code?

In International Morse code, one dash equals three dots in duration. The interval between dots and dashes within a letter is one dot duration, while letter spacing is three dot durations, and word spacing is seven dot durations.

Why is the SOS distress signal transmitted without letter spacing?

SOS is transmitted as a single continuous procedural signal (prosodically concatenated) rather than three distinct letters. This ensures the emergency sequence is immediately recognized even across weak radio interference.

What characters can be converted to Morse code?

This tool supports all 26 Latin letters (A–Z), digits 0–9, and common punctuation (. , ? ! ' / ( ) & : ; = + - _ " $ @). Unsupported characters are skipped or passed through.

How is Morse code structured?

Dots (·) represent short signals and dashes (−) represent long signals. Letters are separated by spaces and words by ' / ' (slash with spaces). The standard dit duration is 1 unit; a dah is 3 units.

Is there audio playback?

This tool focuses on visual translation. For audio playback, dedicated Morse code training apps such as G4FON or LCWO are recommended.

Can I decode Morse code back to text?

Yes — paste Morse code using dots and dashes (. and -) and the tool will translate it back to plain text. Separate letters with a space and words with ' / '.