What is Morse code and how does it work?

Morse code is a method of encoding text characters as sequences of dots (•) and dashes (─). Each character has a unique pattern: dots are short signals (1 unit), dashes are long signals (3 units), with spaces between elements (1 unit), characters (3 units), and words (7 units). It was invented by Samuel Morse in the 1830s for telegraph communication.

What does WPM mean in Morse code?

WPM stands for Words Per Minute and measures transmission speed in Morse code. It's calculated using the word 'PARIS' as the standard (50 dot durations). The dot duration formula is 1200ms ÷ WPM. For example, at 20 WPM, each dot lasts 60ms. Beginners typically start at 5-10 WPM, while professional operators work at 25-40 WPM.

What is the difference between slash and pipe separators?

Both slash (/) and pipe (|) separators indicate word boundaries in written Morse code and represent the same 7-unit pause between words. Slash is the most commonly used standard format, while pipe is an alternative used in some documentation. They're functionally identical - it's just a visual preference.

What is SOS in Morse code?

SOS is the international distress signal in Morse code, transmitted as •••───••• (three dots, three dashes, three dots) without spaces between letters. It was chosen because it's distinctive and easy to recognize, not because it stands for 'Save Our Souls' or 'Save Our Ship' - those are backronyms. SOS became the standard maritime distress signal in 1908.

What are prosigns in Morse code?

Prosigns (procedural signals) are special Morse code sequences that represent common phrases or commands, transmitted as single characters without internal spacing. Examples include: START (─•─•─) for beginning transmission, END (•─•─••) for end of message, ERROR (••••••••) to indicate mistake, and WAIT (•─•••) to request pause. They improve communication efficiency.

Is my data safe when using this Morse code converter?

Yes! All Morse code conversion happens client-side in your browser. Your input text never leaves your device or gets sent to any server. The conversions are computed locally, ensuring complete privacy and security. The tool even works offline once loaded, making it perfect for learning and practice without any privacy concerns.

Morse Code Converter
Encode & Decode

Convert text to Morse code and Morse code to text instantly with flexible separator options. Perfect for learning communication systems, amateur radio practice, and understanding signal encoding with secure client-side processing.

Operation Mode

Text to Morse

Convert text to Morse code

Morse to Text

Convert Morse code to text

Encoding Options

Word Separator

Slash

Standard format: / between words

Pipe

Alternative: | between words

Speed (WPM)20 WPM

Slow (5 WPM)Standard (20 WPM)Fast (60 WPM)

Enter text to convert:

Morse Code
Communication

From amateur radio to emergency signaling, our Morse code converter bridges communication gaps. Master dots and dashes with precision timing and comprehensive analysis.

Learn for ham radio certification or explore historical communication methods. Encode and decode with confidence using our Morse toolkit with detailed timing breakdowns and reference guides.

How Morse Code Conversion Works

Simple Steps:

1Select operation mode: Text to Morse (encode) or Morse to Text (decode)
2Choose word separator: slash (/) or pipe (|) for encoded output
3Adjust transmission speed (WPM) for accurate timing calculations
4Enter or import your text/Morse code for instant conversion
5View detailed character breakdown with timing analysis

Pro Tips:

Use the Reference button to quickly look up Morse codes for specific characters
Adjust WPM speed to see realistic timing calculations for transmission
Character breakdown shows detailed timing for learning proper rhythm
Both slash (/) and pipe (|) separators are recognized during decoding
Export your conversions as text files for practice or documentation

Common Use Cases

Amateur Radio Operations

Essential for ham radio operators worldwide

Example:

CQ CQ CQ DE W1ABC W1ABC K

Emergency Signaling

SOS and other distress signals for survival situations

Example:

...---... (SOS - International distress signal)

Learning & Education

Practice Morse code for tests or personal development

Example:

Convert text to practice transmission timing

Maritime & Aviation

Backup communication method for critical operations

Example:

MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY

Accessibility Communication

Alternative communication for visual or hearing impairments

Example:

Tactile or visual Morse signaling

Military & Intelligence

Historical and modern military communications

Example:

Covert signaling and secure messaging

Frequently Asked Questions

📡 Advanced Morse Code & Technical Details

1 Understanding Morse Code Components

Morse code consists of three fundamental elements that combine to create a complete communication system:

● Dot (Dit)

Duration: 1 unit

Sound: Short tone

Symbol: • or .

The fundamental unit of time in Morse code. All other timing is relative to the dot duration.

─ Dash (Dah)

Duration: 3 units

Sound: Long tone

Symbol: ─ or -

Three times the length of a dot. Creates the longer sound element in Morse code characters.

⎵ Spaces

Intra-char: 1 unit

Between chars: 3 units

Between words: 7 units

Silence between elements, characters, and words is crucial for proper decoding.

2 Timing Calculations & Speed (WPM)

Words Per Minute (WPM) determines the transmission speed. Our tool uses the PARIS standard method:

WPM Calculation Method

Standard Word: "PARIS" (50 dot durations)

Dot Duration: 1200ms ÷ WPM

Example (20 WPM): 1200ms ÷ 20 = 60ms per dot

The PARIS method is the international standard for measuring Morse code speed.

Common Speed Ranges

5-10 WPM: Beginner learning speed

13-20 WPM: Standard amateur radio speed

25-40 WPM: Professional operator speed

Higher speeds require extensive practice and familiarity with common patterns.

Timing Breakdown Example (20 WPM)

• Dot Duration: 60ms (1 unit)

• Dash Duration: 180ms (3 units)

• Space between dots/dashes: 60ms (1 unit)

• Space between characters: 180ms (3 units)

• Space between words: 420ms (7 units)

3 Character Encoding & Special Symbols

📝 Standard Characters

Letters (A-Z): Most common, shortest codes for frequent letters (E=•, T=─)

Numbers (0-9): Always 5 elements (0=─────, 5=•••••)

Punctuation: Longer sequences (period = •─•─•─, comma = ──••──)

⚡ Prosigns (Procedural Signals)

SOS (•••───•••): International distress signal

START (─•─•─): Beginning of transmission

END (•─•─••): End of message

Frequency-Based Design

Letter E (most common):•

Letter T (second most common):─

Efficient encoding:Shorter for frequent letters

4 Word Separator Options & Formatting

/ Slash Separator

Format: Spaces with forward slashes ( / )

Standard: Most commonly used format

Example: .... . .-.. .-.. --- / .-- --- .-. .-.. -..

The slash represents the longer pause between words (7 units).

| Pipe Separator

Format: Spaces with vertical bars ( | )

Alternative: Used in some documentation

Example: .... . .-.. .-.. --- | .-- --- .-. .-.. -..

Functionally identical to slash, just a different visual representation.

5 Learning Tips & Best Practices

✅ Learning Recommendations

•
Start slow: Begin at 5-10 WPM and gradually increase speed as you master characters.
•
Learn by sound: Focus on the rhythm (dits and dahs) rather than counting dots and dashes.
•
Common letters first: Master E, T, I, A, N, M before moving to less frequent letters.
•
Practice prosigns: Learn SOS, START, END for emergency and procedural communications.

💡 Practical Applications

•
Amateur radio: Essential skill for ham radio operators worldwide.
•
Emergency signaling: SOS (•••───•••) is universally recognized distress signal.
•
Aviation/Maritime: Still used as backup communication method.
•
Accessibility: Can be adapted for visual or tactile communication.

Quick Reference

• E (•) and T (─) are the simplest letters
• Numbers always have 5 elements
• Use prosigns for procedural signals
• Standard speed is 20 WPM for exams

Privacy & Security

• All processing happens in your browser
• No data sent to servers
• Perfect for learning and practice
• Works completely offline once loaded

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Morse Code ConverterEncode & Decode

Operation Mode

Text to Morse

Morse to Text

Encoding Options

Word Separator

Slash

Pipe

Speed (WPM)20 WPM

Enter text to convert:

Morse Code Communication

How Morse Code Conversion Works

Simple Steps:

Pro Tips:

Common Use Cases

Amateur Radio Operations

Emergency Signaling

Learning & Education

Maritime & Aviation

Accessibility Communication

Military & Intelligence

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

📡 Advanced Morse Code & Technical Details

1 Understanding Morse Code Components

● Dot (Dit)

─ Dash (Dah)

⎵ Spaces

2 Timing Calculations & Speed (WPM)

WPM Calculation Method

Common Speed Ranges

Timing Breakdown Example (20 WPM)

3 Character Encoding & Special Symbols

📝 Standard Characters

⚡ Prosigns (Procedural Signals)

Frequency-Based Design

4 Word Separator Options & Formatting

/ Slash Separator

| Pipe Separator

5 Learning Tips & Best Practices

✅ Learning Recommendations

💡 Practical Applications

Quick Reference

Privacy & Security

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Morse Code Converter
Encode & Decode

Morse Code
Communication

Frequently Asked Questions