Morse Code Translator

Type a message to turn it into Morse code, or paste dots and dashes to decode them back into plain English. It's a simple, easy translator that runs instantly in your browser. Nothing to install, no sign-up, and it's completely free.

How to use this Morse code translator

Type or paste English text into the left panel and the Morse code appears on the right the moment you type. To go the other way, paste Morse code using dots (.) and dashes (-) into the right panel and the English translation appears on the left. Separate letters with a single space and words with a slash (/) or a longer gap, and the translator will read them correctly.

Once you have your result you can copy it with one click, play it as audio to hear the classic dit-dah rhythm, or flash it as light using your screen. Every translation also gets a shareable link, so you can send a secret message and the recipient sees it decoded when they open it.

What the dots and dashes mean

Morse code represents each letter and number as a unique sequence of short signals (dots, or dits) and long signals (dashes, or dahs). The letter E is a single dot (.), T is a single dash (-), and SOS, the international distress signal, is ... --- .... A short pause separates letters and a longer pause separates words. Because every character has its own pattern, any message can be sent as sound, light, or text. The version used worldwide today is International Morse code, the standard behind this translator.

Text to Morse code vs Morse code to text

This tool works in both directions automatically:

Text to Morse code: Enter normal English and get the dot-dash version to send, tap, or flash. Great for writing your name in Morse, making jewelry, planning a Morse code tattoo, or sending a hidden message.

Morse code to text: Paste a string of dots and dashes and instantly read what it says. Useful for decoding a message someone sent you, a puzzle, or a signal you heard.

Morse code decoder

Got a message in dots and dashes and no idea what it says? Paste it into the Morse panel above and the decoder writes out the English as you type. It reads spaces as letter breaks and slashes as word breaks, and if a pattern doesn't match any character it shows a ? so you can spot the mistake.

Not every message shows up as text, though. You can also decode Morse from:

• Sound. Play a recording or hold your phone up to the beeps with the audio decoder.
• A picture. Upload a screenshot or photo of dots and dashes to the image decoder.
• Flashing light. Write down each flash as a dot or dash, then paste it above. The light translator is good practice for reading flashes.
• 1s and 0s. Convert on/off binary back to text with the binary converter.

Morse code alphabet (quick reference)

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 --..

See the full Morse code alphabet, numbers, and printable chart for every letter, digit, and symbol.

Popular Morse code translations

These are the messages people translate most often:

Browse all Morse code phrases, or grab ready-made symbols from Morse code copy and paste.

Other ways to send Morse code

Morse doesn't have to stay on a screen. Once you've translated your message, you can send it:

• As beeps. Play or download it with the audio translator.
• With a flashlight. Flash your screen or phone torch with the light translator.
• By keying it. Tap it out with your spacebar or phone on the Morse code keyboard.
• By tapping or knocking. Knocking long and short is hard, which is why prisoners used tap code, a simpler grid-based cousin of Morse.

Curious where it all started? Read about the Morse code machine (the telegraph), how the armed forces used military Morse code, and how Japanese operators send kana with Japanese Morse code.

Frequently asked questions

How do I translate Morse code? Paste the dots and dashes into the Morse panel of the translator above. Separate letters with a space and words with a slash. The English translation appears instantly.

Is there a Morse code decoder for audio or pictures? Yes. Use the audio decoder for beeps and recordings, and the image decoder for screenshots or photos of dots and dashes.

What is SOS in Morse code? SOS is ... --- ...: three dots, three dashes, three dots. It's the international distress signal. More on SOS

Is this Morse code translator free? Yes. It's completely free, works in your browser, and requires no account or download.

Can it play Morse code as sound? Yes. Press the play button to hear your message as audio, and adjust the speed (words per minute) and tone to your liking.

Can I translate Morse code to English? Yes. The translator works both ways. Enter text to get Morse code, or enter Morse code to get English.

Explore more: audio translator · image translator · flashing light · Morse code keyboard · tap code · learn Morse code · what is Morse code? · symbols & prosigns