CONVERTERS
Morse Code Translator
Translate text to Morse code and decode Morse back to text.
DOTS & DASHES
Translate locally
Translation happens in the browser and is never uploaded.
Morse code translator guide
Morse code turns letters into patterns of dots and dashes — the original digital communication, sent over telegraph wires since the 1840s and still recognized worldwide through its most famous message: SOS (... --- ...). This translator converts text to Morse and back, and can even play the code as audio.
It runs entirely in your browser — translate, copy, and sound out your message instantly.
How Morse code works
Every letter, digit, and punctuation mark maps to a pattern of dots (short signals) and dashes (long signals, three times a dot’s length). The code was designed around frequency: common letters like E (.) and T (−) got the shortest patterns, rare ones like Q (−−.−) and Z (−−..) the longest — an early exercise in information theory, decades before Shannon formalized it.
The conventions: letters are separated by one gap, words by a longer gap (often written as /). Timing is relative — “dots” and “dashes” just have a 1:3 length ratio, which is why Morse works over any medium: sound, light, or radio.
SOS and survival lore
SOS is not an acronym — it was chosen because ... --- ... is unmistakable and trivially easy to send and recognize. The convention spread from maritime radio, and SOS remains the universal distress signal in Morse. (Fun fact: many languages backronymed it — “Save Our Souls,” “Save Our Ship” — but the original choice was purely about the pattern.)
Morse in the modern world
Morse is still licensed and used by amateur radio operators, taught in scouting, and employed in accessibility contexts — some assistive devices let people communicate by tapping dots and dashes. Its persistence is a testament to how good the design was: a complete alphabet in two symbols, decodable by ear, with no electronics required.
Frequently asked questions
What does SOS mean in Morse code?
... --- ... (dot dot dot, dash dash dash, dot dot dot). SOS was chosen for its unmistakable pattern, not as an acronym.
How do I translate Morse to text?
Type or paste the code with spaces between letters (use / for word gaps) and choose “Morse → Text”. The tool decodes instantly.
Is Morse code still used?
Yes — in amateur radio, scouting, and some assistive communication devices. It remains a licensed skill with active communities worldwide.
What is the difference between a dot and a dash?
Duration: a dash lasts three times as long as a dot. The gaps between letters and words follow the same relative timing.
Can the translator play the code?
Yes — in Text → Morse mode, the Play button sounds out the code as audio (about 700 Hz tone) with correct dot/dash timing.
Privacy note: Morse translation and audio generation happen in your browser. Your input is not submitted to NAB Tools.