Morse Code Translator

Morse code converts each character into a unique pattern of short signals (dots, written as .) and long signals (dashes, written as -). The mapping follows International Morse Code standards established by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

Translation is straightforward: each letter or digit maps to a fixed sequence. For example, SOS is ... --- ... — three dots, three dashes, three dots. Spaces between letters indicate character boundaries, and a slash (/) separates words. This tool performs the conversion instantly as you type.

Samuel Morse and Alfred Vail developed the code in the 1830s for the electric telegraph, one of the first long-distance communication systems. The original American Morse code was later refined into International Morse Code, which simplified the character set and removed intra-character gaps.

Morse code was the backbone of maritime communication for over a century. The famous distress signal SOS was adopted internationally in 1906 because its Morse representation (... --- ...) is unmistakable and easy to transmit under stress. Although ships switched to the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System in 1999, Morse code remains in active use by amateur radio operators and in military applications.

Standard Morse timing is based on the dot length as a unit. A dash lasts three dot units. The gap between dots and dashes within a character is one dot unit. The gap between characters is three dot units, and the gap between words is seven dot units.

At 20 words per minute (WPM), a dot lasts about 60 milliseconds. This tool uses the Web Audio API to synthesize tones at 600 Hz — the standard Morse practice frequency — allowing you to hear the rhythm and spacing of any message. Audio generation happens entirely in your browser with no server communication.

Learning Morse code is most effective when you learn by sound rather than visual patterns. The Farnsworth method teaches characters at full speed but with extended gaps between them, gradually reducing the gaps as proficiency improves.

Morse code is useful beyond nostalgia: it can be transmitted with minimal equipment (a flashlight, a mirror, a whistle, or even eye blinks), works reliably over noisy channels where voice communication fails, and requires very little bandwidth. These properties make it valuable for emergency preparedness, accessibility (for people with limited mobility), and low-power communication.