How do you convert text to morse code?

To convert text to Morse code, simply type your plain text into the TX panel of our converter to instantly translate characters into dots and dashes. You can then listen to the audio playback or copy the Morse code.

What does SOS look like in morse code?

The SOS distress signal in Morse code is represented as three dots, three dashes, and three dots (· · · - - - · · ·). It is the universal standard for emergencies because this continuous sequence is highly distinct and easy to remember.

Is there an app to translate morse code?

Yes, you can use our free, browser-based web app to instantly translate Morse code. It works perfectly on desktop and mobile devices without needing to download any separate applications.

How do you read morse code?

Reading Morse code involves memorizing the specific sequence of short signals (dots) and long signals (dashes) for each letter. You can learn quickly by studying our complete A-Z chart or using our converter to instantly translate code back into plain text.

What is the morse code for all letters?

The Morse code for all 26 letters of the English alphabet uses unique combinations of dots and dashes, such as 'A' (· -) and 'B' (- · · ·). You can view the entire A-Z reference table on this page to see the exact code for every letter.

How does the WPM speed setting work?

WPM stands for Words Per Minute and determines the speed of the Morse code audio playback. At 20 WPM, a single dot lasts exactly 60 milliseconds and a dash lasts 180 milliseconds.

Is my data private? Is anything sent to a server?

Yes, your data is 100% private because this tool runs entirely locally in your browser. No text or audio data is ever sent to any server or logged.

The History of Morse Code

From the invention of the electric telegraph in the 1830s to the modern era, explore how Morse code revolutionized global communication and shaped the modern world.

Before the internet, telephones, or even commercial radio, humanity's ability to communicate over long distances was limited by the speed of physical transportation. The history of Morse code is inextricably linked to the invention of the electric telegraph—a breakthrough that shrank the world and sparked the telecommunications revolution.

wb_incandescent

The Invention of the Telegraph

1830s

An American portrait painter named Samuel F.B. Morse became fascinated with electromagnetism. Alongside his assistant Alfred Vail and physicist Joseph Henry, Morse developed an electrical telegraph system. This system could send electrical pulses over a wire to control an electromagnet at the receiving end.

chat

"What hath God wrought"

1844

On May 24, 1844, Samuel Morse transmitted the first official telegraph message from Washington, D.C., to Alfred Vail in Baltimore. The successful demonstration sparked a telecommunications boom, with wires quickly crisscrossing the United States alongside expanding railroads.

public

International Standardization

1865

The original American Morse code relied heavily on complex internal timing pauses. The International Telecommunication Union adopted the simplified International Morse Code, which is the exact same standard used worldwide today.

sailing

Maritime & Military Era

1900s

Radio telegraphy allowed ships to communicate over the horizon, transforming maritime safety and leading to the adoption of the SOS distress signal. It also played a pivotal role in military logistics during both World Wars.

satellite_alt

Modern Legacy

Today

While officially retired from commercial maritime use in 1999, Morse code remains highly popular among amateur (ham) radio operators because a continuous wave (CW) signal cuts through atmospheric noise far better than voice transmissions.

Send a message like it's 1844

Convert any text to International Morse Code and listen to the authentic radio telegraph audio.

Open Morse Code Converter