International Morse Code · ITU Standard · Est. 1865

Morse Code

Encode · Decode · Play audio · Full A-Z and 0-9 reference

Morse code encodes every letter and digit as a sequence of dots (dits) and dashes (dahs). Developed in the 1830s-40s by Samuel Morse and Alfred Vail, it is still used in amateur radio, aviation beacons and naval signalling today.

Text to Morse

... --- ...
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Morse to Text

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A-Z 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
--..

0-9 Reference

0
-----
1
.----
2
..---
3
...--
4
....-
5
.....
6
-....
7
--...
8
---..
9
----.

Rules and Timing

dot = 1 unit  ·  dash = 3 units  ·  Gap between signals = 1 unit  ·  Gap between letters = 3 units  ·  Gap between words = 7 units

SOS was adopted as the international distress signal in 1906 — chosen for simplicity, not as an abbreviation. Still valid on maritime and aviation frequencies.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is SOS in Morse code?

SOS is ... --- ... — three dots, three dashes, three dots, sent as one continuous sequence with no letter spacing. It was adopted in 1906 because it is unmistakable; the letters do not stand for anything.

Is Morse code still used today?

Yes. Amateur radio operators use it daily (CW mode), aviation navigation beacons identify themselves in Morse, and navies still train signalmen. It stopped being required for maritime distress in 1999 when GMDSS replaced it.

How long does it take to learn Morse code?

Most learners reach basic proficiency in one to three months with 15–20 minutes of daily practice. Learning by sound at full character speed (the Koch method) works better than memorizing dot-dash charts.

What are the shortest Morse code letters?

E is a single dot and T is a single dash — the two most common letters in English get the shortest codes. Morse assigned short codes to frequent letters, an early form of data compression.

What is the timing rule in Morse code?

Everything is measured in dot units: a dash is 3 dots, the gap between elements inside a letter is 1 dot, between letters 3 dots, between words 7 dots. Speed in WPM is standardized on the word PARIS (50 units).

What does CQ mean?

CQ is a general call inviting any station to respond — spoken as 'seek you'. CQD ('CQ Distress') was the pre-SOS distress call, famously sent alongside SOS by the Titanic in 1912.