Morse Code Translator — Encode and Decode Messages

Morse code has been around since the 1830s and it's still relevant. Learn how it works and try translating messages with audio playback.

Morse code has been around since the 1830s, and while it's no longer the primary means of communication, it's far from dead. Ham radio operators still use it. It's part of emergency protocols. And honestly? It's just cool to know.

How Morse code works

Every letter and number is represented by a unique sequence of dots (short signals) and dashes (long signals). A dash is three times as long as a dot. The space between letters is three dots long, and the space between words is seven dots long.

The most famous Morse code? SOS: ··· ——— ··· (three dots, three dashes, three dots). It was chosen not because it stands for "Save Our Souls" — that's a backronym. It was chosen because it's unmistakable and easy to send, even under stress.

The alphabet in Morse

Some letters are just one character: E is a single dot (·), T is a single dash (—). The most common letters in English have the shortest codes — that's by design, to make transmission faster.

Modern uses

Beyond ham radio and emergency signaling, Morse code shows up in unexpected places. Some people use it for accessibility — blinking or tapping Morse code when speech isn't possible. Prisoners of war have famously used it to communicate covertly. And it's a popular topic for puzzles, escape rooms, and educational projects.

Try it yourself

Toolozo's Morse Code Translator converts any text to Morse code and back. Type in your message and see the dots and dashes. You can even listen to the audio playback — hearing the rhythm is the best way to start learning Morse. All processing happens in your browser, so your secret messages stay secret.