Morse Code Converter
Encode text to Morse code, decode Morse back to text, and playback audio. Supports international Morse code standard.
Morse Code Reference
About this tool
Morse code encodes letters, digits, and punctuation as sequences of dots (·) and dashes (−), invented by Samuel Morse in the 1830s for telegraph communication. It remains in use today in aviation (VOR beacons still transmit their identifier in Morse), amateur radio, assistive technology, and as a cultural motif in films and music.
The converter works in both directions: HELLO WORLD becomes .... . .-.. .-.. --- / .-- --- .-. .-.. -.., and pasting that Morse string back into the decode panel returns HELLO WORLD. You can also play the result as audio — adjust the WPM slider to control playback speed from a slow 5 WPM up to a brisk 40 WPM.
A full reference table is included under the "Morse Code Reference" toggle for quick lookup. The decode mode normalises alternative dot/dash glyphs (bullet •, en-dash –, em-dash —) so you can paste Morse found on the web without reformatting.
FAQ
What does the "/" mean in the output? ›
A slash represents a word boundary — a space in the original text. In Morse, words are separated by 7 dit-lengths of silence; the converter displays "/" where a word break occurs. When decoding back, "/" is treated as a word separator.
Why does my text show "?" in some places? ›
A "?" appears when a character has no Morse equivalent — for example, lowercase letters or characters from scripts that Morse does not cover. The encoder uppercases automatically, but characters like é, ñ, or emoji will show as "?".
What does WPM mean and how does it affect playback? ›
WPM (Words Per Minute) defines the timing base: at 20 WPM, one "dit" lasts 60 ms, one "dah" is 180 ms (three dits), and the spacing between letters and words scales accordingly. Higher WPM means faster playback. The standard reference word for measurement is "PARIS".
Is Morse code still used today? ›
Yes — amateur radio operators use it (especially the CW mode), aviation navigation aids transmit Morse identifiers, the US Coast Guard still monitors 500 kHz, and it serves as an accessibility input method (e.g. switch-based communication). It is also a recognised UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Is there a multi-cipher playground with Morse code? ›
Yes — the Cipher Playground includes Morse code alongside Caesar, Vigenère, Atbash, Rail Fence, and six other ciphers in a single interface. Use it when you want to compare encodings or work with several ciphers without leaving the page.