Morse Code Translator

International vs. American Morse Code

The original American Morse Code used variable-length dashes and internal spaces within characters. The International Morse Code, standardized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), simplified this to just two signal lengths: dots and dashes. Today, "Morse code" almost always refers to the International standard.

How Morse Code Timing Works

Standard Morse code timing follows precise ratios. A dot (dit) is 1 time unit. A dash (dah) is 3 time units. The gap between symbols within a letter is 1 unit. The gap between letters is 3 units. The gap between words is 7 units. Speed is measured in words per minute (WPM), using the word "PARIS" as the standard reference — it contains exactly 50 time units.

Common Morse Code Examples

Is Morse Code Still Used Today?

Yes. While commercial telegraph services ended decades ago, Morse code remains actively used in amateur (ham) radio, aviation navigation aids (VOR/NDB beacons still transmit identifiers in Morse code), military communication, and accessibility technology. Google Gboard supports Morse code input on Android and iOS for users with motor impairments. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) continues to recognize Morse code as an official encoding standard.

Learning Morse Code

Two popular methods for learning Morse code are the Koch Method and Farnsworth Timing. The Koch Method starts with two characters at full speed, adding new characters only after reaching 90% accuracy. The Farnsworth Method sends individual characters at full speed but adds extra spacing between them, gradually reducing the gaps as proficiency improves. Both approaches are more effective than trying to memorize a visual chart.