# Morse Code Translator

> Translate text to Morse code and back with audio playback of dots and dashes

**Category:** Utility
**Keywords:** morse, code, translator, dots, dashes, telegraph, encode, decode, SOS, audio
**URL:** https://complete.tools/morse-code

## How it works

**Encoding (Text to Morse):**
Each character is mapped to its standard Morse code pattern. Letters within a word are separated by spaces, and words are separated by " / ".

**Decoding (Morse to Text):**
Each dot-dash pattern is looked up in the reverse table and converted back to the corresponding character.

**Audio Playback Timing:**
The tool uses the PARIS standard for words per minute (WPM), where one word equals 50 timing units:
```
Dot = 1 unit
Dash = 3 units
Gap between symbols = 1 unit
Gap between characters = 3 units
Gap between words = 7 units
```

## Who should use this

- **Ham radio operators**: Practice sending and receiving Morse code at different speeds
- **Students and educators**: Learn the International Morse Code alphabet interactively
- **Scouts and outdoor enthusiasts**: Brush up on Morse code for emergency signaling
- **Puzzle solvers**: Decode Morse code messages in escape rooms, geocaching, or games
- **History enthusiasts**: Explore the telegraph communication system that connected the world

## How to use

1. Select your translation direction: "Text to Morse" or "Morse to Text"
2. Type or paste your input in the text area
3. The translation appears instantly below
4. Click "Play Audio" to hear the Morse code as audible beeps
5. Adjust the speed slider (5-30 WPM) to control playback rate
6. Use the Copy button to copy the result to your clipboard

**For Morse to Text input:** Separate letters with spaces, words with " / ". Example: `... --- ... / .... . .-.. .--. ` translates to "SOS HELP".

## Example

**Text to Morse:**
- Input: `SOS`
- Output: `... --- ...`

**Common phrases:**
- `HELLO` becomes `.... . .-.. .-.. ---`
- `HELP` becomes `.... . .-.. .--. `
- `YES` becomes `-.-- . ...`
- `NO` becomes `-. ---`

**Numbers:**
- `123` becomes `.---- ..--- ...--`
- `2025` becomes `..--- ----- ..--- .....`

## About International Morse Code

International Morse Code was developed in the 1840s by Samuel Morse and Alfred Vail for use with the electric telegraph. It assigns unique sequences of short signals (dots) and long signals (dashes) to each letter, number, and punctuation mark.

The most famous Morse code signal is SOS (`... --- ...`), adopted as the international distress signal in 1906 because of its distinctive, easy-to-recognize pattern. Contrary to popular belief, SOS does not stand for "Save Our Souls" --- it was chosen purely for its simplicity.

While telegraph communication has been largely replaced by modern technology, Morse code remains relevant in amateur (ham) radio, aviation, military applications, and accessibility tools. It is also recognized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) as part of the international standard.

## FAQs

**
**Q:** What characters are supported?**


**A:** All 26 English letters (A-Z), digits 0-9, and common punctuation including period, comma, question mark, exclamation mark, slash, parentheses, colon, semicolon, and more.

**
**Q:** Is this tool case-sensitive?**


**A:** No. All text is converted to uppercase before encoding, since Morse code does not distinguish between upper and lower case.

**
**Q:** What does WPM mean?**


**A:** Words Per Minute, based on the PARIS standard. At 15 WPM, the word "PARIS" would be transmitted 15 times per minute. Beginners typically start at 5-10 WPM, while experienced operators can exceed 25 WPM.

**
**Q:** Can I use this offline?**


**A:** Yes. All translation and audio playback happens locally in your browser. No internet connection is needed after the page loads.

**
**Q:** What frequency is the audio tone?**


**A:** The playback uses a 600 Hz sine wave, which is a common frequency used in Morse code practice applications.

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*Generated from [complete.tools/morse-code](https://complete.tools/morse-code)*