Encoding
Morse code encode/decode
Encode text (Latin and Cyrillic) into Morse code (dots and dashes) and back. Characters without a table entry are skipped.
Morse code represents every letter and digit as a combination of short (dot) and long (dash) signals. This tool encodes Latin and Cyrillic text into that system and decodes it back.
How to use it
- Encode: enter text and each character turns into a sequence of dots and dashes, with spaces between letters and a slash between words.
- Decode: paste a Morse sequence to get plain text back.
- Characters with no entry in the Morse table are simply skipped, without an error.
Common uses
- A teaching example when learning the history of telegraphy or the basics of information encoding.
- Decoding a Morse message from a movie, game, or puzzle.
- Composing a Morse message for a ham radio hobby or a signaling exercise.
Things to keep in mind
Standard Morse timing: a dash is three times as long as a dot, the gap between letters equals three dots, and the gap between words equals seven.
SOS (···---···) is traditionally sent with no gaps between its letters — it's a fixed distress signal, not the result of applying the ordinary encoding rules.
Article about this tool: Morse code: how text becomes dots and dashes
Frequently asked questions
How are dots, dashes, and spaces separated in Morse code?
By convention, a single space separates dots and dashes within one letter's timing, a single space between letters, and multiple spaces (or a slash) between words. This tool follows the common single-space-between-letters, multi-space-between-words style.
Why do some characters get skipped when encoding?
Morse code has no single universal character set — it standardly covers letters, digits, and a handful of punctuation marks. Characters without a table entry, in the selected Latin or Cyrillic alphabet, are simply skipped.
Can I switch between Latin and Cyrillic Morse code?
Yes, the alphabet selector switches the lookup table used for encoding and decoding, since Cyrillic Morse code assigns different dot/dash patterns to its letters than the Latin alphabet does.
What is WPM and why is it needed?
WPM (words per minute) is the standard unit for Morse transmission speed, using the reference word "PARIS" to standardize timing. It's used to compare the speed of different operators or training programs on a single scale.
Why doesn't SOS have gaps between its letters?
SOS is historically sent as one continuous signal (···---···) with no pauses between letters — it's a distress call, not an ordinary word, so it doesn't follow the standard spacing between letters.