What is Morse code?
Morse code is a communication system that represents letters and numbers using short signals (Β·, "dit") and long signals (β, "dah"). Devised by Samuel Morse in the 1830s, it was once the universal way to communicate before wireless telegraphy became widespread. Even today, SOS (Β·Β·Β·---Β·Β·Β·) is internationally recognized as the distress signal.
How to use it
- Text β Morse code: Enter letters/numbers to convert them to Morse code. Words are separated by " / ".
- Morse code β Text: Enter dots (.) and dashes (-), with a space between letters and " / " between words, to convert to text.
- Play sound: Listen to the converted Morse code as actual beep tones.
Notes
This translator only supports the English alphabet (A-Z) and digits (0-9) β other scripts aren't converted. It follows the International Morse Code standard.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is SOS used as a distress signal?
SOS (Β·Β·Β·---Β·Β·Β·) β three dots, three dashes, three dots β has a simple, easy-to-remember pattern, which is why it was adopted as the international distress signal at the 1906 International Radiotelegraph Convention. It's sometimes said to stand for "Save Our Souls," but it was actually chosen purely for the simplicity of the pattern.
Is Morse code still used today?
It's rarely used in commercial communication anymore, but it's still actively used in amateur (HAM) radio, aviation and maritime emergency signaling, and some military communications.