Yes, people still use Morse code — actively, not just as a curiosity. Amateur radio operators make thousands of Morse code contacts every day. Google added Morse code as a typing method in Gboard for accessibility. And the ITU still maintains the official standard. What changed is that Morse code is no longer required for most purposes; it is now chosen.
Amateur (Ham) Radio: The Main User Today
The largest group of active Morse code users is amateur radio operators. CW (continuous wave) — the abbreviation used for Morse in ham radio — has dedicated sub-bands in every HF frequency range. On any given day, operators around the world are making CW contacts, participating in CW contests, and chasing awards that require CW operation.
CW appeals for practical reasons:
- A Morse signal can cut through noise and weak signal conditions that defeat SSB (single sideband voice) and many digital modes.
- CW requires the simplest transmitters. A basic oscillator and a key can work as a transmitter.
- CW has a dedicated emergency protocol (the SOS prosign) and can be sent with improvised means: a flashlight, a buzzer, tapping on a pipe.
The ARRL (American Radio Relay League) runs multiple CW contests annually, including the CW Sweepstakes, and provides free Morse training resources.
The FCC Removed the US Exam Requirement in 2007
From 1913 until 2007, the US required amateur radio applicants for General and Amateur Extra Class licenses to demonstrate Morse code proficiency. That requirement was eliminated in FCC order 06-178, which took effect February 23, 2007. The change followed similar decisions by most other countries’ telecommunications regulators and a 2003 World Radiocommunication Conference resolution.
Removing the exam requirement did not prohibit Morse. Operators continue to use it — now by choice.
Maritime Communication
Morse code was mandatory for maritime distress communication from 1908 (when SOS came into effect) until 1999, when the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) took over. GMDSS uses satellite links, digital selective calling (DSC), and EPIRBs (emergency position-indicating radio beacons). Some maritime operators still learn Morse as a backup, but it is not required.
The Military
Some military branches retain Morse code skills for specific missions — particularly special operations forces, where improvised communications may be necessary, and signals intelligence. The US Navy trained large numbers of radiomen in Morse through World War II and beyond. Current training scope varies by service and is not publicly detailed in full.
Accessibility: Gboard and Assistive Technology
In 2018, Google rolled out Morse code input in Gboard, developed in partnership with assistive technology developer Tania Finlayson. As Google’s blog post explains, Finlayson has cerebral palsy and has used Morse code to communicate for decades. The Gboard Morse keyboard lets users type using just two inputs — a dot and a dash — making it practical for people who cannot use a standard keyboard.
The same accessibility principle that made Morse useful for radio operators makes it useful for people with limited motor ability: it requires only two distinct actions to encode the entire alphabet.
Current Active Uses at a Glance
| Use | Status |
|---|---|
| Amateur radio (CW) | Active worldwide |
| Gboard accessibility input | Active (Android and iOS) |
| US maritime distress (primary) | Retired 1999 |
| US amateur license exam requirement | Removed Feb. 23, 2007 |
| ITU standard (M.1677-1) | In force |
| Scout and survival skills training | Active in many programs |
| Historical reenactment / railroad telegraphy | Active (hobby groups) |
Practical Survival Use
Morse code remains the simplest communication protocol for improvised signaling. Three short flashes, three long flashes, three short flashes (· · · — — — · · ·) is recognized as a distress signal even by people who do not know Morse code, because SOS has been part of popular culture for over a century. This requires no electronics — just a flashlight, a mirror, or anything that can make a distinguishable short/long signal.
Use the Morse code translator to encode any message. See history of Morse code for the full story and Morse code prosigns and abbreviations to understand the operating language used in modern CW contacts.