Morse Code
International Morse code: the alphabet, timing, prosigns, history and how to learn it by ear.
Translator
Printable charts
Guides
Morse Code with Light and Sound
Send Morse code with a flashlight or buzzer. Short = dot, long = dash (3x). Letter gap = 3 units, word gap = 7 units. SOS step-by-step included.
Morse Code for Kids
Morse code uses dots and dashes for every letter. Start with SOS (· · · — — — · · ·) and your name, then practice tapping on a desk or flashing a light.
How to Type Morse Code on Your Phone
Enable Morse in Gboard on Android via Settings, Languages and input. On iPhone, add Morse Code (US) in the Gboard app. Dots and dashes type real text.
SOS Meaning and History
SOS does not stand for anything. It is a Morse prosign (· · · — — — · · ·) adopted at the 1906 Berlin conference and effective internationally on 1 July 1908.
Does Anyone Still Use Morse Code?
Yes. Amateur radio operators use Morse code daily, the FCC dropped the US exam requirement in 2007, and Gboard added Morse input for accessibility in 2018.
Morse Code Prosigns and Abbreviations
Morse prosigns are sent without letter gaps: AR ends a message, SK ends a contact, BT is a break. Q-codes and common CW abbreviations included.
International vs. American Morse Code
International Morse uses only dots and dashes. American Morse had three mark lengths and different encodings. International became the global standard.
Morse Code Timing Explained
Morse code timing follows four ITU rules: a dash is 3 dots long, gaps within a letter are 1 dot, between letters 3 dots, and between words 7 dots.
How to Learn Morse Code
Learn Morse code in weeks using the Koch method: start at full speed with two characters, add more as you hit 90% accuracy. No memorizing charts needed.
History of Morse Code
Morse code was invented by Samuel Morse and Alfred Vail in the 1830s. Learn how it went from the first telegraph line to a global standard still in use today.