Live Decoder

Morse Code to Text

Paste dots (·) and dashes (—) below. The decoder converts to plain English instantly — no button press needed. Supports standard ITU spacing.

← Full Translator (Text + Audio)


Enter Morse code above to decode…

Click to load an example:

… — …
SOS
International distress signal
.. / .-.. — …- . / -.– — ..-
I Love You
Popular phrase for tattoos & gifts
…. . .-.. .-.. —
Hello
Five-letter greeting
— — .-. … . / -.-. — -.. .
Morse Code
Try the tool name itself

How to Use This Morse Code to Text Decoder

This decoder converts International Morse code — dots and dashes — to plain English in real time. No button press needed. As you type or paste Morse code, the decoded text appears instantly.

  • Dots: Use a period (.) or the · symbol
  • Dashes: Use a hyphen (-) or the — symbol
  • Between letters: One space ( )
  • Between words: Forward slash (/) or three spaces
  • Example: ... --- ... = SOS

The decoder supports the full International Morse code alphabet (A–Z), digits (0–9), and common punctuation marks as standardized in ITU-R M.1677-1.


Morse Code Spacing Rules — Why They Matter

The most common decoding error is incorrect spacing. International Morse code uses three distinct gap lengths, each a multiple of the base dot unit:

  • 1 unit gap — between elements within a single letter (e.g. the dot and dash in A: · —)
  • 3 unit gap (1 space) — between letters within the same word
  • 7 unit gap (/ or 3+ spaces) — between separate words

In text-based Morse code input, the convention is: single space between letters, forward slash (/) between words. This decoder accepts both the slash and extra spaces as word separators.


FAQs — Morse Code to Text

Paste your Morse code above with spaces between letters and a forward slash (/) between words. The decoder converts to plain English instantly. Example: .... . .-.. .-.. --- = HELLO.

··· ——— ··· is SOS — the international distress signal. Three dots (S), three dashes (O), three dots (S). It is transmitted as one continuous sequence under maritime law.

A dot (dit) lasts 1 time unit. A dash (dah) lasts 3 time units. This 1:3 ratio is standardized by the ITU and applies at any speed — from 5 WPM to 75 WPM. The ratio between element lengths stays constant regardless of speed.

This is a text-based decoder — you type or paste the dots and dashes. For audio Morse code decoding (converting audio beeps to text), you would need a hardware or software CW decoder such as FLdigi or CW Skimmer used in amateur radio. Our main translator can play audio Morse; visit the homepage for the full tool.

Explore More Morse Code Tools