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.
The most common decoding mistake is wrong spacing. In written Morse code, one space separates letters and a slash or three spaces separates words. If you forget the space between letters, two letters merge into one wrong letter: dot-dash followed by dot-dot-dot with no space reads as one long pattern instead of A and S. If you add extra spaces inside a letter, one letter splits into two wrong letters. Before you blame the decoder, check your spacing first. Type slowly, put one clear space between letter groups, and use a slash between words.
The second common mistake is mixing up similar patterns. S is three dots and O is three dashes, so a message full of S and O needs careful counting. H is four dots and V is three dots plus a dash. B is dash-dot-dot-dot and D is dash-dot-dot; one extra dot turns D into B. When a decoded sentence looks almost right but one word is nonsense, find the word and count the dots and dashes in each of its letters against the Morse code alphabet chart. The wrong letter is usually one dot or dash away from the right one.
The third mistake is copying a pattern from memory instead of checking it. Even experienced operators misremember rare punctuation marks and prosigns. The Morse code reference tables and the Morse code dictionary settle those questions in seconds. A fourth mistake is decoding from a blurry image or a noisy recording with the wrong tool: use the Morse code image decoder for pictures and the Morse code audio decoder for sound files instead of typing what you think you see or hear.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my decoded message look like nonsense?
Nonsense output usually means the spacing was wrong or one letter was miscounted. Check that you used one space between letters and a slash between words, then recount the dots and dashes in the wrong word against the alphabet chart. One extra dot or a missing space is enough to scramble a whole word. Learn more about the code in the Morse code article on Wikipedia.
How do I fix a wrong letter in a decoded message?
Find the wrong word, split it into letter groups, and look up each group in the alphabet chart. The wrong letter is usually one dot or dash away from the right one. Fix the group, then decode again and read the sentence to confirm it makes sense. Use the Morse code to text decoder above to check your corrected message.
Can I decode Morse code without spaces?
Not reliably. Without spaces, the decoder cannot tell where one letter ends and the next begins, because many patterns overlap. Always put one space between letters and a slash or three spaces between words. If your source has no spaces, add them by hand before decoding.
What is the most confusing pair of Morse code letters?
S and O confuse beginners most, because S is three dots and O is three dashes. B and D also confuse people, since B is dash-dot-dot-dot and D is dash-dot-dot. Counting carefully and checking against the chart resolves both pairs.
Why does SOS decode as one symbol sometimes?
SOS is sent as one continuous distress signal with no gaps between the letters, so some decoders show it as a single prosign rather than three letters. That is correct behavior for a distress signal. For ordinary words, keep a clear space between letters. The ITU standard defines the SOS distress signal.
How can I check a decoded message by hand?
Split the message into words, then into letter groups, and look up each group in the alphabet chart. Read the letters aloud as you go. If the sentence makes sense, the decode is almost certainly right. If one word stays nonsense, recount its groups. The Morse code to text decoder is faster, but checking by hand confirms you understand the patterns.
✓ ITU-R M.1677-1 Verified International Morse Code Standard · View ITU Standard ↗
