How to format Morse code for decoding
The decoder needs to know where each letter ends and where each word ends. It reads both from the gaps you leave.
- Between letters: one space.
.... ..reads as HI. - Between words: a slash, with or without spaces around it. A vertical bar (|) or three or more spaces also work.
.... .. / -.-- --- ..-reads as HI YOU. - Line breaks: a new line counts as a letter gap, not a word gap. If your Morse is split over several lines, end each line with a slash.
- Dots and dashes: use a period and a hyphen. The decoder also accepts the middle dot (·), bullet (•), underscore (_), en dash, and minus sign, so text copied from other sites usually works as it is.
- Unknown groups: any group that is not a valid code, or that contains a letter or digit, shows up as #. Check that group for a missing space or a typo.
How to decode Morse code by hand
Keep the Morse code alphabet open, or print theMorse code chart. Then work one group at a time.
- Split the message into words at each slash.
- Split each word into letters at each space.
- Look up each group in the chart.
-.-.is C,.-is A,-is T. - Write the letters down in order. That word is CAT.
The most common letters have the shortest codes. E is a single dot and T is a single dash. Paste your hand-decoded message into the tool above to check your answer.
Common decoding mistakes
Missing letter gaps. Without a space, two letters merge into a different one. E (.) and T (-) with no space between them read as.-, which is A.
Miscounting dots. S is ...and H is ..... One dot apart. Count twice on long runs of dots or dashes.
Mixing up mirror pairs. A (.-) and N (-.) use the same signals in reverse order. So do U (..-) and D (-..).
Running SOS together. Radio operators send SOS as one unbroken signal. If you paste it that way, the decoder shows #, because no single character has that code. Write it as ... --- ... instead.
FAQ
How do I translate Morse code to English?
Paste the Morse into the Morse code box at the top of this page. The English text appears in the other box as you type. Put a space between letters and a slash between words, like .... . .-.. .-.. --- / .-- --- .-. .-.. -.. for HELLO WORLD.
Can I decode Morse code from audio?
Not on this site yet. The decoder reads typed or pasted dots and dashes only. It cannot listen to a recording or your microphone. To decode a sound file, write down each beep as a dot or a dash while you listen, then paste what you wrote here.
Why does my decoded text show a # symbol?
A # means that group of dots and dashes is not a letter, number, or punctuation mark in International Morse Code. Usually two letters ran together because a space is missing, or a stray character slipped in. Find the group and fix the spacing.
Why are all my words joined together?
The decoder only starts a new word at a slash (/), a vertical bar (|), or three or more spaces in a row. A single space, two spaces, or a line break all count as a gap between letters. Add a slash between words and the spaces come back.
Can I hear the Morse code I decoded?
Yes. Press Play under the boxes to hear the code as a radio tone or a telegraph sounder. You can also flash it as light, change the speed, or download it as a WAV or MP3 file.