Decode Morse Code to Text
A Morse Code decoder converts dots and dashes into readable text. For example, .... . .-.. .-.. --- decodes to HELLO.
A longer message can use / as a written word separator: .... . .-.. .-.. --- / .-- --- .-. .-.. -.. decodes to HELLO WORLD.
The decoder matches each Morse character with its corresponding letter, number, or supported punctuation mark. International Morse Code is the modern standard used for this type of decoding, and ITU-R Recommendation M.1677-1 is currently listed as in force.
How to Use the Morse Code Decoder
- Enter or paste your Morse code.
- Use dots (
.) and dashes (-) for each character. - Separate letters with spaces.
- Use
/between words when written word separation is needed. - Check the decoded text.
- If the result looks wrong, check the spacing and individual Morse groups.
SOS Example
Input: ... --- ...
Result: SOS
MORSE CODE Example
Input: -- --- .-. ... . / -.-. --- -.. .
Result: MORSE CODE
How Morse Code Decoding Works
The basic decoding process follows three steps:
1. Read the Pattern
Identify dots and dashes in each group (e.g. .- = A, -... = B, ... = S).
2. Match the Character
Compare the pattern with the International Morse character table:
| Morse Pattern | Character |
|---|---|
. | E |
- | T |
.- | A |
-... | B |
-.-. | C |
.... | H |
... | S |
--- | O |
----- | 0 |
.---- | 1 |
..... | 5 |
3. Build the Message
Put characters together in order (.... . .-.. .-.. --- → HELLO).
Why Morse Code Spacing Matters
Spacing is one of the most common reasons a Morse decoder produces an unexpected result. In actual Morse transmission, timing defines element, character, and word boundaries.
| Signal or Gap | Standard Duration |
|---|---|
| Dot (dit) | 1 unit |
| Dash (dah) | 3 units |
| Gap between elements inside character | 1 unit |
| Gap between characters | 3 units |
| Gap between words | 7 units |
Missing Letter Spaces
Compare .. (represents I) with . . (represents E E). The signals are identical, but character boundaries change the entire decoded result.
Morse Code Translator Without Spaces
Morse Code without spaces is harder to decode because character boundaries are removed. For example, ...---... is recognized as SOS, but arbitrary unspaced Morse sequences can produce multiple valid combinations.
For written Morse, adding spaces between individual characters is often the most important correction you can make for an accurate decode.
Common Morse Code Examples
| Phrase / Word | Morse Pattern | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| SOS | ... --- ... | Distress signal |
| HELLO | .... . .-.. .-.. --- | 5 letter word |
| HELLO WORLD | .... . .-.. .-.. --- / .-- --- .-. .-.. -.. | Multi-word with slash |
| MORSE CODE | -- --- .-. ... . / -.-. --- -.. . | Multi-word phrase |
Decoder vs Encoder vs Word Separator
- Morse Code Decoder: Converts Morse patterns into readable text (
.... . .-.. .-.. ---→ HELLO). - Morse Code Encoder: Converts readable text into Morse (HELLO →
.... . .-.. .-.. ---). - Word Separator: Shows where one word ends and another begins (using
/or 7 timing units).
Related Morse Code Tools & Guides
Explore our complete suite of specialized Morse code utilities: