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Encoding & Decoding Runs in browser Updated 02 Apr 2026

Morse Code Decoder

Decode Morse code dots and dashes back to plain text. Supports full ITU alphabet including letters, digits, and punctuation. Audio playback available.

Speed:
WPM

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How to use Morse Code Decoder

  1. Switch to Decode mode

    Click the 'Decode' tab to switch the widget to decoding mode.

  2. Paste your Morse code

    Paste dots (.) and dashes (-) separated by single spaces into the input. Separate words with ' / ' (space-slash-space).

  3. Read the decoded text

    The plain text output appears instantly. Unknown Morse patterns are shown as '?' so you can identify typos.

  4. Verify with audio

    Switch to Encode mode and type the decoded text to hear it played back as audio tones — useful for confirming accuracy.

  5. Copy the result

    Click Copy to copy the decoded plain text to your clipboard.

Morse Code Decoder FAQ

How do I format Morse code for the decoder?
Separate each dot or dash within a letter using no space (e.g. '.-' for A). Separate letters with a single space. Separate words with ' / ' (space-slash-space). Example: '.... . .-.. .-.. --- / .-- --- .-. .-.. -..' decodes to 'HELLO WORLD'.

What does '?' mean in the decoded output?
A '?' means the corresponding Morse pattern has no match in the ITU standard table. This usually indicates a typo — a missing dot or dash — or a non-standard Morse abbreviation not in the ITU set.

Is this tool safe to use? Are inputs sent to a server?
No data is uploaded. All decoding runs client-side in your browser. Nothing leaves your device.

What letters and symbols does ITU Morse code support?
ITU International Morse Code covers all 26 Latin letters (A–Z), digits 0–9, and common punctuation including period (.-.-.-), comma (--..--), question mark (..--..), and several others. Accented letters and non-Latin scripts are not part of the standard and are not supported.

Is Morse code case-sensitive?
No. Morse code has no concept of letter case — all output is uppercase. The encoder converts lowercase input to uppercase automatically before generating Morse patterns.

Can I decode Morse code that uses different separators?
The decoder expects ' / ' (space-slash-space) to separate words. If your Morse uses a different convention (such as double space), replace those manually before pasting. Single spaces always separate individual letters.

What is the history of International Morse Code?
International Morse Code (ITU Morse) was standardized in 1865 and updated several times since. It differs from American Morse Code (used in early US telegraphy) in the patterns assigned to several letters and digits. ITU Morse is the global standard still used in amateur radio and maritime distress signals.

Can I hear the decoded message played back?
Yes — switch to Encode mode, paste the decoded text into the input, and click Play Audio to hear the Morse code tones at your chosen WPM speed.

How many dots and dashes does each letter use?
The ITU assigns 1–5 symbols per character: E (.) and T (-) are the shortest. Longer patterns like 0 (-----) use 5 symbols. Common letters (E, T, A, N) have short patterns because they appear most frequently in text.

Background

Paste a Morse code sequence to decode it back to plain text in real time. The tool validates each pattern against the full ITU International Morse Code standard — letters A–Z, digits 0–9, and common punctuation — and flags unrecognized sequences with a "?" placeholder so you can spot typos.

Input format: Dots (.) and dashes (-), single space between letters, " / " (space-slash-space) between words. Example: .... . .-.. .-.. --- / .-- --- .-. .-.. -.. → HELLO WORLD

Brute-force unknown formats: If your Morse uses different conventions, use the encoder to type the expected text and compare the pattern against your input.

Audio verification: Switch to Encode mode to hear the decoded message played back as tones at 5–20 WPM — useful for confirming a decode by ear.

All processing runs client-side. No data is uploaded or transmitted.

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