Morse Code to Text Decoder

This tool decodes International Morse Code back into readable text in real time. Enter a sequence of dots and dashes and the plain-text translation appears instantly, character by character. You can also play the input back as audio to verify it sounds correct, and check every character against a built-in reference chart.

Each Morse character is a sequence of short signals (dots) and long signals (dashes). Correct spacing is what tells the decoder where one letter ends and the next begins.

Common Use Cases

Learning & Practice

Check your hand-decoded answers and confirm what a sequence of dots and dashes really spells out.

Puzzles & Games

Crack Morse messages hidden in escape rooms, treasure hunts, films, video games, and brain teasers.

Radio & Signalling

Decode call signs, abbreviations, and CW transmissions noted down from amateur radio or other signals.

How to Decode Morse Code

Enter Dots and Dashes

Type or paste Morse code using a dot (.) for short signals and a dash (-) for long signals.

Mind the Spacing

Separate letters with a single space and words with a slash (/) surrounded by spaces. Spacing is essential for an accurate decode.

Read the Decoded Text

The plain-text translation appears instantly in the output panel as you type — no button to press.

Play to Verify

Click Play to hear your Morse code as tones, with adjustable speed (5–40 WPM) and frequency (300–1000 Hz) to confirm the rhythm is right.

Copy the Text

Press the copy button to send the decoded text to your clipboard, ready to paste anywhere.

Example: .... . .-.. .-.. --- / .-- --- .-. .-.. -.. decodes to HELLO WORLD. Notice the single spaces between letters and the slash between the two words.

Features

Real-Time Decoding & Playback

Instant Decoding

Dots and dashes become readable text as you type, with full International Morse Code coverage.

Letters A–Z
Numbers 0–9
Common punctuation

Audio Verification

Play your input as authentic Morse tones to confirm it sounds the way it should.

Speed: 5–40 WPM
Frequency: 300–1000 Hz
Play / Stop with progress bar

Built-In Tools

Visual Dot-Dash

A visual display shows the dots and dashes for each decoded character, making the pattern easy to follow.

Reference Chart

A complete chart of every letter, digit, and punctuation mark with its Morse pattern, always on hand.

Reverse Mode

Switch to Text to Morse with one tap to encode plain text into dots and dashes.

Runs in your browser: all decoding and audio generation happen locally on your device. Nothing you enter is uploaded to a server.

Spacing & Troubleshooting

Most decoding mistakes come from incorrect spacing rather than wrong dots or dashes. Because Morse has no built-in letter boundaries, the spaces you type are what separate one character from the next.

Wrong Spacing

Hard to decode

No spaces: ....././.-... is ambiguous
Missing slash between words
Extra random spaces inside a letter

Correct Spacing

Decodes cleanly

One space between letters
/ (slash + spaces) between words
Each character matches the reference chart

Unrecognised sequences are skipped. If a group of dots and dashes does not match any character, it is left out of the output. Compare it to the reference chart to spot a missing or extra signal.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I format Morse code input?

Use a dot (.) for short signals and a dash (-) for long signals. Separate letters with a single space and words with a slash (/) surrounded by spaces. Correct spacing is the key to an accurate decode.

What if a Morse code sequence is not recognised?

Sequences that do not match any International Morse Code character are simply skipped in the output. This usually means an extra or missing dot or dash, or spacing that merged two letters together. Check the reference chart to verify the correct pattern.

Can I listen to the Morse code I entered?

Yes. Click the Play button to hear your input as audio. You can adjust the speed (5–40 WPM) and tone frequency (300–1000 Hz), which makes it easy to confirm that the rhythm matches what you intended.

Does it support punctuation and numbers?

Yes. The decoder handles letters A–Z, numbers 0–9, and common punctuation marks such as period, comma, question mark, exclamation mark, parentheses, colon, plus, minus, equals, and the @ sign — the full International Morse Code set shown in the reference chart.

Why does my decoded text look jumbled?

Jumbled output almost always points to spacing. Without a space the decoder cannot tell where one letter ends, and without a slash it cannot tell where one word ends. Add a single space between letters and / between words, then decode again.

Can I encode text into Morse code instead?

Yes. Switch to the Text to Morse mode to do the reverse — type plain text and the tool returns the dots and dashes instantly, with the same audio playback and reference chart.