Read one character at a time
In written Morse, letters have a space between them and words have a slash. The slash punctuation itself is -..-.. Try .... . .-.. .-.. --- in the translator to read HELLO.
Learn the pauses as well as the patterns
The gaps tell you where each character ends. A dot and a gap within a letter each last one unit; letter gaps last three units and word gaps last seven. Explore the timing guide, then generate and hear your own message.
Start learning by ear
Use the chart to check a pattern, then listen to it as one rhythm rather than counting every mark.
- Begin with a small set: E (
.), T (-), A (.-), and N (-.). Play one letter at a time in the generator. - Choose a comfortable speed and repeat the letter aloud after the sound finishes. If a pattern runs together, turn the speed down.
- Listen without looking at the chart, write the letter you hear, then check it. Add a few letters only when your small set feels familiar.
- Practice a short name or word, paying attention to where the letters stop. The timing guide explains the pauses.
Questions about dots, dashes, and spaces
What do the dots and dashes mean?
Each group identifies a character. A dot is one short signal; a dash lasts three times as long. . alone is E and - alone is T. Together, .- is A.
Why does Morse code need spaces?
The gap tells you whether the next mark belongs to the same letter, a new letter, or a new word. In written Morse, .. is I, while . . is EE. Sound and light use pauses to make that distinction.
Is a slash part of the signal?
A slash between groups, such as .- / -..., marks a word break in written Morse and means A B. To encode an actual slash punctuation character, use its pattern -..-..
How do I write my name in Morse code?
Find the pattern for each letter and keep them in order, with a space between letters. Or enter your name in the generator to get the complete pattern and hear it. This chart supports English letters A–Z; replace unsupported accented letters with their plain-letter spelling if that suits your name.
Reference: ITU-R M.1677-1: International Morse code.