Morse Code Encode
Encode text into Morse code instantly. Type a message, get dots and dashes output, and copy it for learning, puzzles, and signals.
Enter your Texts
What this does
So you want to turn ordinary writing into Morse code. This does it instantly. Type your words into the text box and the matching dots and dashes appear in the box below, ready to copy. And it runs both ways, so if you type or paste Morse into the lower box, your plain text shows up above. It is encoder and decoder in one, with the text box leading the way.
How to use it
- Type your text into the top box.
- The Morse code appears in the box below as you type.
- Copy the Morse to use it. To go the other way, type Morse into the lower box and read the text above.
It all happens in your browser, so nothing you type is sent anywhere.
A quick word on Morse code
Morse code is a way of representing letters and numbers as sequences of two simple signals, a short one called a dot and a long one called a dash. It was born in the age of the telegraph, when messages were tapped out as short and long pulses down a wire, and it went on to become a worldwide standard for sending text by sound, light, or any on-and-off signal. The version used here is International Morse Code, the agreed standard that covers the letters A to Z, the digits 0 to 9, and a range of common punctuation.
How to read the dots and dashes
The output follows the standard spacing that keeps Morse readable. Each letter is written as its own little group of dots and dashes, and a gap separates one letter from the next so the groups do not run together. A larger gap marks the break between whole words, so you can tell where one word ends and another begins. Once you know that the small spaces divide letters and the bigger spaces divide words, a line of Morse stops looking like a jumble and starts reading as a proper message.
Good to know
A few honest notes. Morse does not distinguish capital letters from small ones, so your text is treated the same whatever the case, and converting Morse back gives you plain letters without capitalisation. The standard covers letters, numbers, and common punctuation, so an unusual symbol that has no Morse equivalent may not convert. And when you are going from Morse back to text, the tool expects valid Morse, so if it cannot make sense of what is in the box it will flag it as invalid, which is your cue to check the dots, dashes, and spacing.
Questions people ask
Can it also turn Morse back into text?
Yes. Although it is set up with the text box on top for encoding, typing or pasting Morse into the lower box converts it back to plain text above, so it works in both directions.
Does it handle numbers and punctuation?
It does. International Morse covers the digits and a range of common punctuation alongside the letters, so those convert too. A rare symbol with no Morse form may be left out.
Does capitalisation matter?
No. Morse has no separate capitals, so upper and lower case are treated the same, and decoded text comes back in plain letters.
References
- International Telecommunication Union. Recommendation ITU-R M.1677, International Morse code. https://www.itu.int/rec/R-REC-M.1677/en
Sarayu is an Assistant Lecturer at Herald College, currently studying Masters of Engineering at KU. She is a Software engineer and educator who enjoys writing, and publishes essays and articles. She helps to review word/text utilities for clarity and usability.