What Is Morse Code?
Morse code is a communication system that represents characters using short (dot .) and long (dash -) signals. Developed by Samuel Morse in 1836 and standardized internationally in 1865, it can be transmitted via radio waves, light, sound, or physical tapping. It remains in use today in aviation and maritime emergency communications.
Morse Code Reference Table
| Char | Morse | Char | Morse | Char | Morse |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | .- | J | .--- | S | ... |
| B | -... | K | -.- | T | - |
| C | -.-. | L | .-.. | U | ..- |
| D | -.. | M | -- | V | ...- |
| E | . | N | -. | W | .-- |
| H | .... | O | --- | 0 | ----- |
| I | .. | R | .-. | 1 | .---- |
Morse Code Rules
- A dot (.) is a short signal; a dash (-) is 3× the length of a dot.
- Symbols within a character are separated by the length of one dot.
- Characters are separated by a space.
- Words are separated by a slash (/).
Frequently Asked Questions
SOS is ... --- ... in Morse code. S is three dots (...) and O is three dashes (---). It is the internationally recognized distress signal, adopted in 1906.
Letters within a word are separated by a space. Words are separated by a slash (/). For example: HELLO WORLD = .... . .-.. .-.. --- / .-- --- .-. .-.. -..
Samuel Morse developed the original telegraph code in 1836. International Morse Code was standardized by the ITU in 1865 and is still used in aviation and maritime communication today.