Sound and speed settings
Set Overall speed lower than Speed to add extra space between letters and words. Learners find this easier.
To decode Morse code, read it one letter at a time. A single space separates letters and a slash / separates words. Paste the code into the box above and it turns into English at once, for example .... .. / - .... . .-. . becomes HI THERE.
How to decode Morse code with this tool
- Paste or type the Morse code in the first box. The decoder is already in Morse → Text mode.
- Read the result in the second box. A red question mark means a group of dots and dashes that matches no letter.
- Fix the spacing if you see question marks. One space goes between letters and a slash between words. If the spaces are missing, the decoder lists the most likely ways to split the code.
- Listen with the Play button if you want to hear the message at the speed you choose.
You can also translate in the other direction. The same box converts English back to Morse code, so this page works as a Morse code to English translator and a Morse code reader in one.
What the decoder understands
People write Morse code in many styles, and most translators only read one of them. This decoder accepts all of these:
| You type | It reads as |
|---|---|
. · • |
dot |
- _ – — |
dash |
| one space | gap between letters |
/ | or a new line |
gap between words |
| three or more spaces | gap between words |
So _._ _ _ (underscores and spaces, common in puzzles and games) decodes the same way as -.- - -. Read as three letters it is K, T, T. The spacing decides everything, which is why the next section matters.
Why spacing matters: the same dots and dashes can mean different things
Morse code has no letters, only timing. On paper, the spaces take the place of the pauses. Without them, the same run of dots and dashes can be split in several ways.
Take four dots, ..... Spaced one way it is H. Spaced as .. .. it is II, as ... . it is SE, and as . . . . it is EEEE. Only the pauses in the original signal say which one the sender meant.
When you paste code with no spaces, the decoder shows the readings it finds. For -.-.--.- it suggests CQ first, the classic radio call, followed by other possible splits. You pick the one that makes sense in context.
Decode a pattern you found
If you saw a string of dots and dashes in a game, show, book or message, try this:
- Copy it exactly, including every space. A wide gap often marks a word break.
- Check for look-alikes. Underscores, long dashes and bullets are all accepted, so you do not need to retype them.
- Try short groups first. Most puzzle messages are short words or a name.
- Common signals are worth knowing by heart.
...---...is SOS,.-.-.-is a full stop and-.-.--is an exclamation mark. The full list is on the Morse code alphabet page.
| Phrase | Morse code | Play |
|---|---|---|
| SOS | ... --- ... | |
| HELLO | .... . .-.. .-.. --- | |
| YES | -.-- . ... | |
| NO | -. --- | |
| HELP | .... . .-.. .--. | |
| THANK YOU | - .... .- -. -.- / -.-- --- ..- |
Decipher, decrypt, read: other ways to say "decode"
People ask for a Morse code decipher tool, a Morse code decrypter, a Morse code reader or a Morse code solver. They all mean the same task: turning dots and dashes back into letters. Morse code is not encryption, so there is no key to find. It is a public code, and anyone can decipher it with the chart. To decipher Morse code by hand, split it at the spaces, look up each group, and read the letters in order. To decode Morse code to English quickly, paste it above. If your Morse code comes as sound, use the audio decoder. If it comes as a picture, use the image translator. The decoder is an automatic tool, not an AI model, so it gives the same answer every time, without guessing.
Long strings of only dots and dashes, or of underscores and dots, work too. If a pattern has no spaces, the tool will tell you and show possible readings. A single dot on its own is the letter E, a single dash is T, and two dots are I. Example: .... . .-.. .-.. --- reads HELLO. Phrases such as "morse code to english" or "morsecode to english" mean exactly this.
Decode by hand
You do not need a tool once you know the pattern. Work through the code letter by letter and look each group up on the alphabet chart. Our guide on how to read Morse code explains the timing rules and shows worked examples with the answers.
If the code arrives as sound or light instead of text, use the audio decoder for recordings, the image and light reader for pictures and video, or the tapper to tap a message in and read it as you go.
Frequently asked questions
How do I translate Morse code to English?
Paste the Morse code into the box at the top of this page. Each group of dots and dashes separated by a space becomes one letter, and each slash becomes a space between words. The English text appears immediately.
What does a question mark in the result mean?
It means that group of dots and dashes is not a valid Morse character. Usually a space is missing or in the wrong place. Check the code against the original and look at the suggested readings under the box.
Can the decoder read Morse code without spaces?
Not with certainty, because the same dots and dashes can be split into letters more than one way. It lists the most likely readings so you can choose the one that makes sense.
Does the decoder accept underscores instead of dashes?
Yes. Underscores, hyphens, en dashes and em dashes all count as a dash, and periods, middle dots and bullets all count as a dot.
Is the Morse code I paste sent to a server?
No. Decoding happens in your browser. Nothing you paste is uploaded.