Morse Code Words and Phrases

To write a word in Morse code, replace each letter with its dots and dashes and leave a space between letters. To write a sentence, do the same for every word and put a slash / between words. For example, "SEE YOU" is ... . . / -.-- --- ..-.

How to write words, sentences and messages in Morse code

Morse code has no words of its own. Every word is spelled out letter by letter, so any message in any sentence works the same way:

1. Write the message with capital letters in mind. Morse code does not distinguish capitals from lower case.
2. Look up each letter on the alphabet chart. Numbers are on the numbers page.
3. Put one space between letters. The space stands for a pause the length of three dots.
4. Put a slash between words. The slash stands for a longer pause, seven dots.
5. Punctuation has its own codes, such as .-.-.- for a full stop and ..--.. for a question mark. In practice many operators leave out punctuation unless it matters.

Here is a full sentence worked through:

Or paste any sentence into the Morse code translator and it is done for you. The decoder works the other way round.

Greetings and manners

Greetings are among the most searched phrases. The words with their own pages are linked.

More on the most popular ones: hello in Morse code and hi in Morse code.

Yes, no, OK and short answers

Short replies are the quickest messages to send and the easiest to learn. See yes in Morse code and no in Morse code for the details.

OK in Morse code is --- -.-, the letters O and K. People often write it "OKAY" too, which is --- -.- .- -.--. Radio operators more often send R (.-.) to mean "received".

Feelings and special days

These come with their own page: I love you in Morse code includes tap and blink versions. For a gift or a tattoo, see the bracelet and tattoo guide.

Help, calls and requests

For emergencies, see help in Morse code and SOS in Morse code. If you are in danger, call your local emergency number first.

Blunt replies

Morse code is blunt by nature: sending is slow, so people keep it short. These also come up often:

Mysterious and creepy Morse code messages

Morse code is a favourite for puzzle books, escape rooms, scary stories and games because anyone can send it with a light or a tap and few people can read it at a glance. The phrases below are popular for Halloween props and fiction.

Family, friends and people close to you

Words for the people in your life are some of the most requested. Each one is just its letters.

Short feelings and values are popular for bracelets, gifts and tattoos: faith, hope, peace, brave, believe, always, forever, happy, sad, life, home, "never give up" and "until we meet again".

For the full jewellery and tattoo advice, see the bracelet and tattoo guide.

Your name and other names in Morse code

To write your name in Morse code, spell it letter by letter. A name has no special code. Type it into the translator and copy the result. Some popular examples:

If your name is missing, the translator handles any name. Names with accents such as José or Zoë are covered on the other alphabets page.

Pets, food and everyday words

Nouns work like any other word. A few that people often try:

"ILY" is the text-message short form of "I love you". There is more on that in I love you in Morse code.

Texting and writing in Morse code

Texting in Morse code is possible, but plain letters are quicker for the reader. If you want to write a message in Morse code for a friend, paste your text into the translator, copy the dots and dashes, and paste them into the chat. Use a slash between words so the reader can follow it, and send them to the decoder if they cannot read it. Writing in Morse code by hand is the same: one space between letters and a slash between words.

Questions like "what does it say?" always start with the same step: split the dots and dashes at the spaces, then match each group on the chart. To translate something into Morse code you do not need to learn anything first, but a few minutes of learning Morse code makes it much easier to read.

Famous quotes and lines

Famous quotes make good puzzles because the reader knows roughly what to expect. Try typing a line from a speech, a film, a poem or a song title into the translator. Keep it short, since long quotes take a long time to send. One of the best known real Morse messages is "What hath God wrought", the first message sent on Samuel Morse's telegraph line in 1844 (see Samuel Morse).

Special characters

Letters and numbers are covered on the alphabet and numbers pages. International Morse code also has codes for the full stop, comma, question mark, apostrophe, slash, brackets, colon, equals sign, plus, minus, quotation mark, at sign and more. The apostrophe, as in "T's" or "she's", is .----..

Short forms, goodnight and other quick messages

Texting shortcuts follow the same letter rule: "ILY" or "I L Y" is .. .-.. -.--. "Goodnight" as one word is --. --- --- -.. -. .. --. .... -. "See you tomorrow" is the three words SEE, YOU and TOMORROW with slashes between them. "My name" or just "my" in Morse code works the same way: type MY, or MY NAME. "Te amo" (Spanish for I love you), "I hate u" and "easy Morse code sentence" ideas such as "Come here" or "All is well" are all just spelled out. To communicate in Morse code in daily life, keep sentences short and agree a speed with the other person. An "ABC" or "ABCs" in Morse code is the alphabet from A to Z; the full chart is on the alphabet page. The letter B is -... and the letter P is .--.. If you saw "dit's partner" in a crossword, the answer is dah, the long sound that goes with the short "dit". And "six seven" is ... .. -..- / ... . ...- . -. if spelled as words, or -.... --... as the numerals 6 and 7. You can also play "Never gonna give you up" or any song title through the translator the same way.

Try to decode a message

Here are three short messages to decode. Use the chart or the decoder, then open each answer to check.

1. -.-. --- -- . / .... . .-. .
2. .-- .... .- - / .. ... / - .... .. ...
3. ... . . / -.-- --- ..- / .- - / -. --- --- -.

Show the answers

1. COME HERE. 2. WHAT IS THIS. 3. SEE YOU AT NOON.

Words used to end or hold a message

Radio operators use short signals called prosigns, sent as one unbroken run of dots and dashes, to run a conversation. The signal that ends a message is AR, .-.-.. The signal that ends a whole conversation is SK, ...-.-, and K, -.-, means "over, go ahead". To send one from the translator, put it in angle brackets, like <AR>. The full list is on the alphabet page.

Other names for Morse code

If you are looking for another word for Morse code, these are all used:

• International Morse code, the standard form used worldwide today.
• CW, short for continuous wave, the radio operators' name for sending Morse code by switching a signal on and off.
• Radiotelegraphy and telegraph code, the older names from when it was sent by wire and radio.
• Dots and dashes, or dits and dahs when spoken aloud.

Morse code in a sentence: "The pilot sent his name in Morse code with a flashing light," or "She learned Morse code so she could talk to people all over the world on the radio." For the history behind it, see what is Morse code and Samuel Morse.

Frequently asked questions

Related guides

• Hello in Morse codeThe code, the rhythm and how to send it..... . .-.. .-.. ---
• Hi in Morse codeHi, hey and how are you..... ..
• Help in Morse codeHelp and help me, and what to send in a real emergency..... . .-.. .--.
• Yes in Morse codeYes, and the quick answers that go with it.-.-- . ...
• No in Morse codeNo, and the quick answers that go with it.-. ---
• I love you in Morse codeThe phrase, ILY, and tap or blink versions... .-.. -.--
• SOS in Morse codeMeaning, sound, history and how to signal it....---...
• Morse code alphabetEvery letter, number and symbol, with sound..-