At a glance
| Input | Text, or Morse written with dots and dashes |
|---|---|
| Output | The translation either way, and audible tones |
| Speed | 5 to 40 words per minute, default 18 |
| Where it runs | Entirely in your browser — no file is uploaded to a server |
| Price | Free, with no account and no sign-up |
| Offline | Works with no connection after the first visit |
The timing is the code
Morse is defined by relative duration, not by dots and dashes on a page. A dash is three dots long, the gap inside a letter is one dot, between letters three, between words seven. Get the ratios right at any speed and it is readable; get them wrong at any speed and it is not.
Which is why the audio here matters more than the text. Learning from written dots and dashes teaches you to decode shapes, and every experienced operator will tell you that is a habit you then have to unlearn.
What SOS actually is
Not an abbreviation. It was chosen in 1906 because ... --- ... is unmistakable and hard to garble — "Save Our Souls" was invented afterwards. It is properly sent as one unbroken sequence with no letter gaps.
Where it is still used
Aviation and marine navigation beacons still identify themselves in Morse, and amateur radio operators use it because a signal narrow enough to be sent by hand gets through when voice cannot. It is also, occasionally, an accessibility input method — two switches and timing are enough to type.
Frequently asked questions
Does SOS stand for anything?
No. It was picked in 1906 because the pattern is unmistakable. The "Save Our Souls" expansion came later.
Can I hear it rather than read it?
Yes, and it is the better way to learn — Morse is defined by timing, and learning from written symbols builds a habit you later have to break.
Is Morse still used?
Yes. Navigation beacons identify themselves in it, amateur radio relies on it because a narrow signal carries further, and it serves as an accessibility input method.
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