Morse Code Translator

How to Use the Morse Code Translator

1. Text to Morse: Type your message in the TEXT field on the left, then click "Text → Morse" to convert it into dots and dashes. Letters are separated by spaces, words by forward slashes (/).
2. Morse to Text: Enter Morse code in the MORSE CODE field using dots (.), dashes (-), spaces between letters, and slashes (/) between words. Click "Morse → Text" to decode.
3. Audio Playback: Click "Play Audio" to hear the Morse code as authentic audio tones — short beeps for dots and longer tones for dashes at standard timing intervals.
4. Stop Playback: Click "Stop" to immediately halt audio playback at any point.
5. Reference Chart: Scroll down to view the complete Morse code alphabet and number reference for manual encoding or learning.

Technical Overview & Use Cases

This translator implements the International Morse Code standard (ITU-R M.1677-1) with precise timing ratios: a dot is 1 unit (80ms), a dash is 3 units, inter-element gap is 1 unit, inter-letter gap is 3 units, and inter-word gap is 7 units. Audio generation uses the Web Audio API with a 600Hz sine wave oscillator — the standard CW (Continuous Wave) frequency used in amateur radio. The AudioContext scheduler pre-computes all note timings for precise, drift-free playback regardless of JavaScript event loop latency.

Real-world use cases:

• Amateur radio (HAM): Practice encoding and decoding Morse code for CW communication on HF bands. The audio playback matches real-world transmission speeds for effective training.
• Emergency communication: Morse code remains a viable backup communication method in survival scenarios. The universal SOS signal (... --- ...) can be transmitted via flashlight, mirror, or audible taps.
• Education & puzzles: Create encoded messages for scavenger hunts, escape rooms, geocaching clues, or educational activities teaching telecommunications history and binary encoding concepts.

Privacy & Security Guarantee

This tool is part of the FAK LAB ecosystem, founded by Faizan Ahmad Khan Khichi. All Morse code translation and audio generation happens 100% client-side using your browser's JavaScript engine and Web Audio API. No text, encoded messages, or audio data is transmitted to any server. Your communications remain entirely private — ideal for encoding sensitive messages that never leave your device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this support special characters and punctuation?

The current implementation supports the international alphabet (A-Z) and numerals (0-9) as defined in the ITU standard. Characters not in the Morse code alphabet (punctuation, special symbols) are rendered as "?" in the output. The standard Morse alphabet covers the vast majority of practical communication needs.

What is the audio frequency and why 600Hz?

The audio plays at 600Hz, which is the standard sidetone frequency used in amateur radio CW practice. This frequency sits in the optimal range for human auditory perception — high enough to be distinct from background noise but low enough to be comfortable during extended listening sessions. Professional Morse operators typically train between 500-800Hz.

Can I adjust the playback speed (WPM)?

The current implementation uses a fixed 80ms dot length, which corresponds to approximately 15 words per minute (WPM) — the standard speed for Morse proficiency certification. At this rate, "PARIS" (the standard calibration word) takes exactly 4 seconds to transmit. Advanced users can modify the timing through browser developer tools for faster or slower practice.