Morse Code Translator

Morse Code Alphabet

Learn A–Z by ear. Each letter shows its code, its spoken rhythm — a dot is "dit", a dash is "dah" — a memory hint, and a button to hear it at practice speed.

A.-di-dahSay "a-PART" — short, then long.
B-...dah-di-di-dit"BOOT-camp is tough" — one long, three shorts.
C-.-.dah-di-dah-dit"CARE-less, CARE-less" — long-short, long-short.
D-..dah-di-dit"DOG-gie" plus one tap — long, short, short.
E.ditOne single dot — the shortest code of all, for the commonest letter.
F..-.di-di-dah-dit"Do it FOR me" — the long beat lands on FOR.
G--.dah-dah-dit"GREAT BIG world" — two longs, one short.
H....di-di-di-ditFour dots — like laughing "ha ha ha ha".
I..di-ditTwo quick dots — "I-tty bitty".
J.---di-dah-dah-dahOne dot, then three longs — "just GO GO GO".
K-.-dah-di-dah"KAN-ga-ROO" — the kangaroo hops long-short-long.
L.-..di-dah-di-dit"Los AN-ge-les" — the stress falls on AN.
M--dah-dahTwo solid longs — "MA-MA".
N-.dah-ditLong then short — "NA-vy". M's partner in reverse.
O---dah-dah-dahThree heavy longs — "OH MY GOD". The middle of SOS.
P.--.di-dah-dah-ditDot, two dashes, dot — a hill: up, across, across, down.
Q--.-dah-dah-di-dah"GOD SAVE the QUEEN" — the classic radio mnemonic.
R.-.di-dah-dit"re-VOL-ver" — short, long, short.
S...di-di-ditThree dots — the S of SOS, and the sound of a snake: sss.
T-dahOne single dash — E's partner, and just as common.
U..-di-di-dah"u-ni-FORM" — two shorts, then march: long.
V...-di-di-di-dahBeethoven's Fifth: dit-dit-dit-DAH. In WWII, V meant Victory.
W.--di-dah-dah"the WHITE HOUSE" — one short, two longs.
X-..-dah-di-di-dah"CROSS-ing the ROAD" — an X shape: long, short, short, long.
Y-.--dah-di-dah-dah"WHY not GO HOME" — long, short, long, long.
Z--..dah-dah-di-dit"ZIG-ZAG" plus two taps — two longs, two shorts.

A simple way to learn the alphabet

  1. Days 1–2: E, T, I, A, N, M. Six letters, and you can already decode words like TEN, MAN, TIME and MEET.
  2. Days 3–4: add S, O, R, H, L, D. Now whole sentences open up — try translating your name in the translator.
  3. Days 5–7: add U, B, C, F, G, K, P, V, W. Practise by listening, not by staring at the chart.
  4. Week 2: finish with J, Q, X, Y, Z, then move on to the numbers — they follow a counting pattern and take minutes.
  5. Keep it daily: ten minutes of listening at 15–20 WPM beats an hour once a week. Use the audio translator to drill your own word lists.

Need the whole alphabet on one printable page? Use the Morse code chart.

Alphabet questions

What is the easiest way to learn the Morse code alphabet?

Learn by sound, not by counting dots. Listen to each letter as a rhythm — for example K sounds like "dah-di-dah" — and learn 4 to 5 letters a day. Start with E, T, I, A, N and M, which unlock simple practice words immediately.

How long does it take to learn Morse code?

Most people can recognise the full alphabet within one to two weeks of 10 minutes of daily practice. Copying real messages at 15 to 20 WPM usually takes a few months of regular listening.

What do "dit" and "dah" mean?

Operators pronounce a dot as "dit" (or "di" inside a letter) and a dash as "dah". So the letter R, .-., is spoken "di-dah-dit". Thinking in these sounds is the fastest way to learn.