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MorseBeep

Morse Code Words and Phrases

The words people look up most in Morse code, from SOS (... --- ...) and HELP (.... . .-.. .--.) to I LOVE YOU. Play any of them as sound or flashing light, and see what each one means.

Speed, tone and volume

Speed is in words per minute using the standard word PARIS (one dot lasts 1200 ÷ WPM milliseconds). Farnsworth spacing keeps each letter at full speed and adds longer gaps between letters and words, which is easier for learners. Set it equal to the speed to switch it off.

The Flash buttons fill the screen with rapidly flashing light. Skip them if flashing lights affect you or anyone watching.

Help and emergencies

The signals people look up most. In a real emergency, call your local emergency number first if you can.

SOS in Morse code

... --- ...

The international distress signal: three dots, three dashes, three dots. It was adopted at the International Radiotelegraph Convention in Berlin in 1906 and came into force in 1908. It was chosen because it is easy to send and hard to mistake, not because the letters stand for anything; "save our souls" came later. Operators send it as one unbroken signal, ...---..., without the gaps between the letters. It works as light and sound too: three short, three long, three short.

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HELP in Morse code

.... . .-.. .--.

The word spelled out letter by letter. It is not a special signal, so SOS is shorter and far more widely recognised if you ever need to signal for help.

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HELP ME in Morse code

.... . .-.. .--. / -- .

Two words, so there is a longer gap (seven units) between HELP and ME. A slash marks that gap when it is written down.

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MAYDAY in Morse code

-- .- -.-- -.. .- -.--

Mayday is the distress call spoken on voice radio, from the French "m'aider" (help me). It is normally said three times. In Morse code the distress signal is SOS, but you can still spell MAYDAY out, as here.

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Love and friendship

Popular for bracelets, tattoos, cards and secret messages.

I LOVE YOU in Morse code

.. / .-.. --- ...- . / -.-- --- ..-

Three words: I is two dots, and the slashes mark the gaps between the words. A favourite for jewellery and hidden notes.

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LOVE in Morse code

.-.. --- ...- .

Four letters, often used on bracelets and rings because it is short and balanced.

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I MISS YOU in Morse code

.. / -- .. ... ... / -.-- --- ..-

Spelled out word by word. The double S in MISS is two groups of three dots, with a letter gap between them.

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88 in Morse code

---.. ---..

Radio amateur shorthand for "love and kisses". Operators sign off to family and close friends with it.

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Everyday words

Short words that are easy to learn and fun to tap on a table.

HELLO in Morse code

.... . .-.. .-.. ---

Five letters, with the double L in the middle. On the radio, operators usually say hello with GM, GA or GE instead.

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HI in Morse code

.... ..

Four dots and then two dots: one of the easiest words to send and recognise.

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YES in Morse code

-.-- . ...

Y, E and S. Radio operators often send just C, short for "correct", to mean yes.

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NO in Morse code

-. ---

Just N and O: dash dot, then three dashes.

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OK in Morse code

--- -.-

O and K. K on its own also means "go ahead" on the radio.

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THANK YOU in Morse code

- .... .- -. -.- / -.-- --- ..-

Two words. On the radio this is usually shortened to TU or TNX.

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GOODBYE in Morse code

--. --- --- -.. -... -.-- .

One word. Radio operators say goodbye with 73 (best regards) and end the contact with the prosign SK.

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GOOD NIGHT in Morse code

--. --- --- -.. / -. .. --. .... -

Two words. The radio shorthand is GN.

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY in Morse code

.... .- .--. .--. -.-- / -... .. .-. - .... -.. .- -.--

A long one, often used for birthday cards and sound messages. Make it into a sound file you can send with the audio link below.

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Radio shorthand

Abbreviations that Morse operators use every day to keep messages short.

CQ in Morse code

-.-. --.-

A general call to any station, asking who is listening. A typical call is CQ CQ CQ DE followed by the caller's callsign.

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DE in Morse code

-.. .

From. It goes between two callsigns: first the station being called, then DE, then the caller.

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73 in Morse code

--... ...--

Best regards. The usual friendly sign off at the end of a contact.

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R in Morse code

.-.

Received: the message came through. It does not mean "yes".

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SK in Morse code

...-.-

End of contact, sent as one signal (...-.-) with no gap between the S and K.

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Make your own

Any word or sentence works the same way: each letter becomes its code, with a short gap between letters and a longer gap between words. Type yours into the Morse code translator, look up single letters in the Morse code alphabet, or download it as a sound with the Morse code generator.

Frequently asked questions

How do you send SOS with a flashlight?

Three short flashes, three long flashes, three short flashes, then a pause and repeat. Make the long flashes about three times as long as the short ones. Press Flash next to SOS above, with Repeat switched on in the settings, to turn your screen into an SOS light.

How do you tap Morse code?

On a screen, a button or a torch switch, a quick press is a dot and a press about three times as long is a dash, with a clear pause between letters. Knocking on a wall or a table can only make short sounds, so knocked messages usually use the tap code instead, a different system that spells letters from a grid.

What is the difference between SOS and Mayday?

SOS (...---...) is the distress signal in Morse code, while Mayday is the distress call spoken on voice radio. Both mean a ship, aircraft or person is in grave danger and needs help now.

Can I get any word in Morse code?

Yes. Type any word or sentence into the Morse code translator to see and hear it, or use the audio generator to download it as a sound file.