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Decode Morse Code to Readable Text Decode Morse code (dots and dashes) back to readable text.

Morse Code Decoder illustration
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Morse Code Decoder

Decode Morse code (dots and dashes) back to readable text.

1

Paste Morse Code

Enter Morse code with spaces between letters and / between words.

2

View Decoded Text

The tool converts Morse code patterns to text characters.

3

Copy Text

Copy the decoded text.

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What Is Morse Code Decoder?

A Morse code decoder converts Morse code (dots and dashes) back into human-readable text, recognizing all International Morse Code patterns for letters, numbers, and punctuation. Developers and communication engineers use it to decode messages transmitted over telegraph or radio systems. One specific problem it solves is deciphering morse code sequences that are separated by inconsistent spacing, as it can handle both double spaces and slash (/) characters to identify word boundaries.

This tool stands out due to its ability to accurately map morse code patterns to their corresponding text equivalents using a predefined dictionary, such as the MORSE_TO_CHAR record. It contains 64 mappings, including letters, numbers, and special characters like periods, commas, and question marks. When an unknown pattern is encountered, it replaces it with "?" to indicate unrecognized codes.

The tool's input processing function splits the morse code string into words based on double spaces or slash (/) characters, then further divides each word into individual morse code sequences separated by single spaces. It uses these sequences to look up their corresponding text equivalents in the dictionary, effectively decoding morse code to english text. By using this approach, it provides a reliable way to decode morse code online, making it easier for users to translate morse code to text and understand the original message.

Why Use Morse Code Decoder?

  • Decode full International Morse Code alphabet
  • Handles various word separator formats
  • Unknown codes shown as "?" for clarity
  • Inverse of Morse Code Encoder
  • Instant in-browser decoding with no server upload

Common Use Cases

Decode Messages

Convert received Morse code messages back to readable text.

Puzzle Solving

Escape rooms, geocaching challenges, and puzzle games often hide clues in Morse code that need quick decoding.

Amateur Radio

Ham radio operators can verify CW (Morse) transmissions by pasting the dot-dash patterns into this decoder.

Education

Practice reading Morse code by encoding text and then verifying with this decoder.

Technical Guide

The decoder uses a reverse lookup table mapping Morse code patterns to characters. Input is split on word separators (double spaces, /, or |) to identify word boundaries, then each word is split on single spaces to get individual character codes. Each code is looked up in the reverse mapping table, with unrecognized patterns replaced by "?". The decoder handles various input formats: ".... . .-.. .-.. ---" (space-separated), and ".... . .-.. .-.. --- / .-- --- .-. .-.. -.." (slash word separator).

Tips & Best Practices

  • 1
    Separate letters with single spaces, words with double spaces or /
  • 2
    Unknown codes appear as "?" — check for typos in the Morse input
  • 3
    Use the Morse Code Encoder to create Morse, then verify with this decoder
  • 4
    ··· ——— ··· (SOS) is the most important Morse code to recognize
  • 5
    Dots (·) and periods (.) are interchangeable; dashes (—) and hyphens (-) are too

Related Tools

Frequently Asked Questions

Q How should I format the input?
Separate letters with spaces and words with double spaces or /. Example: ".... . .-.. .-.. --- / .-- --- .-. .-.. -..".
Q What does "?" mean in the output?
A "?" indicates an unrecognized Morse code pattern. Check for typos or unsupported characters in your input.
Q Can I use periods and hyphens instead of dots and dashes?
Yes, periods (.) work as dots and hyphens (-) work as dashes.
Q Does it decode numbers?
Yes, all number codes (0-9) are supported. For example, "----." decodes to "9".
Q Is this the opposite of Morse Code Encoder?
Yes, the encoder converts text to Morse and the decoder converts Morse back to text.

About This Tool

Morse Code Decoder is a free online tool by FreeToolkit.ai. All processing happens directly in your browser — your data never leaves your device. No registration or installation required.