Morse Code

About Morse code

Morse code is not a spoken language but a way of sending letters and numbers as short and long signals, called dots and dashes. It was developed in the United States in the 1830s and 1840s by Samuel Morse and Alfred Vail for the electric telegraph. The version used today, International Morse Code, can be sent as sound, light or taps and is still used by amateur radio operators. The guides here spell English words and names letter by letter.

Timing is what makes Morse readable. A dash lasts three times as long as a dot, the gap between letters is as long as a dash and the gap between words lasts seven dots. The best-known signal is SOS, three dots, three dashes and three dots (... --- ...), sent as one signal with no gaps between the letters.

Typecode for letters, numbers and punctuation
Created1830s and 1840s, by Samuel Morse and Alfred Vail
StandardInternational Morse Code
Timingdash = 3 dots, gap between letters = 3 dots, gap between words = 7 dots

Standard: ITU-R Recommendation M.1677-1, International Morse code (2009).

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