What Is Morse Code? A Plain-English Guide

Morse code represents letters, numbers, and punctuation as sequences of two symbols — a short signal (a dot) and a long one (a dash). Because it needs only "on" and "off", you can send it as sound, as light, or as a tap.

Features

• Only two symbols: the dot and the dash
• Sendable as sound, light, or touch
• A full International Morse Code chart in the app

The dot and the dash

Every character is a small pattern of dots and dashes. E is a single dot (·). T is a single dash (—). More common letters were given shorter patterns so ordinary text is quick to send.

Timing is everything

The rhythm carries the meaning. A dash is three times as long as a dot. The gap between parts of the same letter is one dot long, the gap between letters is three, and the gap between words is seven. Get the timing right and the same flashes are easy to read back.

Sending it as light

Because Morse is just on and off, a flashlight works perfectly: a short flash is a dot, a long flash is a dash. That is exactly what MorseLight does — it turns your phone’s torch into a Morse transmitter and its camera into a reader.

A short history

Morse code grew out of the electric telegraph in the 1830s and 1840s. The international version used today standardized the letter patterns and went on to power radio, maritime, and aviation communication for over a century.

Frequently asked questions