Learn Morse Code

There's More Than One Code

The first thing to know about Morse code is that it's not one single code. There are at least two forms of the language that survive to the present day.

Initially, Morse code transmitted short and long signals that formed numbers that represented words. The "dots" and "dashes" of Morse code referred to the indentations made in paper to record the long and short signals. Because using numbers to code for letters required a dictionary, the code evolved to include letters and punctuation. Over time, the paper tape was replaced by operators who could decipher the code simply by listening to it.

But, the code wasn't universal. Americans used American Morse Code. Europeans used Continental Morse code. In 1912, International Morse code was developed so people from different countries could understand each other's messages. Both American and International Morse code are still in use. 

Learn the Language

Learning Morse code is like learning any language. A good starting point is to view or print a chart of the numbers and letters. The numbers are logical and easy to grasp, so if you find the alphabet intimidating, start with them.

Note that each symbol consists of dots and dashes. These are also known as "dits" and "dahs." A dash or dah lasts three times as long as a dot or dit. A brief interval of silence separates letters and numbers in a message. This interval varies:

• The gap between dots and dashes within a character is one dot (one unit) long.
• The gap between letters is three units long.
• The gap between words is seven units long.

Listen to the code to get a feel for how it sounds. Start by following along with the alphabet A to Z slowly. Practice sending and receiving messages.

Now, listen to messages at a realistic speed. A fun way to do this is to write your own messages and listen to them. You can even download the sound files to send to friends. Get a friend to send you messages. Otherwise, test yourself using practice files. Check your translation using an online Morse code translator. As you become more proficient with Morse code, you should learn the code for punctuation and special characters.

As with any language, you have to practice! Most experts recommend practicing at least ten minutes a day.

Tips for Success

Are you having trouble learning the code? Some people memorize the code from beginning to end, but it's often easier to learn the letters by remembering their properties.

• Some letters are the reverse of each other. A is the reverse of N, for example.
• The letters T and E each have codes that are one symbol long.
• The letters A, I, M, and N consist of 2 symbol codes.
• The letters D, G, K, O, R, S, U, W consist of 3 symbol codes.
• The letters B, C, F, H, J, L, P, Q, V, X, Y, Z consist of codes that have four characters.

If you find you simply can't master the entire code, you should still learn one important phrase in Morse code: SOS. Three dots, three dashes, and three dots has been a worldwide standard distress call since 1906. The "save our souls" signal may be tapped out or signaled with lights during an emergency.

Fun Fact: The name of the company hosting these instructions, Dotdash, gets its name from the Morse code symbol for the letter "A." This is a nod to Dotdash's predecessor, About.com.