Audio you can actually tune
Most Morse tools play a single fixed beep. This one gives you real control over the sound, because the right tone makes a huge difference when you are learning or demonstrating. Three sliders sit right under the translator — Speed, Pitch, and Volume — and the Configure panel adds Farnsworth spacing, sound type, and more.
Speed (5–60 WPM)
Speed is measured in words per minute using the standard word PARIS, which is exactly 50 dot-units long. At 20 WPM a single dot lasts 60 milliseconds; at 5 WPM it stretches to 240 ms, and at 60 WPM it shrinks to 20 ms — a true machine-gun tempo. Start slow and raise the speed as your ear catches up.
Pitch (300–800 Hz)
Pitch sets the frequency of the tone. Lower frequencies sound like a deep rumble; higher ones are sharp and cut through background noise. 600 Hz is a comfortable middle ground that most operators favour. Every tone has a 5-millisecond fade in and out so you never hear an unpleasant click at the edges.
Farnsworth spacing
The single best feature for learners. Farnsworth timing keeps each character at full speed — so your ear learns the real rhythm — while stretching the gaps between letters and words to give you thinking time. Set the character speed to 18–20 WPM and the Farnsworth speed to 8–10 WPM, and you get crisp characters with comfortable spacing.
CW tone vs telegraph sounder
In the Configure panel you can switch between a clean CW sine wave — the sound of amateur radio — and a telegraph sounder that recreates the clicky, mechanical clatter of a nineteenth-century landline key. The sounder adds a sharper attack and a touch of filtered noise for an authentically vintage feel.
See and feel the signal too
Audio is only part of it. Turn on the Light toggle and the whole screen flashes in time with the code — short for dots, long for dashes. On a phone, the Vibrate toggle taps out the same pattern through the haptic motor. Together they make the code accessible to people who cannot rely on sound, and they make for a striking demonstration of how the same message can travel as tone, light, or touch.
Ready to learn the patterns behind the sound? Start with the beginner's guide or the interactive alphabet.
Frequently asked questions
How does the audio Morse code translator work?
The translator uses your browser's Web Audio API to generate the tones in real time — nothing is downloaded or streamed from a server. It builds an oscillator for each dot and dash at your chosen pitch, with precise timing based on the words-per-minute you set, and a short fade on each tone to prevent clicking.
What pitch and speed should I use?
A pitch of 600 Hz and a speed of 20 WPM are comfortable defaults for most people. For learning, keep the character speed at 18–20 WPM but lower the Farnsworth spacing to give yourself more time between letters. For a deeper or higher tone, drag the pitch slider anywhere from 300 to 800 Hz.
What is the difference between CW tone and telegraph sounder?
CW (continuous wave) is the clean sine-wave beep you hear on amateur radio. The telegraph sounder simulates the clicky, mechanical sound of an old landline telegraph key, with a sharper attack and a noisier timbre. Switch between them in the Configure panel.
Can I download the Morse audio as a file?
Yes. The translator renders the full sequence offline and exports a WAV file you can play in any media player or import into video and audio editors. Open the Share menu and choose "Download audio".
Try the translator
Convert text and Morse code instantly, with audio playback, light flash, and adjustable speed.
Open the Morse Code Translator