Learn Morse Code, a Beginner's Guide

Here's the mistake almost everyone makes on day one, staring at a chart and trying to memorise rows of dots and dashes. Don't. Learn the sounds, not the pictures. Say di-DAH out loud for A. Say di-di-dit for S. Get the rhythms into your ear first, and the chart becomes a backup you barely need.

Timing rules (ITU standard)

Dot length in milliseconds follows 1200 ÷ WPM. At 20 WPM, the standard word PARIS equals fifty timing units.

Farnsworth spacing

Farnsworth keeps each letter at full speed but lengthens the gaps between letters. Your ear learns letter shapes at real speed instead of slow, distorted ones. Use the Learn preset on the translator (20 WPM characters, 10 WPM gaps).

The Koch method

Learn two letters at a time at full speed, adding a new letter only when you copy the first ones at 90% accuracy. It is slower to start and much faster overall than counting dots and dashes. Our trainer lets you practise the same way. Listen, type what you hear, and repeat.

A 15 minute daily routine

1. Listen to 5 letters on the alphabet page and repeat their rhythms out loud.
2. Do 10 rounds on the trainer.
3. Decode one phrase from the phrases page by ear.
4. Send your own name in Morse with the translator.

Most learners copy common letters comfortably within 2–4 weeks of daily practice.