Learn Morse code

How timing works

Timing is built on a single unit. The dit is one unit long; a dah is three units. The gap between parts of a letter is one unit; between letters, three units; between words, seven units.

dit = 1  ·  dah = 3  ·  gap in a letter = 1  ·  gap between letters = 3  ·  gap between words = 7

Speed is measured in words per minute (WPM), calibrated on the word PARIS (which is exactly 50 units long). Farnsworth timing keeps the characters themselves fast but stretches the gaps between them — it helps beginners learn at speed without slowing the letters down. Try the WPM slider and Farnsworth toggle in the translator.

SOS & prosigns

The distress signal SOS — — was chosen because it’s simple and unmistakable, sent as one run-together group. It does not stand for “Save Our Souls”; that’s a later backronym.

Prosigns are procedural signals sent as a single character. Common ones: AR (end of message), SK (end of contact), KN (go ahead, specific station) and BT (new paragraph). You’ll find them, and SOS, in the Prosigns & SOS group of the reference table above.

How to learn it fast

The proven approach is the Koch method: start at your target speed with just two characters, and add one more only once you’re reliably getting the current set right. Because you always hear characters at full speed, you learn the sound of each letter rather than counting dots and dashes.

Pair it with Farnsworth spacing (fast characters, wider gaps) so you have time to recognise each letter, and practise in short, frequent sessions. Chase streaks, not perfection.