Vision · Camera → Text
Morse Code Camera Scanner
A Morse code camera scanner is a tool that watches a light through your camera and decodes its flashes into text, live. Start the camera, tap the picture to put the target on the light, and the message appears as the light blinks.
Point your camera at a blinking light
Tap the picture to move the target onto the light.
- Frame rate
- —
- Contrast
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- Speed
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Keep the phone still and the light inside the circle. If the state says “Too little contrast”, move closer or dim the room.
The scanner reads the brightest part of the target 30 or more times a second, adjusts to the room's lighting by itself and learns the sender's speed after a few flashes.
01
What Is a Morse Code Camera Scanner?
A Morse code camera scanner is a live light meter that turns changes in brightness into dots, dashes and letters. It measures one small target area in every video frame, decides whether the light is on or off, and times each flash and gap.
Because it only watches the target, the rest of the picture can move or change without confusing the decoder.
What happens in every frame
Capture
The camera delivers a new frame, usually 30 times per second.
02
How to Set Up a Camera Scan
A good scan needs a steady camera, the light inside the target and a clear difference between on and off. Rest your phone on something solid, frame the light, and make the target only slightly larger than the light.
The contrast figure shows the difference the scanner sees. Values above 40 decode reliably; below 18 the scanner pauses decoding.
5 steps to a reliable scan
0 / 5-
1 Steady the camera
Lean the phone on a wall or a cup. Shaking moves the light out of the target.
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2 Tap the light
Tap the picture exactly where the light is to move the target there.
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3 Size the target
Shrink the target until it just covers the light, so less background is measured.
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4 Cut the glare
Dim the room or turn away from windows to raise the contrast figure.
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5 Give it 3 flashes
The scanner learns the speed from the first few flashes, so early letters may be corrected as it goes.
03
Camera Frame Rate and Maximum Morse Speed
A camera can read Morse code up to about 0.4 × its frame rate in words per minute, because each dot needs at least 3 frames. A 30 fps camera reads up to about 12 WPM, which covers almost every light signal.
Signal lamps and torches are usually sent at 5–10 WPM, well within the limit of any phone camera.
Frame rate vs fastest readable speed
| Camera | Frame length | Fastest reliable speed |
|---|---|---|
| 15 fps (low light) | 67 ms | 6 WPM |
| 24 fps | 42 ms | 9 WPM |
| 30 fps (most phones) | 33 ms | 12 WPM |
| 60 fps | 17 ms | 24 WPM |
04
Camera Scanner vs Light Decoder vs Video Translator
Choose the camera scanner for a light in front of you, the light decoder for copying by hand, and the video translator for a recording. All three use the same timing engine, so a message reads the same in each.
The camera scanner is the only one that needs no effort while the light blinks: once it is aimed, it decodes on its own.
Which light tool to use
Live and hands-free. Best for a lamp, torch, LED or screen you can point your camera at right now.
You hold a button while the light is on. Best when you cannot film the light, or for practising by eye.
Reads a saved video frame by frame. Best for clips from films, games, social media or your own recordings.
05
More Morse Code Tools
Every tool below works the same way: give it input, get Morse code or text back. Switch tools without losing your place.
- 01 · Translate Text to Morse Code Convert any text into dots and dashes, in 4 output formats. Open tool
- 02 · Translate Morse Code to Text Decode dots, dashes, di-dahs or binary back into plain text. Open tool
- 03 · Sound Morse Code Audio Generator Turn text into a downloadable Morse code WAV file. Open tool
- 04 · Sound Morse Code Audio Decoder Upload or record beeps and read the message as text. Open tool
- 05 · Light & vision Morse Code Image Translator Read dots and dashes from a photo, or turn text into a Morse image. Open tool
- 06 · Tap & type Morse Code Tapper Tap out Morse with your finger and see it decoded live. Open tool
- 07 · Light & vision Morse Code Flashlight Flash any message with your screen or phone torch. Open tool
- 08 · Light & vision Morse Code Light Decoder Hold a button while a light is on and read the message. Open tool
- 09 · Translate Live Morse Code Translator Every key you press is sent as Morse the moment you type it. Open tool
- 10 · Tap & type Morse Code Keyboard Type with two keys — dit and dah — with live letter prediction. Open tool
- 11 · Learn Morse Code Practice Koch-method copy practice with real-speed code groups. Open tool
- 12 · Learn Morse Code Quiz Test yourself in 4 quiz modes with timers and streaks. Open tool
- 13 · Light & vision Morse Code Video Translator Decode blinking lights or beeps in a video, or make a Morse video. Open tool
- 14 · Learn Morse Code Game Race the clock in 60-second Morse Sprint rounds. Open tool
- 15 · Learn Learn Morse Code A 5-stage path from your first letter to real copy. Open tool
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I scan Morse code with my camera?
To scan Morse code with your camera, press Start camera, allow access and tap the picture where the light is. Keep the camera still; the scanner decodes the flashes into text as they happen.
Can I scan Morse code from another phone's flashlight?
Yes. Open the Morse code flashlight on a second phone, flash a message, and point this scanner's camera at it. Start at 6–8 WPM for the most reliable result.
Why does the scanner say “Too little contrast”?
The light is not much brighter than its surroundings. Move closer, shrink the target around the light, or darken the room so the flashes stand out.
Does the camera scanner work on iPhone?
Yes, the scanner works in Safari and Chrome on iPhone and on Android, laptops and tablets with a camera. Allow camera access when the browser asks.
How fast can the camera read Morse code?
A 30 fps camera reads up to about 12 WPM, and a 60 fps camera up to about 24 WPM. Each dot needs to last at least 3 video frames.
Is the camera video recorded or uploaded?
No, nothing is recorded or uploaded. The scanner reads the brightness of each frame in your browser and discards the image immediately.