Light · Flashes → Text
Morse Code Light Decoder
A Morse code light decoder is a tool that turns flashes of light into Morse code and text. Watch the light and hold the button for as long as it stays on; the decoder measures each flash and each dark gap and writes the letters.
Point your eyes at the light — a ship lamp, a torch, a car, or the practice lamp. Hold the button (or Space) for as long as the light stays on.
Log the light with a stopwatch app or a video frame counter. Separate numbers with spaces, commas or new lines. Prefix with “off” if the first value is darkness.
—
—
- Unit
- —
- Speed
- —
- Short flashes
- 0
- Long flashes
- 0
Short flashes appear pale yellow and long flashes gold. Hold Space instead of the button if you prefer.
You can also paste a list of on-off durations from a stopwatch or video, and practise with a built-in lamp that flashes a mystery word for you to decode.
01
What Is a Morse Code Light Decoder?
A Morse code light decoder is a timer that classifies each flash as a dot or a dash by its length. Flashes about 3 times longer than the shortest flash are dashes, and long dark gaps mark the end of a letter or a word.
You act as the light sensor: your eyes see the light and your finger copies its rhythm. The decoder does the counting so you can keep watching.
Flashes to watch for
Pick a word and watch the lamp. Long gold bars are dashes.
- Units
- 0
- Signal on
- 0%
- Duration
- 0 s
02
How to Read a Blinking Light
To read a blinking light, hold the button for exactly as long as the light is on and release it when the light goes dark. Do not try to judge dots and dashes yourself — just mirror the light.
After about 3 flashes, the decoder learns the sender's speed and starts separating letters. Watch the Morse line to check each letter as it forms.
Copying a signal lamp
Find the light
Look straight at the lamp and keep it in the centre of your view.
03
Reading Morse Code Flash Lengths
Morse code light uses 2 flash lengths and 3 gap lengths: a short flash of 1 unit, a long flash of 3 units, and dark gaps of 1, 3 and 7 units. Ship lamps usually send at 6–10 WPM, so a short flash lasts about 120–200 ms.
When you log a light with a stopwatch, paste the durations into Paste timings, starting with the first flash.
Flash and gap lengths
Signal lamps are slow. Move the slider to 6–10 WPM to see typical ship timings.
- Short flash 0 ms
- Long flash 0 ms
- Dark inside letter 0 ms
- Dark between letters 0 ms
- Dark between words 0 ms
04
Where You'll See Morse Code Light Signals
Morse code light signals appear in naval signalling, maritime emergencies, aviation, film and puzzles. Warships still train signalmen on Aldis lamps, and some lighthouses and buoys flash a Morse letter as their identity.
For a light in a video or one you can film, the camera scanner and video translator can read the flashes for you.
4 places Morse light is used
Signal lamps let warships talk without radio, so enemies cannot detect the transmission.
Navigation marks marked “Mo (A)” on charts flash the Morse letter A (·−) as their identity.
Hikers and sailors flash SOS with torches, phone screens and headlights to show their position.
Blinking lights hide clues in films, escape rooms and video games. Copy them here to solve them.
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 Camera Scanner Point your camera at a blinking light and read it live. 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 decode Morse code from a flashing light?
To decode Morse code from a flashing light, hold the button while the light is on and release it when the light goes off. The decoder turns your presses into dots, dashes and letters.
How can I practise reading Morse code light?
Press Flash a mystery word and copy the practice lamp. The decoder tells you when your copy matches the hidden word, or press Reveal to see it.
Can I decode light from a recorded video?
Yes, use the Morse code video translator, which measures the brightness of the light frame by frame. This light decoder is for lights you watch and copy by hand.
What does “Mo (A)” mean on a nautical chart?
“Mo (A)” means the light flashes the Morse letter A: a short flash followed by a long flash (·−), repeated. It is commonly used for safe-water marks.
How fast do ships send Morse code by light?
Ships usually send light signals at 6–10 WPM, much slower than radio, because lamps need time to switch and receivers read by eye.
What are paste timings for?
Paste timings decodes a list of flash and gap lengths in milliseconds. Use it when you have measured a light with a stopwatch or by counting video frames.