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Tap = dot (·) Hold = dash (−) Release + pause = letter space Long pause = word space
Press SPACEBAR or tap the key
Letter History
Start tapping to see decoded letters here…
Virtual Telegraph
Tap for dots · Hold for dashes · Real-time decoding with audio feedback
Tap = dot (·) Hold = dash (−) Release + pause = letter space Long pause = word space
Press SPACEBAR or tap the key
Start tapping to see decoded letters here…
Our free Morse code keyboard — also called a CW practice key, Morse trainer, Morse keyer, Morse beeper or Morse tapper — lets you type in Morse code the authentic way. Short tap for a dot, long press for a dash. It works on desktop (spacebar or mouse click) and mobile (touch screen), so you can practice anywhere. Each tap produces a real 600Hz tone using the Web Audio API, identical to the sound of a genuine telegraph key.
This keyboard Morse code tool decodes your tapping in real time and adapts to your selected WPM. Letters commit after a short pause, words after a longer pause — just like a real CW operator on the air. The visual signal display shows each dot and dash as it is entered, and the history panel records every decoded letter with its timestamp.
On desktop: Press and hold the spacebar — short = dot, long = dash. Release and wait briefly for the letter to be decoded. You can also click and hold the circular telegraph key on screen.
On mobile: Short tap = dot, long press = dash. The timing bar fills up as you hold — let go while it is still blue for a dot, or wait until it turns orange for a dash.
Word spacing: Use the Word Space button between words, or simply pause longer than a letter gap — the keyboard automatically inserts a space.
Learning Morse code on keyboard is the fastest path to genuine fluency. Tapping builds the motor memory that lets you send messages automatically. Most ham radio CW operators recommend a minimum of 5 minutes of daily key practice to build speed.
Start by tapping your own name with our Name in Morse tool. Then try the Morse Code Game in audio mode to test decoding, browse the Morse Dictionary, or follow the structured CW Academy path. Memorise the famous SOS signal and the full Alphabet A–Z.
Every element in Morse code is built from a single time unit. A dot lasts exactly 1 unit, and a dash lasts exactly 3 units — that 1:3 ratio is the foundation of all CW timing. The gap between symbols within the same letter is 1 unit. The gap between letters is 3 units. The gap between words is 7 units. Miss any of these and your receiving station — human or machine — will mis-decode your transmission.
This keyboard visualises that ratio in real time. While you hold the key, the blue timing bar fills up toward the dot threshold (1.5× unit). Keep holding and it turns amber — that is your dash zone (3× unit). The bar turns red if you hold too long. Watching the bar as you tap is one of the fastest ways to internalise correct Morse timing.
Words per minute in Morse code is measured using the reference word PARIS (·−−· ·− ·−· ·· ···). PARIS contains exactly 50 dots' worth of timing, making it the international benchmark. At 15 WPM the unit length is 1200 ÷ 15 = 80 ms, so a dot lasts 80 ms and a dash 240 ms. At 5 WPM a unit is 240 ms — slow enough for absolute beginners to follow each symbol. The WPM selector above adjusts all timing thresholds automatically so the keyboard always matches your chosen speed.
One practical note: 5–10 WPM feels very slow when you read the label, but most beginners discover they cannot send clean dashes at even 10 WPM without practice. Start at 5 WPM, focus on clean dots and dashes first, then move up the speed ladder one step at a time.
The Farnsworth method, developed by Don Farnsworth (W6TTB), sends individual characters at a fast rate — typically 20–25 WPM — but inserts extra-long gaps between letters and words so the overall message speed stays low. A beginner can set overall speed to 5 WPM while characters sound at 20 WPM. This sounds counterintuitive, but it is the most effective learning method available.
The reason it works is brain wiring. If you learn Morse at 5 WPM character speed, you will hear a slow "dit… dah… dit" and consciously count symbols. When you try to speed up later, that counting habit becomes the bottleneck. Farnsworth forces you to hear each letter as a single sound pattern from day one — the same way you recognise spoken letters without sounding them out. To enable it, tick the Farnsworth Mode checkbox above and choose a character speed at least 5 WPM faster than your word speed.
Holding too long on dashes. Beginners often over-hold dashes out of uncertainty, producing dashes 5–8× longer than a dot. The red too-long indicator on the timing bar flags this immediately. Aim for exactly 3× your average dot duration.
Not pausing between letters. Rushing straight from one letter into the next is the most common mistake. The keyboard uses a two-phase commit timer: a short intra-character gap (to collect all symbols of one letter) followed by a longer letter gap. If you rush, symbols from two different letters merge into one unrecognised code. The history panel is your feedback — if you see question marks or garbled letters, slow your inter-letter pauses first.
Inconsistent dot duration. Your dots should all sound the same length. The accuracy stats bar at the bottom shows your average dot and dash duration in milliseconds. A wide spread between your fastest and slowest dot means your timing is drifting — slow down and focus on consistency before speed.
Skipping word spaces. Many beginners forget that words need a 7-unit gap — more than twice the letter gap. Use the Word Space button between words until your natural pausing instinct develops.
Consistency matters more than session length. Five focused minutes daily beats one hour on the weekend.
Week 1 — The Core Five: Master E (·), T (−), A (·−), I (··), and N (−·). These five letters appear in almost every common English word. Set WPM to 5, enable Farnsworth at 20 WPM character speed, and tap each letter 20 times while listening to the tone. Say the letter aloud as you tap.
Week 2 — Build to 12 Letters: Add S (···), O (−−−), M (−−), R (·−·), and H (····). Now you can tap SOS, MORSE, and SHORT. Focus on letter gaps — the history panel should show clean individual letters, never merged unknowns.
Week 3 — Complete the Alphabet: Add the remaining letters in groups of 3–4 per day. Test yourself with the Morse Game in send mode. Use the Quick Reference chart below to check codes without looking them up elsewhere.
Week 4 — Speed Drills: Move from 5 WPM to 10 WPM. Tap common short words: THE, AND, FOR, ARE, BUT. Run the Play Back feature after each session to hear how your sending sounds to a receiver. Aim for zero question marks in the history log.
A straight key is the simplest CW input: one lever, one contact, identical to this virtual keyboard. It is the best starting point for beginners because there is no electronics to learn — just timing. Our spacebar and touch key simulate a straight key faithfully.
A semi-automatic bug key produces dots automatically when you push the lever sideways and dashes manually when you push forward. It speeds up sending but requires a keyer circuit and is not suitable for beginners.
An iambic paddle has two levers — one for dots, one for dashes — connected to an electronic keyer that generates perfect timing automatically. Most licensed ham radio operators above 20 WPM use an iambic paddle. It cannot be simulated with a single keyboard key, so dedicated hardware or specialised software is required.
For learning Morse code from scratch, a straight key or this virtual keyboard is the correct tool. The muscle memory you build here transfers directly to a physical straight key. Once you can send at 13–15 WPM cleanly, consider investing in a real key and an entry-level transceiver to get on the air.
On desktop, the keyboard is fully operable without touching the mouse. Spacebar is the primary key — press and hold to send a symbol, release to record it. The Enter key is a secondary alias for the same action, useful if your spacebar is awkward. All button actions (Word Space, Delete, Play Back, Clear) can be reached by tabbing to them with the Tab key and pressing Enter. The timing bar, decoded text, and letter history all update live via ARIA live regions so screen reader users receive the same real-time feedback.
What is a Morse code keyboard?
A Morse code keyboard is an input device where short and long presses produce dots and dashes. Our virtual version works in any browser — no hardware needed.
Can I use a real telegraph key with this?
If your key connects via USB as a HID device, it may work as a keyboard input — press the spacebar mapping. Physical iambic paddles typically need dedicated CW software for full functionality.
How long does it take to learn to type in Morse code?
Most beginners can tap simple words after 1–2 weeks of daily practice. Smooth, fast sending at 13+ WPM takes several months of consistent training.
What WPM speed do ham radio exams require?
Since 2007 the FCC no longer requires a Morse code test for any US amateur radio licence. Many other countries followed. However, operating on the CW (Morse) portions of HF bands still requires you to send and receive reliably — most operators aim for 13–20 WPM before their first on-air contact.
What does CW stand for?
CW stands for Continuous Wave — the type of radio transmission used to send Morse code. A CW signal is an unmodulated carrier that is switched on for dots and dashes and off for gaps. The term CW operator refers to anyone who uses Morse code on the radio.
Is Morse code still used today?
Yes. Morse code remains active in amateur (ham) radio, aviation navigation beacons (VOR identifiers), military communications in some countries, and accessibility tools for people with motor impairments. It is also transmitted every year by thousands of ham radio operators in contests like CQ WW CW and the ARRL Sweepstakes.
What frequency does this keyboard use for the audio tone?
The keyboard generates a 600 Hz sine wave using the Web Audio API — the same pitch used by most CW practice oscillators and many real transceivers. 600 Hz sits comfortably in the middle of the human hearing range and cuts through background noise better than higher or lower pitches.
What is adaptive threshold mode?
After you send at least 10 symbols, the keyboard analyses your personal dot and dash durations and recalibrates the dot–dash boundary to sit exactly between your average dot and average dash. This means the keyboard adapts to your tapping style rather than forcing you to match a fixed threshold — a significant advantage for beginners whose timing is still developing.
Why does the history panel sometimes show a question mark?
A question mark appears when the dot-dash sequence you tapped does not match any character in the ITU Morse alphabet. The most common cause is an accidental extra dot or a missed symbol — for example, tapping ·−· (R) but accidentally adding a dot to get ·−·· (L). Use the Delete button to remove the last symbol before the letter commits, or Clear All to start fresh.
Can I use this on mobile without Wi-Fi?
Yes. The keyboard registers as a Progressive Web App (PWA) via a service worker. After your first visit the core app caches locally and works fully offline — audio, decoding, history, and all controls. Add it to your home screen from your browser's share menu for instant access without opening a browser tab.