How to use Morse code and the board
Pocket Morse is a free Morse decoder. Use the key to send dots (·) and dashes (−); the board shows which letter you are on.
This guide walks through the board step by step. You will find the alphabet table and short answers at the end.
Start in 30 seconds
- Open the decoder and hold the Morse key.
- Short press and release → dot (·): circle nodes light up (e.g. E).
- Longer press and release → dash (−): rectangle nodes (e.g. T).
- Pause briefly: the app saves the letter and you can start the next one.
What is Morse code
Each letter A–Z has a pattern of short signals (dot ·) and long ones (dash −).
In Pocket Morse you send that pattern with the key; the board shows if you are on track.
What you see on the board
The LED in the center is the start. Each letter node is a full Morse code. Lines are one more step—a · or − from the previous node.
You do not need to memorize the map: the board lights the path as you press.
Circles and rectangles
Shape shows the last step to that letter, not the whole code. See the G example below.
Horizontal and vertical rectangles both mean last step −. The stretch is only to read the map.
LED circle (center)
Not a letter. Lights while you hold the key. One-symbol letters (E ·, I ··, S ···, H ····) come straight from the LED.
Circles (last step: ·)
You arrived with a dot (·) from the parent. G in −−· is a circle because the last step from M was ·, even after earlier dashes.
Horizontal rectangles (last step: −)
You arrived with a dash (−) from the parent. Usually in the upper-left area of the map.
Vertical rectangles (last step: −)
Also last step −. Shown on side branches of the map.
Pauses: symbols, letters, words
- Between symbols — Release the key between · and · or between · and −. While held, you stay on the same symbol.
- Between letters — A brief release confirms the current letter and starts the next. Turn on «Show word» to see what you have typed.
- Between words — A longer pause starts a new word. If you make a mistake, wait and resend or review with «Simulate text».
Visual states
While you send code, node appearance changes.
- Idle — Unlit; not part of your current sequence yet.
- Trail — Valid prefixes (after −, T and the path from the LED light up).
- Selected — Matches your full current sequence—the letter you are forming now.
- Lines — Connect parent and child: one more · or − on the code path.
Tree example
Code −· is N: rectangle to T, circle on N. If no branch matches, the trail stops growing.
Path to G (−−·)
- LED —(−)— T (rectangle)
- T —(−)— M (rectangle)
- M —(·)— G (circle)
App features
- Morse key: short = ·, long = −; release between symbols.
- «Show word»: last decoded word on screen.
- «Simulate text»: plays an A–Z message on the board so you can see the pattern without pressing.
- «Expert mode»: simulation uses standard Morse timing (1:3 dot to dash).
- «Flash on press» (optional): torch while pressing on supported devices.
Alphabet table
International codes for letters on this board:
Letters A–Z only; numbers and punctuation are not on this board.
| Letter | Code |
|---|---|
| A | ·− |
| B | −··· |
| C | −·−· |
| D | −·· |
| E | · |
| F | ··−· |
| G | −−· |
| H | ···· |
| I | ·· |
| J | ·−−− |
| K | −·− |
| L | ·−·· |
| M | −− |
| N | −· |
| O | −−− |
| P | ·−−· |
| Q | −−·− |
| R | ·−· |
| S | ··· |
| T | − |
| U | ··− |
| V | ···− |
| W | ·−− |
| X | −··− |
| Y | −·−− |
| Z | −−·· |
FAQ
- Why is G a circle if its code has dashes?
- Shape marks the last step, not the whole letter. You reach G with · from M (−−). T and M are rectangles because the last step to each was −.
- Why is my letter not saved?
- You need a brief pause after releasing the key between letters. If you press again too soon, the app still thinks you are on the same letter.
- Is Pocket Morse free?
- Yes. You can support as Supporter; the decoder stays free.
- Can it decode radio audio?
- It is for key practice and simulation, not automatic audio decoding.